San Francisco Zen Center Dharma Talks
702 episodes - English - Latest episode: 25 days ago - ★★★★ - 153 ratingsDharma Talks given at San Francisco Zen Center
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Episodes
Our Own True Home—Dedicated to Caroline Meister
March 24, 2024 18:00 - 39 minutes03/24/2024, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk by Eijun Linda Cutts was offered and dedicated to Caroline Meister, a Tassajara resident whose accidental death touched so many with sorrow. The talk looks at the Koan “Daowu’s Condolence Call” Case 55 in the Blue Cliff Record, and the non-dual life of zazen and precepts.
Living A Full Life
March 23, 2024 18:00 - 51 minutes03/23/2024, Marc Lesser, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk Marc Lesser examines some instructions from Zen Mind Beginner's Mind, for living a full life; a life of practice, joy, grief, ordinary, and sacred.
Sun Face Buddha, Moon Face Buddha
March 21, 2024 03:00 - 40 minutes03/20/2024, Gendo Lucy Xiao, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Gendo Lucy Xiao explores case number 3 from the koan collection "The Blue Cliff Record” — the case known as “Master Ma is Unwell.” In the talk, Lucy discusses entering the path of awakening from right here, in the life we are living.
Seeing One Thing Through: The Zen Life And Teachings Of Sojun Mel Weitsman
March 16, 2024 18:00 - 51 minutes03/16/2024, Sojun Mel Weitsman - Norman Fischer - Andrea Thach - Susan Moon, book release at City Center. In this discussion, three long-time Zen practitioners discuss their experiences with Sojun Mel Weitsman, and highlight key portions of his autobiography and teachings. The discussion was held in celebration of the release of a new book about Sojun’s life and practice.
Walking into Loss and Grief – Walking Out Together!
March 14, 2024 03:00 - 39 minutes03/13/2024, Koshin Steven Tierney, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Koshin Steven Tierney discusses the experience of loss and grief, and how these very natural and individual human experiences unfold within spiritual community. We must attend to our grief, individually and collectively, in order to maintain healthy relationships and communities. Featuring Clint Smith’s poem “Expedience,” Grace Noll Crowell’s “Let Me Come in Friend,” and the Eihei Ko...
Song of the Trusting Mind
March 10, 2024 18:00 - 56 minutes03/10/2024, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The great Way is not difficult for those who hold no preferences, it is like vast space with nothing lacking and nothing extra. At the moment awareness turns around and illuminates itself, there is going beyond appearance and emptiness.
Everything Leans
March 09, 2024 19:00 - 31 minutesIn this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Teah Strozer reminds us everyone is enough — you, yourself, are perfect just as you are, even if, as Shunryu Suzuki Roshi said, we can also ‘use a little improvement.' In the talk, Teah shares stories about dependent arising and its relevance for today. She highlights the importance of not making divisions — not creating ideas of separate self and others — especially as the world deals with continued armed conflicts and political divisions.
The New Chevy V8
March 07, 2024 04:00 - 28 minutes"In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Gengyoko Time Wicks, the current tanto (head of practice) at SFZC City Center, uses the koan “Shishuang's 100 Foot Pole” to discuss deepening our practice. He also uses Eihei Dogen's “Eihei Koso Hotsuganmon” in discussing faith in practice and overcoming karmic responsibilities.
Harry Potter Zen
March 03, 2024 19:00 - 29 minutes03/03/2024, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk Thiemo Blank uses a scene from "Harry Potter" to playfully teach about penetrating the "Walls" in our lives as a journey of liberation.
Zen Is Good For You!
March 02, 2024 19:00 - 1 hourIn this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, visiting monk Yogetsu Akasaka discusses the contrasts he’s seen between Soto Zen in Japan and in the United States. Yogetsu explains the path he’s taken from touring as a beatbox musician, to preparing to one day inherit the temple that this father currently runs — with a particular focus on his interest in bringing the wisdom and teachings of Zen to the lives of everyday people. Featuring the virtues of toilet cleaning, herding 100 cats, and end...
