Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi Zen Mountain Monastery, 6/09/2019

Concluding a retreat on the Four Immeasurables, this discourse by Shugen Roshi explores an excerpt from Dogen’s Genjokoan to help us deeply understanding the value of humility in bringing forth true confidence. This talk is one of a series on the ten core values which form the basis of the Beyond Fear of Differences work.

Ron Hogen Green, Sensei

Zen Center of New York City, 6/9/2019

Starting from a section in the Diamond Sutra that examines the fact that truth is not found in letters, Hogen Sensei explores how zazen helps reveal answers to fundamental questions that cannot be found in scripture, words, or thoughts.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi Zen Mountain Monastery, 6/02/2019

Gateless Gate, Case 35

This talk explores how we can each live undivided lives along true paths in union with the whole.

Ron Hogen Green, Sensei

Zen Center of New York City, 6/2/2019

Book of Serenity, Case 8 In this commentary to a well-known koan, Hogen Sensei explores the role of zazen and insight in seeing through, transforming, and being liberated from karma while being in its midst. What would it mean to “be free from cause and effect”? And what are the implications of “not ignoring cause and effect”? Whether we’re talking about issues of concentrated power or the subtle play of our minds, there is always space for compassionate action.

Ron Hogen Green, Sensei

Zen Center of New York City, 6/1/2019

True Dharma Eye, Case 79 Hogen Sensei takes up the case of Yaoshan’s Discourse in Dogen’s Three Hundred Koan Shobogenzo to reflect on the importance of Zazen. This talk reviews two common misperceptions about zazen: “letting it all go” and bypassing what needs to be worked through, and also using Zazen as a meditation practice to dwell on thoughts and missing the opportunity to examine what is the “self”. Referring back to the “thundering silence” demonstrated by Yaoshan, Hogen Sensei offers encouragement that we are already on the path to realize suchness that is beyond speech by just sitting.

Patrick Yunen Kelly, Senior Lay Student Zen Center of New York City, 05/26/2019   Using teachings of Shantideva as a starting point, Yunen explores how lay practice can be a strong, vital, integrated part of training in Zen Buddhist practice, much as the Buddha intended in describing the the sangha as comprised of laypeople and monastics practicing together.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi Zen Mountain Monastery, 5/25/2019

Taking up Dogen’s Fascicle Shoaku Makusa, Shugen Roshi explores how our open awareness is like a child’s expression of “refrain from unwholesome action, do wholesome action,” but in practice this seemingly easy instruction is quite difficult. Why? This is the heart of being human and facing the whole of reality of our lives.

Danica Shoan Ankele, Monastic

Zen Mountain Monastery, 05/24/2019

 

If the truth fills the whole universe and nothing is hidden, why don’t I see it? How do I work with this “mind of afflictions” which is identical to “Buddha mind”? Mn. Shoan brings us encouraging words from the Mahamudra tradition to help us with our practice of manifesting Buddha.

Michelle Seigei Spark, Lay Senior

Zen Mountain Monastery, 5/23/2019

Being affected by and affecting others, in every interaction we can appreciate what we offer and what we receive. Lay student Seigei explores this awareness of intention, before the thought, and how with every action and in every moment we re-make the world.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi Zen Mountain Monastery, 5/22/2019

True Dharma Eye 278Main Case: Damei Fachang asked Mazu, “What is buddha?”Mazu said, “Mind is Buddha.”

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