Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple and Zen Center Dharma Talks

Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple and Zen Center Dharma Talks episodes:

• 04.28.2015

  GR Zen Center : Why I Became a Dharma Teacher

  As a follow-up to his ordination as a Dharma Teacher, The Rev Ahm Kwang Su discusses why he made the decision to ordain and what it means to be a Dharma Teacher.

  
• 04.28.2015

  GR Zen Center : A Lived Life: The Conclusion

  The Venerable Deok Wun concludes the series "A lIved Life" with a talk on karma.

  
• 04.11.2015

  GR Zen Center : A Lived Life Part Eight

  Here, the Ven Hung Su Sampson discusses the Bodhisattva Khshitigarbha and what he has to teach us about a Lived Life. No written transcript is available.

  
• 03.16.2015

  GR Zen Center : A Lived Life Part Seven: Joy

  Here, the Ven Deok Wun examines the element of joy as perfected by the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

  
• 03.08.2015

  GR Zen Center : A Lived Life Part Six: Understanding and Wisdom

  The Ven Deok Wun present Manjushri, Boddisattva, as a model for understanding as an aspect of a Lived Life.

  
• 03.01.2015

  GR Zen Center : A Lived Life Part 5: Compassion

  In this talk the Ven Deok Wun begins a five part sub-set of talks based on the practice theme of a Lived Life. In this talk he begins an examination of five specific attribute represented by Five Bodhisattvas. In...

  
• 02.24.2015

  GR Zen Center : The Bodhisattvas

  In this talk the Ven Hung Su Sampson gives an overview of why the Bodhisattvas are models for our behavior as we consider what it means to engage a Lived Life.

  
• 02.08.2015

  GR Zen Center : A Live Life: Part Four

  Who ARE we? What is "self"? In this talk Venerable Deok Wun discusses the Buddha's teaching of the Five Skandhas (The Five Aggregates) that are the mental process that leads to the concept of "self".

  
• 01.26.2015

  GR Zen Center : A Lived Life: Part 2: The Lover

  This is the second talk in the series A Lived Life. In this talk the Venerable Deok Wun discusses the love affair we have with our own mind, how it is a dangerous love affair, and why it is important...

  
• 01.20.2015

  GR Zen Center : A Lived Life: Part 1

  Guiding Teacher, Venerable Deok Wun, begins the winter practice period with the first of a series of talks on what it means to Live Life from a Buddhist point of view.

  
• 01.12.2015

  GR Zen Center : The Bodhisattva Vows as A New Year's Resolution

  Senior Student Ahm Kwang delivers the annual New Year's Dharma Talk.

  
• 12.21.2014

  GR Zen Center : Rejoice!!

  Guiding Teacher, Ven Deok Wun, shares a meditation on why Rejoicing is a hallmark of the Bodhisattva's practice.

  
• 12.17.2014

  GR Zen Center : Buddhism Is Not a Passive Practice

  Ven Hung Su offers his insights on why our practice is an active one.

  
• 12.01.2014

  GR Zen Center : Who We Are Part 4: The Bodhisattva Path

  In this fourth installment of the series The Venerable Deok Wun briefly describes the importance of the Bodhisattva Path as part of the temple's foundational teachings. At the end of the talk there is a guided meditation entitled "Invoking the...

  
• 11.22.2014

  GR Zen Center : Who We Are Part 3: Hua Yin Buddhism

  In this talk Venerable Deok Wun explains why Hua Yin Buddhism is at the root of our temple beliefs and practices.

  
• 11.18.2014

  GR Zen Center : Why I Chose to Become a Teaching Monk

  The Venerable Hung Su Sampson discusses why he chose to train as a teaching monk. This talk is a prelude to his ordination as a Teaching Monk on Sunday December 7.

  
• 11.14.2014

  GR Zen Center : Who We Are Part 2: The Refuge Commitments

  The foundational commitment of Buddhism is that of Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. In this talk Venerable Deok Wun explains why these are the first and foundational commitments for all Buddhists.

  
• 11.14.2014

  GR Zen Center : Anger Gatha

  A Gatha (verse) for reflection on anger

  
• 11.04.2014

  GR Zen Center : Who We Are Part 1: Expedient Means

  In this talk Guiding Teacher, Ven Deok Wun, sets out the first foundation of the beliefs and practices of this Temple. The subject is upaya---expedient means.It is the first talk in a series entitled "Who We Are" wherein Teacher will...

  
• 05.11.2014

  GR Zen Center : Children Will Listen

  Ven Deok Wun delivers the 2104 Mother's Day Dharma Talk.

  
• 05.11.2014

  GR Zen Center : The Parachute

  Novice monk Ven Zhen Su delivers a talk on facing our fears.

  
• 04.14.2014

  GR Zen Center : Enlightenment/Waking Up

  The Ven Deok Wun raises the issue of way is enlightenment; what does it mean to wake up.

  
• 04.14.2014

  GR Zen Center : What is the One Thing

  The Ven Deok Wun explains the hwadhu as a method of meditation and cutting through the self.

