San Francisco Zen Center Dharma Talks

Given by Kokyo Henkel at Green Gulch Farm on August 30th, 2026

Kokyo Henkel explores three classic Zen sayings by Ninth Century Chinese Zen Ancestor Changsha: the entire world is the radiant light of our true self; that we need to take a step forward from the top of a hundred-foot pole; and that when an earthworm is cut in two the buddha-nature can't be divided.

Given by Sozan Miglioli at City Center on August 29th, 2026

Sozan Miglioli examines key moments in the history of our practice: Mahakashyapa's smile, Vimalakirti's thundering silence, Dogen's teaching on “Dotoku" (the capacity to speak from realization), and Katagiri Roshi's two books. The question running through all of it: does something, spoken or unspoken, come from realization or from concept?

Given by Jiryu Rutschman-Byler at Green Gulch Farm on August 23rd, 2026

Jiryu Rutschman-Byler reflects on Suzuki Roshi’s encouragement to “not lose these points: how to be kind to others and how to be one with others,” and offers practices and stories to support these inter-related practices.

Given by Odo Ellen Simpson at City Center on August 19th, 2026

Odo Ellen Simpson explores the nature of spiritual friendship in the context of Buddhist life is a support to our practice and a joyous component of our lives together.

Given by Dan Zigmond at City Center on August 13th, 2026

Dan Zigmond explores attention itself as a form of generosity: dana, the first of the Buddhist perfections and, as he puts it, the ground floor of the whole path.

Given by Kika Susan Hellein at Green Gulch Farm on August 9th, 2026

Kika Hellein discusses the relationship between interior and external realities.

Given by Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo at City Center on August 5th, 2026

Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo examines how gossip can either protect or damage communities, arguing that harmful speech has lasting consequences while mindful communication strengthens trust and compassion.

Given by Jan Willis at Green Gulch Farm on August 2nd, 2026

Dr. Jan Willis discusses the life of eighth-century poet and philosopher, Shantideva, and what it can teach us about genuine bodhisattva practice.

Given by Eijun Linda Cutts at Green Gulch Farm on July 26th, 2026

Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts explores how caring with wholehearted attention to what is before us and within us realizes the practice of expressing the True Reality of All Things.

Given by Tenzen David Zimmerman at City Center on July 25th, 2026

Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman offers three analogies related to light as supportive practices for zazen, noting that in Zen, light serves as a powerful analogy for awareness.