SFZC

Great robe of liberation

Field far beyond form and emptiness

Wearing the Tathagata’s teaching

Saving all beings

Upaya

Vast is the robe of liberation,

A formless field of benefaction.

I wear the Tathagata’s teachings,

To awaken countless beings.

Appamada (Ordinary Mind)

Vast is the robe of liberation

A formless field of benefaction

Wearing the universal teaching

I realize the one true nature

Thus harmonizing all being.

2026-06-22 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Kim gives a dharma talk on "Coleus in the Garden" and other koans.

Most of us have a favorite way of getting stuck. A particular dance we do — the old pattern in new clothes, the familiar mistake in a new context, the same persistent bad habit, again.

Today, we look at stuckness not as a problem to be solved but as something we might actually need. The Buddha had something to say about this, as did Suzuki Roshi.

And you’ll get to find out which kind of horse you are.

2026-06-16 I Inquiry I Great Determination? I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-06-16 I Inquiry I Great Determination? I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-06-15 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-06-08 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-06-09 I Inquiry I Plight thee my troth I Flint Sparks by Appamada

For the last two Sundays, we investigated the ditches of comfort and striving. This week, we turn to what’s between them, what some describe as effortless effort.

Joko Beck describes this as pure activity:

Pure activity is very rare. There's nearly always a shadow, a film over it. We may not be aware of that; we may just be aware of some tension. There's no tension in pure activity, beyond the physical contraction required to do the activity itself.

This activity is something altogether different from our comfort-seeking and striving. It arises and unfolds.

This Sunday, we explore it together.