  
• 04.13.2014

  GR Zen Center : Karma Vipaka

  The Ven Deok, Guiding Teacher, delivers a teaching on karma vipaka---action and result. There is a graphic that was used during the talk that is included here a PDF file for downloading.

  
• 03.27.2014

  GR Zen Center : Spring and Spiritual Practice

  Senior Dharma student Ahm Kwang Tony Benac discusses how Spring can be a time for renewal of one's spiritual practice.

  
• 03.16.2014

  GR Zen Center : Suffering

  In this Dharma talk the Venerable Deok Wun discusses the categories of suffering from the Lamrim Chenmo. Attached as a PDF file is a chart of those categories that one should have in front of them as they listen to this...

  
• 03.12.2014

  GR Zen Center : Ju In Gong

  This talk is based on Sutra 53 of the Book of Tens in the Angutarra Nikaya entitled, "One's OWn Mind". It also includes a meditation based on the ten questions for self examination stated in the sutra. A copy of...

  
• 02.16.2014

  GR Zen Center : Awareness and Mindfulness

  A talk in two parts. Part One talks about the difference between awareness and mindfulness. Part Two is a guided meditation on the awareness and mindfulness of the breath. The talks in 9 minutes and the guided meditation is 25...

  
• 02.09.2014

  GR Zen Center : Emptiness

  Ven Deok Wun uses the metaphor of a paper cup in an attempt to explain emptiness.

  
• 01.31.2014

  GR Zen Center : Patience

  By Ven Deok Wun

  
• 01.31.2014

  GR Zen Center : Humility

  By the Ven Au Su Doran-Fisher

  
• 01.13.2014

  GR Zen Center : The Eight Winds

  Ven Deok Wun teaches how the Eight Winds can blow us off the Path of accepting that what we already have is enough and perfect.

  
• 01.13.2014

  GR Zen Center : The Path

  Ven Zhen Su discusses the fundamental aspects of the Buddhist Path.

  
• 01.09.2014

  GR Zen Center : New Year 2014

  This talk suggests a resolution for 2014.

  
• 11.27.2013

  GR Zen Center : Thanksgiving Talk

  Transcript of the talk given by Ven Deok Wun at the Grand Rapids City Wide Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

  
• 11.25.2013

  GR Zen Center : Considering the Heart Sutra

  This talk by the Venerable Deok Wun takes a look at the meaning of Perfect Wisdom as set forth in the Heart Sutra.

  
• 11.25.2013

  GR Zen Center : The Chicken and the Egg

  Teaching delivered by Dharma Student Ahm Kwang Benac

  
• 11.10.2013

  GR Zen Center : Mouth Zen

  Mouth Zen is the practice of keeping the mouth still and silent in the face of rumor and gossip. This talk explores the relationship between Mouth Zen, Right Speech, and Gossip.

  
• 11.05.2013

  GR Zen Center : Purification of Alms Food

  Rev Bup Jih discusses the way in which ordinary daily activities can be a time for reflection and insight.

  
• 10.29.2013

  GR Zen Center : The Tao Te Ching

  This is not a Dharma talk but a set of slides used as part of the class that begins October 29. It is here for those who want to know more about the Tao and cannot attend the class. Also has...

  
• 10.27.2013

  GR Zen Center : The Fear of an Unlived Life

  Our lives are plagues by fears, but the root of all fear is the fear of an unlived life. This talk explores two antidotes to that fear: choice and surrender.

  
• 10.21.2013

  GR Zen Center : Disciples of the Buddha

  This is a talk by three senior students in which they explain which disciple of the Buddha or Zen Master they have chosen as the model for their personal and ministerial practices.

  
• 10.21.2013

  GR Zen Center : Merit

  Merit is often misunderstood term in the West. This talk discusses the concept of merit for a western practitioner.

  
• 10.07.2013

  GR Zen Center : Pure Land Practice

  Pure Land practice is an expedient means to realize one's Original Mind, Buddha Nature, Buddha Wisdom. This talk explains this and Pure Land's relationship to Zen.

  
• 09.26.2013

  GR Zen Center : Watery Creatures

  Discusses what is meant by the expression "spiritual practice". A continuation of the previous week's Dharma talk on "No-practice practice."

  
• 09.16.2013

  GR Zen Center : No-Practice Practice: The Practice of the Buddhas

  Too often we see"practice" as something separate and apart from our lives. But is the what the Buddhas practiced? This Dharma Talk raises the question: what does it mean to practice like a Buddha?

  
• 08.13.2013

  GR Zen Center : The Sangha: The Third Jewel

  A talk by Rev Bup Jih Steve Sampson on the importance of the Sangha.

  
• 07.30.2013

  GR Zen Center : Gotami

  This talk by the Rev Bup Jih relates the story of a woman who loses her child. It is a lesson in sadness, loss, love, and equanimity.

  
• 07.23.2013

  GR Zen Center : Is there a Soul in Buddhism?

  This talk issues a challenge to our thinking about the nature of soul and questions our understanding of what soul means and how Buddhism addresses it.

  
• 07.15.2013

  GR Zen Center : Emptiness

  Tony Benac on our experience with our minds, reality, and what exactly *is* emptiness?