Save Me, Save Us: ‘Salvation’ in Zen
February 24, 2024 19:00 - 43 minutesThe first of the four Great Bodhisattva Vows is to “save all beings,” but what exactly does this mean and how might I engage in such an impossible endeavor? In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, central abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman explores the concept of “salvation” from a Zen perspective, using as a springboard an amusing koan in which Zen master Nanquan saves his disciple Zhaozhou from falling into a well.
Save Me, Save Us: ‘Salvation’ in Zen
February 24, 2024 19:00 - 43 minutesThe first of the four Great Bodhisattva Vows is to “save all beings,” but what exactly does this mean and how might I engage in such an impossible endeavor? In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, central abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman explores the concept of “salvation” from a Zen perspective, using as a springboard an amusing koan in which Zen master Nanquan saves his disciple Zhaozhou from falling into a well.
Swimming Together In The Ocean Of Enlightenment
February 22, 2024 04:00 - 29 minutes02/21/2024, Shundo David Haye, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Shundo reflects on how a community based on zazen can help human flourishing and offer much-needed connection. Featuring an examination of selected sections of Eihei Dogen’s “Genjo Koan.”
Every Moment Is A Crossroads - How Will You Meet It?
February 18, 2024 19:00 - 44 minutes02/18/2024, Sonja Gardenswarz, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Zazen, a yogic practice, a word, an invitation, a posture, a pause in time, a space, a clearing between the edges of here and then. A space to breathe, to feel, to connect. What we choose to emphasize determines our lives. To be a disciple to and enact in each moment what matters is building a Seamless Monument, is living like a river flows. "To live as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, ...
Right View and Not-Knowing
February 17, 2024 19:00 - 58 minutesIn this talk, given during the second one-day sitting of the winter 2024 practice period, Abiding Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel discusses the power and peace of not-knowing. In the Zen tradition, ‘not-knowing’ is not the same as the ignorance or delusion of everyday life. When we deeply and fully ‘don’t know’ we are more able to be at peace with things as they really are, and can see and respond to circumstances of our world as they arise and pass in each moment. This talk was recorded during the...
Vow to Live the Life You’re Already Living
February 15, 2024 04:00 - 28 minutes02/14/2024, Kim Kōgen Daihō Hart, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Kim does a deep dive into the five remembrances to support us to live the life that we are already living with all its pain and preciousness.
Becoming Yourself
February 11, 2024 19:00 - 43 minutes02/11/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk, Abbot Jiryu reflects on Suzuki Roshi's core teaching that Zen practice is fundamentally about "becoming yourself," and explores the strong resonance there with the Silent Illumination teaching that awakening is right there when we sit still, exactly as we are.
Ceasefire
February 10, 2024 19:00 - 42 minutes02/10/2024, Shogen Jody Greene, dharma talk at City Center. This talk was given at Beginner's Mind Temple by Shogen Jody Greene. While Dōgen Zenji once described 'shikantaza' (just sitting) as “the dharma gate of repose and bliss,” our teachers have also reminded us of the ways in which working with our minds on the cushion can surface irritability, judgment, even hatred. Many of us struggle with our thoughts and struggle with our selves. This talk returns to the story of Seiko and the drago...
Embracing Zen with Change
February 08, 2024 04:00 - 29 minutesIn this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Rev. Eli explores how Zen practice, particularly the precepts, can be supportive when going through major life change—especially when dealing with loss of identity, decision making, and working with an inner critic. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical reflections, the talk emphasizes the role of Zen in fostering a deeper understanding of self and existence amidst change.
Practice Compassion Without Delay
February 04, 2024 19:00 - 47 minutes02/04/2024, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Avalokiteshvara in the Avatamsaka Sutra lets us know of the powerful practice of Great Compassion to meet the great challenges of our life.
