San Francisco Zen Center Dharma Talks

Love and Power

Zen practices for practicing with the shadow side of intimacy. Maitreya's posture that supports future awakening while safely holding challenges and celebrations of the present moment. 11/14/2020, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at City Center.

A Special Dharma Talk from Hoitsu Suzuki Roshi

In his first ever Zoom talk, Hoitsu Suzuki Roshi speaks on zazen, Sandokai, and his father Shunryu Suzuki Roshi; Yuki Kobiyama translates.

Kind Speech Turns the Destiny of a Nation

The day after President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris gave their acceptance speeches the Dharma wheel is turned with joy and the spirit of getting to work. 11/08/2020, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Finding Our Home the Heart of All Beings

In times of suffering bodhisattvas come forward. 11/07/2020, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center.

Warm Heart Zazen

Suzuki Roshi’s teaching on warm-hearted zazen practice is the coming together of wisdom and compassion, and can be illuminated by Dr. King’s teaching on the three kinds of love. 11/01/2020, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Transformation of Suffering

The Place of Awakening

An ancient Buddha sat by a tree for ten eons - how will we sit right here at this place of awakening? 10/25/2020, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Practicing with the Impossible

Practicing with the upside mind knowing it's the very mind of Buddha. 10/24/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center.

Letting Wisdom Undo You

Manjushri and the mind illumined by prajna. 10/21/2020, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center.

Wisdom: Seeing Clearly

The practice of developing prajna/wisdom. 10/17/2020, Dana Takagi, dharma talk at City Center.

You Think I’m A Woman?

Insights from the Therigata, "The First Free Women," and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 10/11/2020, Furyu Shroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Boddhisattvas: Beyond Fixed Ideas, Beyond Gender

What does it mean to save every being? 10/10/2020, Tenku Ruff, dharma talk at City Center.

The Life of Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha and the hero's journey. 10/07/2020, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center.

Division and Connection

Considering how Zen Bodhisattva practice supports us to cultivate the capacity to be in complexity and not-knowing. 10/04/2020, Dojin Sarah Emerson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Blue Lotus Blooming

A lecture on the steadfast practice of the Bodhisattva; awakening beings. 10/03/2020, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center.

Bodhisattvas for a Troubled World

An introduction to the Fall Practice Period. Fierce Compassion: Enacting Bodhisattva Principles in a troubled world. 09/30/2020, Abbots Tenzen David Zimmerman and Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center.

Zen Practice Is Questioning And Being Questioned

09/27/2020, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm Tenshin Reb Anderson shares Zen stories as he demonstrates and teaches that Zen practice is questioning and being questioned. Ancient Zen ancestors throughout the past have found a way to meet one another through inquiry. Face to face, they saw buddha-nature reflected in one another. Following their path, we can do the same in today's crises. Mutuality is the whole of the way.

Bodhisattva Vow and a Life of Service

09/26/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Ryushin Paul Haller gives insight into the inclination to reach beyond our limits. In Zen ceremonies, we vow discover a path to wider notion of wellbeing. Despite our karma, our stories, the challenges- we try to live in service of others. Navigating the paradox of existence gives vitality to each moment. This liberation and effort echoes far beyond what we can ever know.

The Six Qualitative Factors

A teaching about zazen practice, drawing on Guishan's water buffalo and the Six Qualitative Factors of tranquility, agility, pliancy, workableness, proficiency, and uprightness. 09/20/2020, Sojun Mel Weitsman, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

The Two Wings of Practice

Tibetan Buddhist teacher Anam Thubten offers a rich view of practicing balance between compassion and wisdom. He reminisces about his own love of the Heart Sutra, and his personal relationship with Avalokiteshvara- the bodhisattva of compassion. For a time, he leaned too much into wisdom and lost compassion. Bringing this bodhisattva back into his consciousness allowed him to find joy and novelty in emptiness. Practicing upaya (skillful means) and prajna (wisdom), we can find a balance in a s...

The Two Wings of Practice - Anam Thubten (video)

Tibetan Buddhist teacher Anam Thubten offers a rich view of practicing balance between compassion and wisdom. He reminisces about his own love of the Heart Sutra, and his personal relationship with Avalokiteshvara- the bodhisattva of compassion. For a time, he leaned too much into wisdom and lost compassion. Bringing this bodhisattva back into his consciousness allowed him to find joy and novelty in emptiness. Practicing upaya (skillful means) and prajna (wisdom), we can find a balance in a s...

