This talk begins with an exploration of the first grave precept in Mahayana Buddhism, not-killing. Valerie then turns to case 14 in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, the next koan in the collection. This famous case, "Nansen Kills the Cat," is often described as a difficult koan, opaque to understanding and troubling to our sensibilities. Would a Zen master actually slay a cat in an all-out effort to awaken his monks? What are we to make of the startling image of Nansen holding up an innocent creature in one hand, a knife in the other, and addressing us: "Say a word and I will spare the cat." Faced with the matter of life and death in the hands of a great master, what would you say? The koan unfolds with Joshu, Nansen's student of 40 years, hearing what happened and offering his response. We smile as he walks through the koan and leaves us with questions: What is the cat? What is cut through and what, possibly, spared? What is the turning word in a story that asks us to drop everything and enter in? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: <a href= "https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/">https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/</a>

This talk begins with an exploration of the first grave precept in Mahayana Buddhism, not-killing. Valerie then turns to case 14 in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, the next koan in the collection. This famous case, "Nansen Kills the Cat," is often described as a difficult koan, opaque to understanding and troubling to our sensibilities. Would a Zen master actually slay a cat in an all-out effort to awaken his monks? What are we to make of the startling image of Nansen holding up an innocent creature in one hand, a knife in the other, and addressing us: "Say a word and I will spare the cat." Faced with the matter of life and death in the hands of a great master, what would you say? The koan unfolds with Joshu, Nansen's student of 40 years, hearing what happened and offering his response. We smile as he walks through the koan and leaves us with questions: What is the cat? What is cut through and what, possibly, spared? What is the turning word in a story that asks us to drop everything and enter in? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/

This talk begins with an exploration of the first grave precept in Mahayana Buddhism, not-killing. Valerie then turns to case 14 in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, the next koan in the collection. This famous case, "Nansen Kills the Cat," is often described as a difficult koan, opaque to understanding and troubling to our sensibilities. Would a Zen master actually slay a cat in an all-out effort to awaken his monks? What are we to make of the startling image of Nansen holding up an innocent creature in one hand, a knife in the other, and addressing us: "Say a word and I will spare the cat." Faced with the matter of life and death in the hands of a great master, what would you say? The koan unfolds with Joshu, Nansen's student of 40 years, hearing what happened and offering his response. We smile as he walks through the koan and leaves us with questions: What is the cat? What is cut through and what, possibly, spared? What is the turning word in a story that asks us to drop everything and enter in? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: <a href="https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/</a>

Teisho: "Cutting the Two into One" with Valerie Forstman

MCZP352_Eric Zimmer_Spiritual Habits.mp3

“… Focusing on the breath, we learn how to tame the delusive mind ...” Description: Master Joshu features in several important koans in the Zen canon. He is often heard

Dharmatalk: No Choosing

MCZP351_Rollie Del Rosario_No Choosing.mp3

“… Reflect now whether any being or any world is left out of this present moment ...” Description: Valerie Forstman leads us through an examination of what it means to

Dharmatalk: On Time

MCZP350_Valerie Forstman_On Time.mp3

MCZP349_Berta Meneses_Mountains and Snow.mp3

“… The image of mountains is common to many spiritual traditions but is especially fitting for Zen practitioners ... “… This truth knows no obstacles anywhere...” Description: This talk was

Dharmatalk: Mountains and Snow

MCZP348_Ruben Habito_Mind at Rest.mp3

“… Bodhidharma Puts the Mind at Rest...” Description: Ruben Roshi has been both Henry and Valerie’s teacher. He is the guiding teacher at the Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas

Dharmatalk: Mind At Rest

“… how everyday experience is actually as vast and boundless as outer space ...” “… By letting everything be, things have the intrinsic capacity to release themselves ...” Description: Resuming the discussion

“… how everyday experience is actually as vast and boundless as outer space ...” “… By letting everything be, things have the intrinsic capacity to release themselves ...” Description: Resuming the discussion

“… how everyday experience is actually as vast and boundless as outer space&nbsp;...” “… By letting everything be, things have the intrinsic capacity to release themselves&nbsp;...” Description: Resuming the discussion

Dharmatalk: Ordinary Mind Is the Way

Welcome to the Mountain Cloud Zen Center "in the Cloud" podcast. Here, we'll be sharing our weekly Teisho's exploring classical Zen Koans, offered by Mountain Cloud teachers, and some guest teachers. Additionally, we have a conversation series, titled Path(less), which explores the "pathless path" of practice and life.


Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud Zen Center through donation and membership, both of which allow us to offer these and other programs. Visit mountaincloud.org for our daily meditation schedule, weekly talks, upcoming retreats, and more.


Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments/suggestions.

Religion & Spirituality

Buddhism

Welcome to the Mountain Cloud Zen Center "in the Cloud" podcast. Here, we'll be sharing our weekly Teisho's exploring classical Zen Koans, offered by Mountain Cloud teachers, and some guest teachers. Additionally, we have a conversation series, titled Path(less), which explores the "pathless path" of practice and life. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud Zen Center through donation and membership, both of which allow us to offer these and other programs. Visit mountaincloud.org for our daily meditation schedule, weekly talks, upcoming retreats, and more. Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments/suggestions.

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