The Power of Precepts
February 03, 2024 19:00 - 37 minutes02/03/2024, Onryu Mary Stares, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Onryu Mary Stares explores the current City Center Practice Period theme of the Bodhisattva precepts, describing her personal experiences of taking refuge and encouraging this vibrant practice.
Exploring Conditions and Consequences of Ethical Beliefs
January 27, 2024 19:00 - 43 minutesIn this talk, given during the first one-day sitting of the winter 2024 practice period, Abiding Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel discusses the sources and outcomes of the many different places and ways we construct our individual ethical frameworks. This talk was recorded during the January one-day sitting, held at Unity Church, a neighbor of San Francisco Zen Center’s City Center congregation.
All Living Beings Fully Possess The Wisdom And Virtues Of The Buddhas, And Yet...
January 21, 2024 19:00 - 36 minutes01/21/2024, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In the great flower adornment scripture, chapter 67, the Buddha says, “All sentient beings without exception, fully possess the wisdom and virtues of the Buddha, and yet because of misconceptions and attachments, they do not realize it.If they would only abandon these misconceptions and attachments, they would fully realize Buddhahood.” During this talk, there was some discussion of how to compassionately relate to misconcept...
What Is Community?
January 20, 2024 19:00 - 27 minutes01/20/2024, Kyoshin Wendy Lewis, dharma talk at City Center. Now our community is meeting only in the single room of the Zendo. What are some teachings on Sangha transformation in a Zendo? How can we see forms of the infinite, miraculous Dharma embedded through tradition and visualization in this shared space? This lecture explores such teachings in a verbal and visual presentation.
Beginner’s Mind Zendo: An Embodied Mandala of Sangha
January 18, 2024 04:00 - 24 minutes01/17/2024, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Shosan explores how we are practicing with the current physical changes to the temple space. This year, our urban temple is “residents out, contractors in.” Dogen Zenji once taught that Sangha Treasure appears equally in the vast openness of being or within a particle of dust; that to help people it can transform to an Ocean Storehouse or to sutras written on shells and leaves.
Courageously Practicing the Teaching of Suchness in the Midst of Illness and Fear
January 14, 2024 19:00 - 21 minutes01/14/2024, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk by Tenshin Reb Anderson considers how to apply the Teaching of Thusness to the significant outbreak of infection and disruption in the midst of our January meditation intensive.
Meeting the Moment and MLK, Jr.
January 13, 2024 19:00 - 42 minutesIn this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple on the weekend before Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Sozan Michael McCord unpacks many life events from this historic civil rights icon and looks at how he could have had a much more comfortable life at many turns, but instead chose the path that the times were calling for. In the Buddhist path, we are met every day with many small choices that no one will every know about—whether to say something, whether to do something, to move forward or w...
Is Every Day REALLY Good?
January 11, 2024 04:00 - 25 minutes01/10/2024, Anshi Zachary Smith, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, from Beginner's Mind Temple, Zachary discusses an often-used koan (teaching story): Yúnmén’s “Every day is a good day.” Zen, a Mahayana Buddhist school that theoretically eschews lists, dualities, categories of experience and other conceptual forms on the grounds that they’re empty, is nonetheless swimming in them. We’ll examine Case 6 of the Blue Cliff Record, in which Yúnmén, unquestionably one of the great Chán mas...
The Teaching of Thusness
January 07, 2024 19:00 - 37 minutes01/07/2024, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk is a contemplation of the Flower Adornment Scripture saying “Clearly observe the Dharma of the king of Dharma. The Dharma of the king of Dharma is thus.” Tenshin Reb Anderson is further relating this teaching to the first case in the Book of Serenity and the "Song of the Precious Mirror Samadhi."
