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

MCZP347_Henry Shukman_Ordinary Mind Is the Way.mp3

“… Many flavors of awakening exist, constituting one mountain range …” “… If you’re lucky enough to get up the mountain, you’ve still got to come down again ...” Description: A

“… Many flavors of awakening exist, constituting one mountain range …” “… If you’re lucky enough to get up the mountain, you’ve still got to come down again ...” Description: A

“… Many flavors of awakening exist, constituting one mountain range …” “… If you’re lucky enough to get up the mountain, you’ve still got to come down again&nbsp;...” Description: A

Dharmatalk: Enlightenments – One Mountain

MCZP346_Henry Shukman_Enlightenments - One Mountain.mp3

“… a world that is so near to us yet so well able to maintain itself that we needn’t do anything to influence it …” “… Zazen has been described

Dharmatalk: Most Intimate, So Near

MCZP345 _Valerie Forstman_Most Intimate, So Near.mp3

“… subjectivity of deeper states of meditation …” “… What is the price of rice?’ Why is that the totality of the human experience of awakening?” ...”   Description: Following a

“… subjectivity of deeper states of meditation …” “… What is the price of rice?’ Why is that the totality of the human experience of awakening?” ...” Description: Following a

“… subjectivity of deeper states of meditation …” “… What is the price of rice?’ Why is that the totality of the human experience of awakening?”&nbsp;...” &nbsp; Description: Following a

Dharmatalk: Deepening of the dharma – Meditation, Talk, and Q&A

MCZP344_Henry Shukman_Deepening of the dharma - Meditation, Talk, and Q&A.mp3

“… Sitting is the vehicle for discovering innate “awakened-ness.” ...” Description: Case 1 of the Book of Equanimity offers a beautiful example of how an awakened person might expound the dharma

“… Sitting is the vehicle for discovering innate “awakened-ness.” ...” Description: Case 1 of the Book of Equanimity offers a beautiful example of how an awakened person might expound the dharma

“… Sitting is the vehicle for discovering innate “awakened-ness.”&nbsp;...” Description: Case 1 of the Book of Equanimity offers a beautiful example of how an awakened person might expound the dharma

Dharmatalk: The Silent Way

MCZP343_Henry Shukman_The SIlent Way.mp3

MCZP342_Henry Shukman_Being Open to Help - Q&A.mp3

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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