San Francisco Zen Center Dharma Talks
724 episodes - English - Latest episode: 30 days ago - ★★★★ - 155 ratingsDharma Talks given at San Francisco Zen Center
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Episodes
Hsueh Feng’s What Is It
February 19, 2023 19:00 - 41 minutes02/19/2023, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Dogen Zenji said, “Breathing in or breathing out, after all, what is it?” No one can tell what it is.
Finding Balance in a Complex World
February 18, 2023 19:00 - 41 minutes02/18/2023, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Centering in body and breath helps cultivate the the capacity to respond rather than react to life’s challenges.
Saying Yes to What’s Happening
February 16, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes02/15/2023, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Zen practice emphasizes meeting each situation “face to face” - that is, meeting it fully with radical honesty. How do remember to do so when it’s unpleasant?
Suffering and the End of Suffering
February 12, 2023 19:00 - 30 minutes02/12/2023, Fu Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Knowing the grief and despair that humans suffer in their lifetimes, the Buddha offered teachings to lessen the impact of those losses through practices based in compassion and wisdom. By coming to a greater understanding of the causes of suffering -namely desire and ignorance - the Buddha showed us the same pathway to freedom that he had found.
Nurturing a Kind Mind
February 11, 2023 19:00 - 40 minutes02/11/2023, Onryu Mary Stares, dharma talk at City Center. In a culture where we are going faster and faster, this talk gives one permission and encouragement to slow down and reflect.
Looking for Goldbug
February 05, 2023 19:00 - 41 minutes02/05/2023, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch. In this talk, Jiryu raises the line chanted before Zen lectures, "I vow to taste the truth of Tathagata's words," and reflects on what it could mean for us not just to listen to formal talks with this heart, but to live our whole life in every moment in this way, looking deeply for the element of truth and beauty and liberative teaching in each thing that arises.
Bodhidharma’s Four Inclusive Practices
February 04, 2023 19:00 - 51 minutes02/04/2023, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. In commemorating Zen’s first Chinese Ancestor, Abbot David provides an overview of Bodhidharma’s seminal work, the “Outline of Practice”, which posits that there are essentially two ways to enter the path of Zen ─ by ‘Principle’ and by ‘Practice’. He describes the four all-inclusive habits that Bodhidharma says lead to awakening, with particular focus on that of “accepting adversity”.
Everybody Has A Light
January 28, 2023 19:00 - 42 minutes01/28/2023, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. The light is the capacity to be aware. In sitting zazen we immerse in the endless variety of Being. Each time we are aware of what’s happening, that moment reveals the particular Being of the moment and shows us who and what we are.
Practice Period Opening Ceremony
January 26, 2023 04:00 - 37 minutes01/25/2023, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Ceremony calls forth sacredness. In the opening ceremony we enliven the sacredness of each of the centers of activity in our lives.
Guided by Vow
January 21, 2023 19:00 - 36 minutes01/21/2023, Horin Nancy Petrin, dharma talk at City Center. A talk, given in the day of a Lay Ordination ceremony, exploring the Mahayana Bodhisattva Vow.
The Precept of Fearlessness and the Life of MLK, Jr.
January 19, 2023 04:00 - 35 minutes01/18/2023, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center. Living life like we have infinite social capital, like a generous benefactor to all those around us, allows a great freedom of spirit. When we realize that promoting and worrying about the self is a small minded path that leads to suffering, we start to see our interconnectedness - that none of us win until we all win. The precept of "not praising self at the expense of others", goes to the heart of the bodhisattva vow - to be inve...
Compassionate Practice with Afflictions
January 15, 2023 19:00 - 36 minutes1/15/2023, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Afflictions are inexhaustible, we vow to cut through without ending them; the bodhisattva's mind is afflictions entangled with afflictions.
Being Beloved Community in a Time of Polarization
January 14, 2023 19:00 - 45 minutes01/14/2023, Rhonda Magee, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, Hoshi Rhonda Myozen Magee reflects on the concept of Beloved Community through the lens of those who have breathed life and meaning into the concept over the past century. In the spirit of contemplative reflection and deep listening to our inner voice, she invites us all to discern what Beloved Community means to each of us, and commit to bringing it more fully alive in our own ways in the world today.
