The SFZC Audio Archive

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Title Speaker Date

Sailing Life's Zen Waters

Serial: KR-00338 The talk delves into Zen philosophy, emphasizing life's intrinsic clarity and freedom through the metaphor of a man riding a boat, highlighting life as a continuous "transparent emancipation." It underscores Dogen's teaching that...
Three Treasures, realization, Religion, Hate, Anger, confusion
Oct 08 1972

Discovering Zen in Daily Life

Serial: RB-00483 The talk, delivered on October 8, 1972, delves into the expansive nature of zazen beyond its traditional posture, encouraging a natural discovery of meditation practices amidst daily activities. It addresses the importance of...
Buddha Nature, Posture, Karma, Instruction
Oct 08 1972

Zen Pathways to Joyful Practice

Serial: RB-00482 The talk centers on the nature of Zen practice, emphasizing three main opportunities: the path or Sangha, the teacher and their instructions, and personal effort. It outlines three entrances into practice—vital energy (prana),...
Practice Period, Posture, Breath, Chanting, Bowing
Oct 06 1972

Zen Transparency: Living Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00337 The talk centers on Dogen's concept of "Transparent Emancipation" as articulated in the chapter "Zenki" from the Shobo Genzo. The discussion explores the distinctions between mere emancipation and transparent emancipation,...
Concentration, realization, Hate, Breath, lecture, Patience, Oneness, confusion, Emotions,...
Oct 1972

Shaping Life's Transformative Journey

Serial: KR-00339 The talk centers on the concept of life as an "empty cup" or "boat," which are metaphors for potential and transformation. Essentially, the speaker emphasizes that life is inherently empty and formless, allowing individuals to...
Enemies, Religion, American
Oct 1972

Perception's Journey: Returning to Mountains

Serial: KR-00340 The talk explores the three stages of perception in Zen practice, drawing on the metaphor of "mountain is mountain" and examining how it shifts over the stages. Initially, the mountain and river are perceived as they are,...
Don't Know Mind, Silence, Lay, Delusion, Anger, Emotions, Hate
Oct 1972

Embracing Life and Death Dynamism

Serial: KR-00341 This transcript presents a complex discussion on the philosophical concepts of life and death as manifestations of total dynamism, drawing on Dogen's Zen teachings. The argument is made that both life and death exist within the...
Birth-and-Death, Oneness, American, Culture, Buddha Nature, Hate, Funeral, realization...
Oct 1972

Beyond Stepladder Zen

Serial: RB-00481 The talk focuses on the challenges of scheduling and maintaining a rigorous Zen practice period at Tassajara, emphasizing the importance of overcoming self-involvement and anxiety to achieve genuine practice. It illustrates that...
Practice Period, Priest, Dokusan, Soto Zen, Tozan
Oct 01 1972

Zen in Daily Community Life

Serial: RB-00480 The talk discusses the successful retention of Green Gulch Farm by the Zen Center after government intervention and highlights the significance of practicing Zen within community settings. The concept of interconnected practice...
Big Mind, Don't Know Mind, Priest, Community, Culture
Sep 26 1972

Embrace Discomfort as Your Teacher

Serial: RB-00479 The transcript discusses the intrinsic discomfort in Zen practice as a teaching tool and the importance of perceiving discomfort as guidance. Central to the talk is the idea that everything in life can serve as a teacher, and...
uchiyama, Priest, Dream World, Building, Continuous Practice
Sep 16 1972

Zen Living Through Everyday Practice

Serial: KR-00335 The talk emphasizes three core practices of Buddhism: Zazen, bowing, and conduct at mealtime, urging practitioners to understand Zen practice within the broader context of Buddhist teachings. The speaker discusses the nature of...
Nirvana, Three Treasures, Posture, Discrimination, Bowing, causation, Greed, Patience,...
Aug 12 1972

Embracing Existence Through Shared Life

Serial: KR-00249 The talk emphasizes the interconnectedness of life and death within all beings, as articulated through the concept of "sharing life in common" among incalculable dharmas. It discusses the intrinsic essence underlying individual...
Patience, Pain, Bodhisattva Vow, Suffering, Vow, realization
Aug 11 1972

