AZC Weekly talks

"Zazen is not sensory deprivation — anything but. Birds and geckos and bullfrogs guide us. Be open to these natural teachers, wherever you may be practicing." -Aitken Roshi

This is the second of three Dharma Talks on 'Zen and Nature' given by Richard at the Auckland Zen Centre.

Texts used:

Poetry and Zen: Letters and Uncollected Writings of R. H. Blyth by Norman Waddell

Passing Through the Gateless Barrier by Guo Gu

The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon translated by Ivan Morris.

In this talk Richard explores interconnection on both vast and intimate scales. This is the first of three talks on 'Zen and Nature' given by Richard at the Auckland Zen Centre.

Texts used: A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth by Henry Gee

Earth: An Intimate History by Richard Fortey

Pilgrim at Tinker's Creek by Annie Dillard

In this talk Roshi Amala Wrightson continues to explore false views. The Diamond Sutra lists four mistaken notions we hold onto which distort our experience of the world; the views of "self", "human beings", "sentient beings" and "lifespan". Thich Nhat Hanh shows how throwing these false views away frees us to respond more effectively to the multiple crises we are facing in 2022.

Main Source(s):

Thich Nhat Hanh Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. Rider, 2021

Brian Swimme, Canticle to the Cosmos. VHS Series.

Automated transcript

https://otter.ai/u/PEVKgfoJ1Lxq7VDowIW7VBMSh_w

In this talk Roshi Amala Wrightson explores false views.

The Diamond Sutra lists four mistaken notions we hold onto which distort our experience of the world; the views of "self", "human beings", "sentient beings" and "lifespan". Thich Nhat Hanh shows how throwing these false views away frees us to respond more effectively to the multiple crises we are facing in 2022.

Main Source(s): Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. Rider, 2021

Automated transcript

https://otter.ai/u/Oq1HPYq_ItYB4QMa9_ledoFT1fQ

In this talk Roshi Amala Wrightson explores the concept and practice of frugality from a Zen perspective. Frugality is shaped by the motives behind it, such as prudent management of our finances, or reducing our environmental footprint. In Zen, cherishing the absolute value of each and every thing we encounter is at the heart of frugality. As Zuigan Goto-roshi said, "From the first, in people and in things, there is no such thing as trash."

Automated transcript

https://otter.ai/u/6ke-DnnJWa76P-7dH6itPKI04S4

In this talk Roshi Amala Wightson takes up the koan "Vimalakirti's Silence" from The Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku #84).

The thundering silence of the layman bodhisattva, Vimalakirti -- can you hear it?

Automated transcript

https://otter.ai/u/6kdOZX1XBRPyMYYjtr2NLyLbwSc

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with common hindrances to practice.

In this episode Roshi explores ghost caves, and identifying different types of their opposite, wandering thoughts.

Sources: Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist path to natural awakening by Guo Gu Shambhala 2021, Shattering The Great Doubt, The Chan practice of Huatou by Master Sheng Yen, Shambhala 2009.

Automated transcript

https://otter.ai/u/PvjaMnenvZoad-3y8EMvAPiNRlM

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with common hindrances to practice.

In this episode she looks at working with physical pain, and various kinds of "ghost caves" to watch out for.

Sources: Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist path to natural awakening by Guo Gu Shambhala 2021

Automated transcript

https://otter.ai/u/2SqT58-qz26zjM82zRFcARyyNJs

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with common hindrances that arise in our zazen.

Sources: Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist path to natural awakening by Guo Gu Shambhala 2021

Automated transcript

https://otter.ai/u/jbnu9g1YbRivwmjfipr_DMgo1mo

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with suffering.

In this talk Roshi explores delusive strategies for getting off the wheel that just make things worse.

Sources: Turning Suffering Inside Out -- a Zen approach to living with physical and emotional pain by Darlene Cohen Shambhala 2002

Automated transcript

https://otter.ai/u/2mNdeFQEqJOb2REwEE-s5wLK_No