Dharma Talk - Anam Thubten

09/19/2020, Anam Thubten, dharma talk at City Center.

I Call on the Power of Infinite Compassion

Basic teachings and practices for these challenging times of Pandemic Practice. 09/13/2020, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Vulnerability

Suzuki Roshi teaches to let the obnoxious squawking bluejay right into our heart - could that practice help us in the overwhelm of these times? 09/12/2020, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at City Center.

Wash Your Bowls

Studying anger and the Sattipatthana Sutra. 09/09/2020, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center.

The Price of Rice in Luling

Abiding Green Gulch Abbess Fu Schroeder discusses the world in crisis through the lens of ancient Buddhist teachings. 09/06/2020, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

When Karma Becomes Vow

Zazen and the interruption of the single-mindedness to keep our lives moving. 09/05/2020, Horin Nancy Petrin, dharma talk at City Center.

It Actually Is You

09/02/2020, Anshi Zachary Smith, dharma talk at City Center.

Overwhelm

Reflecting on teachings from Thich Nhat Hanh, Suzuki Roshi, and others on how to find the medicine for overwhelm in this overwhelming time. 08/30/2020, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Love, White Privilege, and Diversity

08/29/2020, Kyoshin Wendy Lewis, dharma talk at City Center.

Devotely Do

Buddhist practices for these times: awareness, effort, patience and love. 08/26/2020, Shinchi Linda Galijan, dharma talk at City Center.

Vow, The Bodhisattvas' Endless Practice

Practicing endless commitment to compassion and the Bodhisattva's Vows in this time of crisis and great call to action. 08/23/2020, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Are You With Me?

Manifesting our best selves, manifesting Bodhicitta in the world. 08/22/2020, Karla Jackson-Brewer, dharma talk at City Center.

Listening: The Bodhisattvas' Reply

Deep Listening: Zazen and opening the hand of thought. 08/16/2020, Horin Nancy Petrin, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

What is Alive in this Moment?

08/15/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center.

Confession and Repentance: the Pure and Simple Color of True Practice

A talk on the 50th anniversary of Tenshin Roshi's ordination, reflecting on the call to silence and the call not to be silent, and the practice of confession and repentance as we face global injustice and come to terms with white privilege. 08/09/2020, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

The Dharma-Expounding of Insentient Beings

Everything happening in this world is an expression of the Dharma (as expressed in the Lotus Sutra), so how can we turn our listening around? 08/08/2020, Shōhaku Okumura, dharma talk at City Center.

The Teachings of Chan Master Sheng Yen

A student and dharma heir's reflection of the teachings of her teacher and working with him as his translator. 08/05/2020, Rebecca Li, dharma talk at City Center.

Do Not Overlook What Is Right in Front of You

Taking up the core teaching of Dōgen's practice and study inspired by John Lewis. 08/02/2020, Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Taking 100% Responsibility

Buddhist practices which support and awaken those who practice them to take action. 08/01/2020, Kiku Christina Lehnerr, dharma talk at City Center.

Joy, Honoring John Lewis

07/22/2020, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center.

Insight Into Implicit Bias

07/21/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at Tassajara.

The Subject Today Is Love

07/19/2020, Kiku Christina Lehnherr, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

Inclusive Communities

A Dharma perspective on practicing in an inclusive community. 07/18/2020, Crystal A. Johnson, dharma talk at City Center.

Smashing Pumpkins

07/16/2020, Heather Shoren Iarusso, dharma talk at Tassajara.

Justice is in Conversation

7/12/2020, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk and discussion at Green Gulch Farm.

Reweaving With Our Women Ancestors

07/11/2020, Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center.

Tenzo Kyokun Series 2 of 3

07/08/2020, Bryan Clark, dharma talk at City Center.

Devoted to Walking among People

07/05/2020, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.

07/04/2020, Sojun Mel Weitsman, dharma talk at City Center.

07/04/2020, Sojun Mel Weitsman, dharma talk at City Center.