Episode Description: In this second talk of our spring sesshin, Henry elucidates the the case of an old, wise woman near Taizan who gives directions to a lost monk. Henry acknowledges the many women teachers within Zen history and this lineage. He discusses the depth of awakening that Joshu senses in the old woman and describes how the ten Ox-herding pictures provide a map to awakening. In this wide-ranging discussion Henry captures the essence of Zen’s promise—the infinite compassion of Kanzeon springing from Manjusri’s ultimate wisdom.

Image Credit: Spirit of Meditation, by Hartwig HKD, CC BY-ND 2.0.

Featured Image Credit: Playing the gayageum, by Republic of Korea, CC BY-SA 2.0