The Living Thread
January 12, 2023 04:00 - 38 minutes01/11/2023, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center. Focusing on the first words of the day for Zen temples: the Robe Chant. Tim talks about our relationship with time, those who came before us bringing this deep paractice, and how we enliven our ancestors by practicing in the present. There is a living thread that passes through them to us today.
The Mind of the Great Sage of India
January 08, 2023 19:00 - 39 minutes01/08/2023, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Intimate transmission, the one who is not busy, and taking care of brooms and other tools.
Turning Toward vs. Turning Away
January 07, 2023 19:00 - 41 minutes01/07/2023, Caverly Morgan, dharma talk at City Center. This dharma talk is based off Caverly’s new book, The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together, published by Sounds True. Have you ever found yourself identified with a self who is on a mission to annihilate the self? Have you found yourself believing you have to get rid of in order to experience truth? Believing that the conditioned mind can take charge and try to control and omit thoughts, experiences, people is a distortion of...
Make A Wish
January 04, 2023 19:00 - 39 minutes01/04/2023, Sozan Miglioli, dharma talk at City Center. We wish, we dream, and sometimes our wishes and dreams become preferences and expectations. How do we practice with what we want?
The Impeded Stream
December 31, 2022 19:00 - 32 minutes12/31/2022, Henzan Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center. Don’t work harder, resist less.
Are We Ever Alone?
December 22, 2022 04:00 - 30 minutes12/21/2022, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. How can an awareness of our interconnectedness ease the sense of separation many of us experience during the winter holidays?
Cultivating an Open State of Mind in the Midst of Great Challenges
December 18, 2022 19:00 - 37 minutes12/18/2022, Kiku Christina Lehnherr, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Exploring practices that can support us in meeting the manifold challenges of this time in history, in life-affirming and supporting ways.
Freedom, Forgiveness, and the Agony of Existence
December 17, 2022 19:00 - 27 minutes12/17/2022, Kyoshin Wendy Lewis, dharma talk at City Center. Many of our teachings and talks address both freedom or liberation and the agony of existence or suffering.
Awakening to Life through Contemplating Death
December 15, 2022 04:00 - 37 minutes12/14/2022, Kodo Conlin, dharma talk at City Center. Reflections on our mortality as our common humanity. As a basis for Dharma practice, fit for regular contemplation, the truth of our death, approached wisely and with a bright mind, can inspire care, energy for practice, and a compassionate connection with all beings.
Hyakujo and a Fox, Part 6
December 14, 2022 19:00 - 33 minutes12/14/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. December sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on cause and effect.
Hyakujo and a Fox, Part 5
December 13, 2022 19:00 - 39 minutes12/13/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. December sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on cause and effect.
Hyakujo and a Fox, Part 4
December 12, 2022 19:00 - 40 minutes12/12/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. December sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on cause and effect.
A Lentil a Lentil a Stone: An Ode to Zazen
December 11, 2022 19:00 - 31 minutes12/11/2022, Sonja Gardenswartz, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Our zazen sitting builds a foundation upon which we make contact with what is important to us, you become the gift. Not searching outside ourselves for what matters but to go in and settle, drop in to the body is to be more permeable to what is whispering in us, to recognize what is going on in our own mind. Such is each moment, each thought incorporating the forms of spring. Although we can say we don’t know what zazen is, sitt...
Hyakujo and a Fox, Part 3
December 11, 2022 19:00 - 50 minutes12/11/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. December sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on cause and effect.
Hyakujo and a Fox, Part 2
December 10, 2022 19:00 - 36 minutes12/10/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. December sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on cause and effect.
Hyakujo and a Fox, Part 1
December 09, 2022 19:00 - 35 minutes12/09/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. December sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on cause and effect.
Actualizing Our Understanding
December 01, 2022 19:00 - 48 minutes12/01/2022, Shinchi Linda Galijan, dharma talk at Tassajara.