Unveiling the Essence of Life Force

Serial: KR-00247 The talk explores the concept of life force as explained by Dogen, emphasizing its attributes of transparent emancipation and manifest completeness. Life force is presented as the essential basis of life, which must not be viewed...
Dharma Transmission, Gratitude, Delusion, Transmission, Hindrances, realization, Hate, lecture...
Aug 09 1972

Living Zen: Embracing Each Moment

Serial: KR-00248 The talk discusses the essential Zen teaching on the presence and the nature of life and death as manifestations of dynamic working, referencing the concepts of Buddha nature and the practice of Shikantaza as elucidated by Dogen...
Silence, lecture, Rinzai, Pain, Duality, Bell, Ceremony, Community, realization, Suffering...
Aug 09 1972

Embracing Stillness: Zen's Triple Refuge

Serial: KR-00246 This talk explores the significance of the triple refuge in Zen Buddhism: taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The discussion emphasizes the concept of "stillness" as a profound state beyond the ordinary dichotomy of...
Patience, realization, Pain, Three Treasures, Suffering, Enemies, Hate, Chanting, Anger...
Aug 08 1972

Transparent Emancipation of Ceaseless Effort

Serial: KR-00245 This talk explores Dogen's explanation of "transparent emancipation," which posits that life emancipates life and death emancipates death, thereby transcending the cycles of birth and death. The metaphor of "pouring water into a...
Birth-and-Death, Suffering, Happiness, Community, realization, Instruction, Pain...
Aug 07 1972

Embrace the Bottomless Effort

Serial: KR-00244 The talk focuses on the Zen concept of "transparent effort" and examines life's unfathomable nature through the metaphor of a "bucket with no bottom." The speaker emphasizes the continual action of engaging in life without...
stubbornness, Funeral, Happiness
Aug 06 1972

Zen and the Dance of Being

Serial: KR-00243 The talk explores the concept of "Zenki" or "total dynamic working" from the Shobo Genzo, emphasizing the integration of contemplative insight and dynamic activity in understanding human nature through Buddha's teachings. It...
realization, confusion, Buddha Nature, lecture, Pain, Silence
Aug 06 1972

Embodying Buddha Nature Through Presence

Serial: KR-00242 The talk focuses on the Zen practice of Shikantaza, emphasizing its distinction from the Rinzai Zen approach, and highlights the belief that all beings are inherently Buddha. The speaker recalls teachings from Shakyamuni Buddha...
Buddha Nature, lecture, Ceremony, Building, Rinzai, confusion
Aug 05 1972

Seed of Enlightenment Revealed

Serial: RB-00485 The talk explores the teachings of Seppo, particularly his comparison of the world to a seed from the Blue Cliff Records. It emphasizes the theme of understanding enlightenment as an intrinsic state rather than an external...
First Principle, Vow, Evil, Bodhisattva Vow
Jul 08 1972

Zen's Cross-Cultural Wisdom Journey

Serial: RB-00477 The talk discusses the relationship between East Coast intellectuals and Zen practice, noting a sociological contrast with West Coast practitioners drawn to Zen through direct engagement with Zazen. It emphasizes the importance...
Culture, Buddha Nature, Posture, Evil, Community
Jul 06 1972

Embracing Desires in Buddha Nature

Serial: RB-00476 The talk addresses the concept of Buddha nature, focusing on distinguishing subjective and objective self-awareness. The central thesis emphasizes that desires—often regarded as evil—are integral to one's Buddha nature when...
Evil, Bodhidharma, Buddha Nature, Rinzai, Heart Sutra
Jul 04 1972

Beyond Seclusion: Embracing Zen Stillness

Serial: RB-00475 The talk focuses on the practice of Zen meditation as a path to achieving a profound mental calmness that transcends physical seclusion. It explores themes such as the relationship between posture and breath, the significance of...
Perfect Wisdom, Commitment, Pain, Breath, Bell
Jun 10 1972

Everyday Enlightenment through Zen Routine

Serial: RB-00474 The talk primarily addresses the psychological and practical aspects of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of commitment, the challenges of adhering to monastic rules, and the intricate understanding of koans. It highlights...
Commitment, Ordinary Mind, Sesshin, Bowing, Intimacy
Jun 07 1972