Skillful View And Three Essential Aspects of Healing
January 06, 2024 19:00 - 51 minutesIn this talk, from Beginner's Mind Temple, Liên speaks about how Skillful View, in services of restoration, is about opening up to acknowledging harm and harming, (re)learning ways to be more skillful, and then enacting them. The talk also serves as an overview of the main points of Rev. Liên Shutt's new book, “Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path,” and how they can be applied to these crucial issues of our contemporary lives.
Live And Be Lived To Benefit All Beings
January 04, 2024 04:00 - 31 minutes01/03/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, from Beginner's Mind Temple, Tova speaks of the importance of sangha as we vow to be of benefit to all beings. This first talk of 2024 is also the first recorded in the City Center zendo, as renovations to our temple building are beginning.
Navigating Transitions
December 16, 2023 19:00 - 45 minutesIn light of several major transitions unfolding for SFZC and the sangha at large, including the upcoming yearlong renovation of Beginner’s Mind Temple, Abbot David offers dharma pointers for how we might relate to and navigate changes and transitions in our lives ─ both big and small, individual and collective ─ with some measure of mindfulness, clarity, composure, and equanimity. Recorded on December 16th, 2023.
The Secret of Zen Practice
December 03, 2023 19:00 - 51 minutes12/03/2023, Chosetsu Lauren Bouyea, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Suzuki Roshi said that beginner's mind - meeting the world and ourselves just-as-it-is - is the secret of Zen practice, but there are many powerful cultural and evolutionary forces that make remembering our beginner's minds the most difficult thing.
Buddhism and Philosophy
December 02, 2023 19:00 - 32 minutes12/02/2023, Kyoshin Wendy Lewis, dharma talk at City Center. This talk from Beginner's Mind Temple addresses the aspect of philosophy in the practice and study of Buddhism, based on the fourth - contemplation of the dharmas - of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. One of the qualities of philosophy and practice not usually explicitly referred to is poignancy, which includes the pathos of human nature and a realization of the unresolvability of the human condition.
You Gotta Friend
November 26, 2023 19:00 - 36 minutes11/26/2023, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In times of trouble, may the gracious teachings of the gentle Buddhas aid us in healing ourselves and the world.
Virya
November 25, 2023 19:00 - 24 minutesThis talk, from Beginner's Mind Temple, was given by City Center tanto (head of practice) Tim Wicks. Virya Paramita is often translated as "joyful" or "enthusiastic" energy. Working with the shadow side of energy — depression and low self-esteem — can also be a fruitful practice. Recorded on Nov. 25, 2023.
Thanksgiving Message
November 23, 2023 04:00 - 42 minutesThis talk, from Beginner's Mind Temple, was given by senior dharma teacher Ryushin Paul Haller. This talk was based on a Thanksgiving message from Brother David Steindl-Rast and examines how to sustain gratitude and be uplifted in the face of the difficulties and “bad news” of our lives. In dyads, attendees of the talk discussed the question: “What does it take for you to meet and be uplifted while acknowledging the bad news of life?” Recorded on Nov. 22, 2023.
Newts, Dogs, Lions, and Hara
November 19, 2023 19:00 - 43 minutes11/19/2023, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The one practice for every moment of our life is just to welcome and care for whatever is right here - why do we forget that so easily, and how can we train in staying with that?
Love's In Need of Love Today
November 18, 2023 19:00 - 40 minutesIn this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Greg Fain discusses how the new book “Home Is Here” by Rev. Keiryu Liên Shutt has influenced his practice, and the vital necessity of metta (loving kindness) practice. Recorded on Nov. 18, 2023.
Dualistic and Non-Dualistic Practice
November 09, 2023 04:00 - 38 minutesThis talk, from Beginner's Mind Temple, was given by senior dharma teacher Ryushin Paul Haller. Practicing with the Paramitas brings initially asks us to see the dualistic perspectives of the absence of the virtues of the Paramitas and to practice remedy that lacking. As we bring our lives into alignment with the Paramitas, we start to see how “perfection” and imperfection” are both merely aspects of discriminating mind. Recorded on Nov. 8, 2023.