Zhaozhou and the Dog, Part 5
November 19, 2022 19:00 - 44 minutes11/19/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period.
Zhaozhou and the Dog, Part 4
November 18, 2022 19:00 - 38 minutes11/18/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period.
Zhaozhou and the Dog, Part 3
November 17, 2022 19:00 - 31 minutes11/17/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period.
Zhaozhou and the Dog, Part 2
November 16, 2022 19:00 - 26 minutes11/16/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period.
Zhaozhou and the Dog, Part 1
November 15, 2022 19:00 - 34 minutes11/15/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period.
Out Of Compassion For The Many I Take My Rest
November 13, 2022 19:00 - 42 minutes11/13/2022, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Reflections on the importance of rest and relaxation to wholeheartedly express our practice life.
“What is it?” - Ganto’s Last Word
November 12, 2022 19:00 - 35 minutes11/12/2022, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center. Continuing the practice period study of koans from the Blue Cliff Record and Suzuki Roshi's commentaries on them.
Transforming Life’s Unjust Blows
November 10, 2022 04:00 - 42 minutes11/09/2022, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. As part of the exploration of koans from the Blue Cliff Record, Abbot David unpacks Case 75, “Wu Chiu's Unjust Beating.” He considers what is it to receive the unjust “blows” of life and not make them personal, to not harbor anger and resentment, and to not make a self out of them. How might we learn to transform unfair experiences in such a way that they can become opportunities for liberating insight?
Communion of Human Agency and Great Compassion
November 06, 2022 19:00 - 35 minutes11/06/2022, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. An exploration of compassion for self and others.
Practicing the Noble Eightfold Path
November 05, 2022 18:00 - 46 minutes11/05/2022, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Each step of the Eightfold Path and the practices it recommends, harmonizes disciplined conduct and opening to virtuous being. The third step, Right Speech, is described in detail to illustrate this.
Two Truths, Part 5
October 30, 2022 18:00 - 39 minutes10/30/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. October sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on the relative and absolute.
Compassion and Great Compassion
October 30, 2022 18:00 - 42 minutes10/30/2022, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Different types compassion as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha, Vasubandhu, Maitreya, Chandrakirti, and Zen Ancestors Yunyan and Daowu
Two Truths, Part 4
October 29, 2022 18:00 - 28 minutes10/29/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. October sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on the relative and absolute.
Two Truths, Part 3
October 28, 2022 18:00 - 33 minutes10/28/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. October sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on the relative and absolute.
Two Truths, Part 2
October 27, 2022 18:00 - 30 minutes10/27/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. October sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on the relative and absolute.
Entering The Blue Dragon’s Cave
October 27, 2022 03:00 - 47 minutes10/26/2022, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. As part of the exploration of koans from the Blue Cliff Record, Abbot David unpacks Case 3, “Master Ma is Unwell”. In the midst of life’s vicissitudes ─ whether we're encountering health or sickness, joy or sorrow, birth or death ─ how might we find stability and composure? Using the incredible story of the rescue of 13 Thai boys trapped in a cave, he also invites us to consider the bodhisattvic effort and fearlessness required t...
Two Truths, Part 1
October 26, 2022 18:00 - 33 minutes10/26/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. October sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on the relative and absolute.
Practicing with Master Hongzhi's Teaching
October 23, 2022 18:00 - 37 minutes10/23/2022, Sokaku Kathie Fischer, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Kathie Fischer discusses Hongzhi's 12th century teaching of silent illumination and how it can inform our practice in these times.
Turning Toward Death
October 22, 2022 18:00 - 42 minutes10/22/2022, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. As leaves fall and nights are longer, we turn from autumn towards winter. This is a tender, transitional time for many of us. We may be more in touch with loss, grief, and death. In this talk, Tova shares her own journey toward facing death and dying as a hospice volunteer and social worker, some questions she has about death, and her recent experiences of being with two people who were dying.
Homage to Great Compassion
October 16, 2022 18:00 - 24 minutes10/16/2022, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Paying homage, praising, and making offerings to great compassion with all our actions of body, speech, and mind.