11/30/2024, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center.

Sozan Michael McCord discusses where the concept of work practice came from in the Zen Buddhist tradition and how the principles found in the monastic setting can be used in any modern work context.

11/23/2024, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center.

This dharma talk by former central abbot Rinso Ed Sattizahn examines Suzuki Roshi’s open, inviting practice, and unpacks Wang Wei’s poem “In my middle years…”

11/16/2024, Paula Arai, dharma talk at City Center.

This dharma talk by visiting teacher Paula Arai at Beginner’s Mind Temple explores Buddhism from a woman’s perspective, focusing on the liberating power of storytelling in sutras. Combining rigorous research and an embodied approach, Arai humanizes Buddhist women’s experiences. She shared two stories—Queen Shrimala and "Bowing With the Dharma"—from her upcoming book, "Of Lotuses and Mud: Women Liberating Dharma".

11/13/2024, Eli Brown-Stevenson, dharma talk at City Center.

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson, co-leader of the fall 2024 Practice Period at City Center. Inspired by the teachings from Suzuki Roshi and the symbolism of the bell in Zen practice, this talk explores the Bodhisattva’s unwavering path of sincerity, presence, and purpose. Through Ox-Herding Pictures 5 and 6, we follow the journey from striving and control to a state of acceptance and flow. Moving from “Taming the Ox” to “Riding the Ox Home,” we learn to meet ourselves with patience and embrace life as it is.

11/10/2024, Zesho Susan O'Connell, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk by Zesho Susan O’Connell examines the vast field of existence, the fabric of our world that can get torn and faded. We are not in control, but we can “clearly observe” the tears.

11/09/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center.

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Fall 2024 Practice Period co-leader Jisan Tova Green. How can we welcome what we find unwelcome—from pain, disturbing emotions or thoughts in Zazen to events in our country or the world? Drawing from teachings on Bodhicitta (awakening mind) and her experience as a hospice worker, Tova suggests ways we can turn toward and learn from experiences we don't welcome.

11/06/2024, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center.

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by tanto (head of practice) and practice period co-leader Gengyoko Tim Wicks. In the talk, Tim shares some of the teachings that are being studied this practice period and talks about practicing wherever we find ourselves. Recorded on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

11/03/2024, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this practice period talk, Senior Dharma Teacher Eijun asks: how do we practice when we are anxious and fearful —especially when there are great challenges in our life. Back to the basics!

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by visiting teacher Gaylon Ferguson. During the Fall 2024 Practice Period at Beginner’s Mind Temple, the community is studying Dr. Ferguson’s book “Welcoming Beginner’s Mind: Zen and Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom on Experiencing Our True Nature.” Dr. Ferguson begins by talking about the historical and continuing connection between San Francisco Zen Center and the Shambhala International Buddhist community where he was trained. Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche were close friends in life, and our communities continue that connection and shared practices. In the second portion of the talk, Dr. Ferguson looks at five phrases and their interpretations from Zen and Tibetan Buddhist perspectives. The five phrase-topics covered are: beginner’s mind; practice-realization; no gaining idea; buddha-buddha-buddha; and, “grief is a Buddha.” Recorded on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

10/30/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center.

In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Jisan Tova Green describes the Sejiki Ceremony, in which hungry ghosts are cajoled and offered food, including the sweet dew of the Dharma. She likens this to the experience many of us have when we set out on a spiritual path and describes the first of the Ten Oxherding Pictures, in which a person is walking in nature, seeking, looking a little lost. Something is missing. We all have within us hungry ghosts. Recorded on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.