Going On Intimate Pilgrimage
November 05, 2023 19:00 - 45 minutes11/05/2023, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. After finishing 11 days on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, Linda brings up the koan, Case 20 in the Book of Serenity, "Not Knowing is Most Intimate," which brings up the practice of pilgrimage.
Trusting the Moment
November 04, 2023 18:00 - 41 minutesThis talk, from Beginner's Mind Temple, was given by senior dharma teacher Ryushin Paul Haller. As we witness the war in the Middle East and the suffering it creates, it's challenging not to get caught in choosing which side has virtue and which is the aggressor. Practicing with the Paramitas of Mutual Benefit, Ethical Conduct and Patience can help us acknowledge the humanitarian tragedy of war that ravages everyone involved. Recorded on Nov. 4, 2023.
Buddha Samadhi
October 29, 2023 18:00 - 37 minutes10/29/2023, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. During this talk it was suggested that all Buddha ancestors who uphold the true Dharma have made it the true path of awakening to sit upright, practicing our individual samadhis in the midst of, in the presence of, the universal samadhi of all Buddha ancestors.
The Challenge of Anger, the Power of the Paramitas
October 28, 2023 18:00 - 42 minutesIn this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Shosan Victoria Austin discusses working skillfully with anger. Many ancient texts mention anger as an unwholesome emotion that undercuts or destroys our relationships and our true intention. However, we can practice using anger in wholesome ways, as an internal warning system for unmet needs, violated boundaries, and withheld respect. Developing skill with the energy of anger, we drop harmful habits of perception and action to cultivate appropriate r...
Fully Engaging Body and Mind: Wholehearted Practice
October 26, 2023 03:00 - 41 minutesIn this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Ryushin Paul Haller discusses how the practice of fully engaging body and mind is expressed through attention to posture and awareness in sitting zazen and wholeheartedness in the activities of daily life. Dogen zenji points out in Genjo Koan that there is a potential for a one-sided approach. When we bring that sensibility to the paramita of Sila, we can see how expressing Sila as virtue and ethics calls for the inquiry of appropriate response. That ...
Not Thinking Good and Evil
October 22, 2023 18:00 - 45 minutes10/22/2023, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. For those who have vowed to "do all good" and "avoid all evil," Zen offers a compassionate but counter-intuitive teaching, equally relevant to meditation and to the ethics of daily living: "do not think good or evil," but include absolutely everything.
Finding Clarity
October 21, 2023 18:00 - 26 minutesIn this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Marc Lesser discusses the conundrum of clarity. If you seek for clarity, you cannot find it. Clarity itself is necessary before you can acquire or find clarity. Recorded on Oct. 21, 2023.
Finding the Genjo Koan in Everyday Circumstances
October 19, 2023 03:00 - 45 minutesIn this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, given by Ryushin Paul Haller, two different circumstances are described to illustrate how the teachings of the Genjo Koan can guide how to practice with challenging events. The first event is working with persistent thoughts in zazen, and the second is working with interactions that arouse distress and frustration. Recorded on Oct. 18, 2023.
Why Put on the Robe at the Sound of the Bell?
October 15, 2023 18:00 - 45 minutes10/15/2023, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk, Kokyo discusses Case 16 in the Gateless Barrier koan collection: The world is so vast and wide - why do you always put on the robe at the sound of the bell?...When in the heard there is just the heard, there is no "you" in relation to that.
The Treasure of Sangha
October 14, 2023 18:00 - 48 minutes10/14/2023, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, on the occasion of SFZC’s Members and Volunteers Appreciation Day, central abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman speaks to the value and place of Sangha in our practice, highlighting some of the benefits as well as the challenges. If we want to create a harmonious and vibrant community that supports our personal and collective liberation, then we need to make the time and effort to invest in Sangh...