Zen in Each Moment

Serial: RB-00473 The talk discusses the practice and philosophy of Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the necessity for a continuous and self-sustained practice without relying on external validation or rigid instruction. It outlines how Suzuki Roshi,...
Culture, Priest, Concentration, Commitment, Bell
Jun 06 1972

Commitment in Zen Practice

Serial: RB-00472 The talk discusses the importance of commitment in Zen practice, emphasizing three phases akin to the three refuges: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The focus is on maintaining commitment during tough phases of practice without...
Commitment, Sangha, Posture, Sesshin
Jun 05 1972

Zen Wholeness Through Zazen

Serial: RB-00471 The talk emphasizes the practice of Zazen and the idea of wholeness in Zen practice. It discusses how thoughts and actions should arise spontaneously and naturally without the interference of deliberative thinking. This natural...
Shikantaza, Buddha Nature, Breath, Karma, Compassion
Jun 04 1972

Embracing Calm Through Daily Zazen

Serial: RB-00470 The talk explores the concept of achieving calmness of mind through Zazen practice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining this tranquility amidst distractions and daily activities. It underscores the necessity of consistent...
Dream World, Sesshin, Pain, Silence, Sangha
Jun 03 1972

Facing the Absolute in Zen

Serial: RB-00469 The talk centers on the question "What is the Absolute?" and how one can face it. Drawing on various Zen texts and historical accounts, the discussion delves into stories involving Seppo and his disciples to illustrate the...
Tozan, First Principle, Soto Zen, War
May 27 1972

Embracing the Absolute with Zen

Serial: RB-00468 The talk analyzes Zen teachings by exploring the themes of the Absolute and the unreliability of tangible concepts through Zen stories like one from the Hekigan Roku (Blue Cliff Record) about Seppo and the appearance of a snake...
Tozan, First Principle, Heart Sutra, resistance
May 26 1972

Embracing Ignorance: The Zen Response

Serial: RB-00467 The talk discusses Blue Cliff Record case number 18, focusing on the Zen concept of an "untiered monument" and the significance of the response "I don't know" in interactions with emperors and political figures. The discussion...
Silence, Bodhidharma, Buddha Nature, War, Letting Go
May 20 1972

Eternal Echoes of Zen Practice

Serial: RB-00465 The talk explores the lineage of Zen practice and the intricate, often ineffable nature of teachings passed down from one teacher to another. It emphasizes living each moment fully without conceptualizing time and the challenges...
War, Lineage, Peace, Vow, Breath
May 17 1972

Zen Moments: Breathing and Being

Serial: RB-00464 The talk delves into the historical lineage and the continuity of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of moment-to-moment awareness in practice. Key points include the analogy of time and practice, the significance of...
Breath, Bodhidharma, Truth, causation, Koan
May 13 1972

Zen and Tantra: Deep Relationships

Serial: RB-00463 This talk delves into the examination of Zen and Tantric Buddhism, specifically drawing comparisons between Zen koans and Tantric meditation techniques. Emphasis is placed on the themes of relationship, question and answer...
Delusion, Truth, Koan, Mahayana, Community
May 10 1972

Zen Gardens as Living Memorials

Serial: RB-00466 The talk discusses the creation of a cemetery for Suzuki Roshi, emphasizing the symbolic importance of his garden at Tassajara as a living monument. The speaker reflects on the relevance of history and tradition in Zen practice,...
Ceremony, Dragons, Building, Buddha Nature, Bodhidharma
May 10 1972

Echoes of Practice, Voices of Zen

Serial: RB-00462 This talk centers on the practice and philosophy of Zen, emphasizing the significance of repetitive practice, the teaching of non-sentient beings, and the importance of community and mutual support in Zen practice. It outlines...
Bodhidharma, Breath, Attachment, Mahayana, Koan
May 09 1972

Pure Presence in Zen Practice

Serial: RB-00461 The lecture from May 6th, 1972, centers on the Zen Buddhist practice of zazen and doksan, emphasizing the fundamental principle of not adding anything to oneself. The discussion elucidates the practice of taking refuge in the...
Sangha, Attachment, Posture, Money, realization
May 06 1972

Living the Paradox of Zen

Serial: RB-00460 The talk delves into the complexities of communicating and understanding Buddhism, emphasizing the challenges in simplifying its concepts. Two key points are highlighted: the necessity of openness among practitioners for...
Bodhidharma, First Principle, Dragons, Love, Passions
Apr 29 1972

