Hozan Alan Senauke & Petra Zenryū Hubbeling: SESSHIN: Instructions to the Cook (Part 1 of 4)

Series Description: Zen Master Dogen wrote these classic instructions —at once highly practical and deeply spiritual —as he was establishing his treasured monastery Eiheiji nearly eight hundred years ago. This series explores Dogen’s teachings, as well as their contemporary application within engaged Buddhism. Each episode explores different aspects of life. Together, these aspects form a five-course meal, which is referred to, in Zen, as the “Supreme Meal.” The meal is nothing short of a life that is lived fully and completely, with nothing held back.

Episode Description: Sensei Hozan Alan Senauke and Petra Zenryū Hubbeling set the theme of this sesshin by introducing the Supreme Meal. Commentary from Bernie Glassman Roshi lists five main “courses,” or aspects of this meal: spirituality, knowledge, livelihood, social action, and community. Sensei Alan Senauke complements this, listing the traditional administrative temple roles in ancient China and Japan and describing the vital role of the Tenzo, or head cook. The Tenzo was someone carefully chosen for the spiritual qualities that they embodied.

To access the entire series, please click on the link below:

Upaya Podcast Series: SESSHIN: Instructions to the Cook