Yokoji Zen Dharma Talks

Basic Practice and Tying Up Loose Ends

Fukanzazengi Part 2

Fukan Zazengi Part 1

Tenshin Roshi talks about Master Dogen's writing, Fukan Zazengi, or Universal Promotion of Zazen.

Buddhas Are Not Elsewhere, You Are You

Tenshin Roshi talks about case seven of the Blue Cliff Record, "Asking about Buddha."

Halloween / Obon / Día de los Muertos

Tenshin Roshi talks about the Buddhist festival of Obon, which, at Yokoji we link to Halloween and Día de los Muertos. The text referenced is "The Five Buddha Families," from The Collected Works of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

What is Your Light?

Faith Plus

Tenshin Roshi continues talking on the Record of Rinzai.

Faith

Tenshin Roshi talks about Master Rinzai and shares readings from the Record of Rinzai.

Standing On Your Own Feet

Tenshin Roshi talks on case 12 of the Gateless Gate, "Zuigan Calls Himself 'Master.'"

The Supreme Way is Without Difficulty

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 2 of the Blue Cliff Record, "The Supreme Way is Without Difficulty."

What Remains?

Tenshin Roshi discusses case 30 of The Book of Equanimity, Daizui's Kalpa Fire.

Mistake

Tenshin Roshi talks about case 98 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Two Mistakes."

Wholehearted Effort and Transmission

Tenshin Roshi talks about the start of the training period and the importance of transmission in the Zen tradition. Roshi opens the talk with Mumon's verse from case 41 of the Gateless Gate, "Coming from the West and pointing directly to it – all the trouble comes from the transmission; The one who disturbs the monasteries is originally you."

Sit Like a Kid

Tenshin Roshi talks about Case 21 of the Book of Equanimity, "Ungan Sweeps the Ground".

The Plain Food of Daily Living

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 78 of the Book of Equanimity, "Ummon's Farm Rice Cake".

A Lifetime Strategy

Tenshin Roshi talks about case 14 of the Book of Equanimity, "Attendant Kaku Serves Tea".

Practice as Daily Life

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 52 of the Book of Equanimity, "Sozan's Dharmakaya".

The Closest Thing

Tenshin Roshi talks on case 1 of the Blue Cliff Record, "The Highest Meaning of the Holy Truths".

The Forge of Training Period

Tenshin Roshi talks on "Baso's Illness", case 36 of the Book of Equanimity.

Finding Your Balance

Tenshin Roshi talks about case 66  of the Book of Equanimity, "Kyuho's Head and Tail".

Standing Back-to-Back

Tenshin Roshi talks on case 17 of the Gateless Gate, "The National Teacher's Three calls".

Is this Common or Holy?

Tenshin Roshi talks on case 22 of the Book of Equanimity, "Ganto's Bow and Shout".

Not Getting Lost in Words

Tenshin Roshi talks about case 3 of the Book of Equanimity, "An Invitation for the Patriarch".

The Buddha Way is Coffee and Toast

Tenshin Roshi talks about Master Dogen's "Everyday Activity".

Tracking Down an Ancestor

Tenshin Roshi talks about case 23 of the Gateless Gate, "Think Neither Good Nor Evil".

Being Time Part 5

Being Time: Part 4

Tenshin Roshi talks more on Master Dogen's Uji, or "Being Time". This is the fourth talk in the series.

Being Time: Part 3

Tenshin Roshi talks more on Master Dogen's Uji, or "Being Time". This is the third talk in the series.

Being Time: Part 2

Tenshin Roshi talks more on Master Dogen's Uji, or "Being Time". This is the second talk in the series.

Being Time: Part 1

Tenshin Roshi talks on Master Dogen's "Uji", or "Being Time". This is the first talk of a series.

Reaching For a Pillow

Tenshin Roshi talks on case 54 of the Book of Equanimity, "Ungan's Great Compassionate One".

Watch Out! A Snake!

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 59 of the Book of Equanimity, "Seirin's Deadly Snake".

The Pillar that Supports Heaven and Earth

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 31 of the Book of Equanimity, "Ummon's Free-Standing Pillar".

Attention!

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 4 of the Book of Equanimity, The World-Honored One Points to the Earth.

The Inquisitive Mind

Tenshin Roshi talks on Parts 1 and 6 of Master Dogen's Bendowa or "On the Endeavor of the Way."

In The Midst of Activity

Tenshin Roshi reads from the Writings of Zen Master Hakuin: “I am not trying to tell you to discard completely quietistic meditation and to seek specifically for a place of activity to carry on your practice. What is most worthy of respect is a pure koan meditation that neither knows nor is conscious of the two aspects, the quiet and the active. That is why it has been said that the true practicing person walks but does not know they are walking, sits but does not know they are sitting. ...

All-Inclusive Study

Tenshin Roshi speaks on the first two sections of Henzan or All-Inclusive Study, from Moon in a Dewdrop, Writings of Zen Master Dogen.

You Are You!

Tenshin Roshi talks on case 7 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Asking About Buddha".

Deanne Shinzan Larsen — Dharma Combat

Head Trainee for the spring period at Yokoji, Deanne Shinzan Larsen, spoke on the koan, "Tozan's Illness" and engaged in Dharma Combat with the assembly (via Zoom).

The True Person

Tenshin Roshi talks on case 38 of the Book of Equanimity, "Rinzai's True Man".

Looking Deeply, Being Seen

Tenshin Roshi talks on case 52 of the Book of Equanimity, "Sozan's Dharmakaya".

Who's in Charge

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 12 of the Gateless Gate, Zuigan Calls Himself "Master".

Realization Embodied

Tenshin Roshi touches on the koan, "Nansen Kills the Cat" and talks about the essence of practice.

Sitting Zen

Tenshin Roshi talks on zazen, the foundation of Zen practice.

Where Were You Born?

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 32 of the Book of Equanimity, "Kyozan's State of Mind".

What Kind of This is That?

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 23 of the Blue Cliff Record, "The Summit of the Mystic Peak."

There Are No Zen Teachers

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 11 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Gobblers of Dregs".

It's All Up to You

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 86 of the Book of Equanimity, "Rinzai's Great Enlightenment".

Alive or Dead

Tenshin Roshi speaks on Case 55 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Won't Say".

Sweeping it All Away

Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 28 of The Blue Cliff Record, "Not Mind or Buddha".