Breaking Free from Self-Imposed Shells

Serial: RB-00459 This talk focuses on the metaphor of a shell to describe personal and spiritual limitations, referencing Model Subject Number 16 from the Blue Cliff Records. It emphasizes the importance of self-realization and the inner journey...
Anger, Community, Vow, Sangha, Freedom
Apr 22 1972

Buddha Nature Beyond Ideas

Serial: RB-00458 This talk, given on April 8th, 1972, primarily explores the conceptualization of Buddha nature versus human nature and the distinction between performing actions naturally and actions directed by our Buddha nature. It delves into...
Buddha Nature, Buddha's Birthday, Sangha, Ceremony, Offering
Apr 08 1972

Zen's Path Through Sesshins

Serial: RB-00457 The talk discusses the purpose and practice of sesshins within Zen Buddhism, emphasizing that although challenging, they serve as a straightforward method of practice compared to daily continuous practices. Highlights include...
Vow, Posture, Community, Mahayana, Sesshin
Apr 07 1972

Buddhism in Daily Acts

Serial: RB-00456 The central thesis of the talk emphasizes the simplicity of daily life and practice as the essence of Buddhism, captured in the anecdote of "washing your face and putting on your clothes," contrasting this with deeper...
Doubt, Buddha Nature, Culture, Sesshin, Faith
Apr 06 1972

Solitary Path to Buddha Nature

Serial: RB-00455 Summary The talk emphasizes the solitary nature of zazen practice, suggesting that true transmission of Buddhism comes through individual introspection and solitary practice without external guidance. It highlights that...
Buddha Nature, Death, Intimacy, Precepts, Bell
Apr 05 1972

Awakening Harmony in Everyday Life

Serial: KR-00269 The talk explores the concepts of practicing Gyoji and achieving full awareness in daily life, emphasizing Dogen's teachings on living in complete attunement with one's inherent Buddha nature. The speaker examines the importance...
Buddha Nature, Gratitude, Funeral, Hate, Silence, Building, Interdependence, Interview,...
Apr 04 1972

Embracing Awareness Through Shikantaza

Serial: RB-00454 The talk delves into the practice of shikantaza, emphasizing its role in fostering intimacy with oneself and everything else. It contrasts shikantaza with mere concentration, explaining that shikantaza involves an inclusive...
Shikantaza, Sambhogakaya, Dharmakaya, Sesshin, Nirmanakaya
Apr 04 1972

Personal Pathways to Enlightenment

Serial: RB-00453 The talk discusses the challenges of guiding individual practice in daily life, emphasizing that practice is deeply personal and enlightenment is found in one’s unique approach. Practice evolves through three stages: individual...
Vow, Suffering, Compassion, First Principle, Daily Life
Apr 03 1972

Harmony in Zen: Practice and Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00267 The talk explores the dichotomy between practice and explanation in Zen, drawing from the teachings of Koukaku Daishi and Dogen. It highlights the rigorous practice of Ungo Doyo Zen Master under Tozan Zen Master, illustrating the...
Birth-and-Death, Bell, Posture, Attachment, Evil, Hate, Pain, American
Apr 02 1972

Zen in Everyday Sitting

Serial: RB-00110 The talk on April 2nd, 1972, focuses on the relationship between Zen practice and everyday life, with an emphasis on the concept of "just sitting" or Shikantaza as an essential foundation for diverse forms of practice. Various...
Shikantaza, Tozan, Gutei, Monkey Mind
Apr 02 1972

Dying to Self, Embracing Oneness

Serial: RB-00452 The talk discusses the practice of understanding and transcending self-knowledge within Buddhist philosophy. It compares the Buddhist idea of selflessness with the Western concept of self-awareness, exemplified by Socrates. The...
Love, Sesshin, Faith, Death, Nirmanakaya
Apr 02 1972

Interwoven Paths of Zen Actualization

Serial: KR-00268 The talk explores the intertwined paths of Zen practice, focusing on the teachings of Tozan Daishi and Ungo Doyo Daisho, emphasizing that Gyoji, Zen's practice, involves both teaching and actualizing the Dhamma. The discourse...
Interdependence, difficulty, Teacher-and-Student, Dragons, Consciousness, Ego, Evil,...
Apr 1972

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