The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-09488 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-07-21 The main thesis of the talk is an exploration of self and practice through Zen teachings, emphasizing the non-duality in Zen practice via the concepts of "nothing special" and the interconnectedness of life and Zazen practice....

Serial: SF-08297 07/20/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. This talk was given at one of Beginner's Mind Temple’s pop-up events at Unity Church, by Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman. Dogen Zenji’s beautiful and inspiring... The talk analyzes Dogen Zenji's essay "Bodhisattva Shishobo" from the Shobo Genzo, focusing on the four essential practices for a bodhisattva: giving, kind speech, beneficial action, and identity action. The discourse outlines...

Serial: SF-08637 Talk by Bussho Salon Week Dan Gudgel Tim Wicks Kim Hart at City Center on 2024-07-17 The talk explores Dogen's critique of representations in Zen, specifically analyzing the depiction of Nagarjuna as a painted rice cake metaphor. It emphasizes Dogen's commentary on distinguishing authentic practice from...

Serial: SF-09534 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-07-14 This talk explores the Zen concept of "just this is it" and the study of the self in the context of Dogen's teachings, particularly from "Genjo Koan" and Dongshan's "Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi." The discussion highlights...

Serial: SF-08282 Talk by Nancy Petrin at Tassajara on 2024-07-13 The talk focuses on the establishment and evolution of Enzo Village as a Zen-inspired senior living community, detailing its integration of Zen practices and the challenges of creating a communal identity. This includes...

Serial: SF-08640 Bussho Salon  The session discusses the exploration of Dogen's teachings, particularly focusing on the notions of time and Buddha nature as described in the Zen text Shobogenzo. The discussion emphasizes the interplay of time and being in...

Serial: SF-09485 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-07-07 The discourse primarily examines the ideas presented in "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Shunryu Suzuki, focusing on the pitfalls of being goal-oriented in Zen practice, specifically via the chapter "Mistakes in Practice". It...

Serial: SF-08251 07/06/2024, Peter Coyote, dharma talk at City Center. This talk was given by Zen teacher, actor, poet and artist Peter Coyote. The talk, which Peter describes as “disguised as a dharma-way talk” recounts how the deepening grip of... The talk explores the integration of Zen practice with social activism and personal development, emphasizing the importance of combining spiritual insight with practical, political engagement. It discusses the speaker's personal...

Serial: SF-08329 Talk by Bussho Salon Week Tim Wicks Kim Hart Dan Gudgel at City Center on 2024-07-03 The talk provides an exploration of Eihei Dogen's teachings, focusing on the historical and philosophical context of his work "Busho", also known as "Buddha Nature". It outlines Dogen's life during the period known as Mappo—the...

Serial: SF-08595 Bussho Salon Week The talk focuses on the history and context surrounding the Japanese Zen master Dogen, particularly the creation and significance of the fascicle "Busho." It provides an outline of Dogen's life, detailing his...

Serial: SF-08651 Bussho Salon The talk examines the intersection of Taoism and Buddhism, emphasizing the caution required when considering analogous concepts such as Buddha nature within Taoism. It explores how Dogen, a prominent Zen master, utilized diverse...

Serial: SF-08237 06/30/2024, Myoju Erin Merk, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Myoju Shinjin Erin Merk on Pride Day 2024 in a celebration of gratitude and Queer Joy. This is Erin's first talk following... The talk acknowledges Pride Day and reflects on the significance of the Stonewall Riots and ongoing LGBTQIA+ resistance. It transitions into a discussion on the Dharma Transmission Ceremony experienced over 21 days at Green Gulch...

Serial: SF-09816 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-06-30 The talk discusses the nuances of Zen practice, emphasizing Suzuki Roshi's insights from "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," notably the pitfalls of idealistic and competitive practices. It explores the importance of critique over...

Serial: SF-08380 06/23/2024, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Case 35 in the Gateless Barrier koan collection tells the story of Qian's spirit being divided between following her heart and being responsible by following obligations... The talk explores the theme of non-duality within the Zen tradition, using stories and koans to emphasize direct experience and self-realization. Historical references include Master Wutsu and contemporary philosophical...

Serial: SF-09528 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-06-16 The talk discusses the transient nature of sensory events and the human tendency to create stories from sensory inputs, emphasizing the Buddhist concept of "dependent origination" and the role of the mind in shaping personal...

Serial: SF-08383 06/15/2024, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center. This talk was given at Beginner's Mind Temple, by Sozan Michael McCord. The Zen Buddhist path can seem like one that is spare, determined and somewhat serious;... The talk explores the concept of joy as a fundamental aspect of Zen and Buddhist practice, juxtaposed with the traditionally perceived seriousness of Buddhist teachings. It emphasizes the idea that joy stems from the...

Serial: SF-08658 Talk by Keido Keith Baker at City Center on 2024-06-12 The talk focuses on the Han's teachings regarding the impermanence of life, emphasizing its connection to the Zen practice of Zazen and the contemplation of birth and death. The Han serves as a reminder to be present and mindful...

Serial: SF-08277 06/09/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk, Jiryu reflects on the practice of shikantaza, just sitting, as a Way that is fundamentally different than technique-based meditation. This talk explores the practice of Zen, emphasizing "just sitting" or Shikantaza, highlighting the importance of sincerity and presence over rigid techniques. The speaker discusses feeling disconnected from life and advocates for...

Serial: SF-09545 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-06-09 The talk explores the interface between "big mind" and "small mind," delving into the dynamic balance of knowing and not knowing, sound and silence, and the two truths of relative and ultimate reality. The speaker references...

Serial: SF-08470 06/08/2024, Mushim Patricia Ikeda, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, San Francisco Zen Center, Muslim Ikeda examines the question, How can Zen practice be of benefit to more people during... The talk explores the challenges of maintaining spiritual vows amid contemporary global crises, referencing the Zen practice of embracing uncertainty exemplified in the phrase "I do not know." The discussion connects this to...

Serial: SF-08649 Talk by Kogen Kim Hart at City Center on 2024-06-05 The talk, titled "Beyond Words: Experiencing Reality Directly," explores the Zen practice of Zazen, emphasizing freedom from habitual responses and the fundamental misinterpretation of reality. Central themes include the...

Serial: SF-08693 Talk by Unclear at City Center on 2024-06-01 The talk focuses on the recitation and significance of the Heart Sutra, emphasizing the concept of emptiness and the importance of various Zen figures and teachers in the transmission of Dharma. It also discusses the recitation...

Serial: SF-08698 Talk by Unclear at City Center on 2024-06-01 The talk explores the practice of Zazen, focusing on transcending dualities and shedding attachments as taught by Keizan. It emphasizes resting in one's inherent nature through the practice of Zazen or Shikantaza as a form of non...

Serial: SF-08454 06/01/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple’s monthly one-day sitting, (this time held at Haight Street Art Center) Abbot David shares highlights of his recent... The talk emphasizes the importance of internalizing Zen practice to transcend the need for specific physical locations or conditions, highlighting Keizan Jokin's influence on Soto Zen and his efforts to make it accessible and...