In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Chris Senko Perez explores the wisdom of the Diamond Sutra with humility and insight. Drawing from various commentaries, he investigates how this ancient text points to the fundamental truth of “exactly this here right now.” Perez shares his own struggle with feeling inadequate to address such a profound text, revealing how this very struggle exemplifies the…

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In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Sensei Wendy Dainin Lau explores the Diamond Sutra’s challenging and often paradoxical teachings and the importance of the Bodhisattva vows in cultivating an upright presence during uncertain times. She highlights an aspect of vow by describing Buddha engaged in ordinary activities—collecting food, eating, washing his feet—setting the stage for “the sacredness…

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In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Sensei Monshin thoughtfully guides us into an embodied practice of wisdom and compassion, inviting us to examine the misunderstandings that shape our perception of self and reality. Drawing from Harry Roberts’ Walking in Beauty: Growing Up with the Yurok Indians, she explores the care and struggle required to transform these misunderstandings into a path toward…

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In this heartfelt Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Hoshi Chris Senko Perez weaves together his personal journey to Zen practice with reflections on the Prajnaparamita Sutra. Sharing the path that led him from a life of work addiction and alcoholism to finding a spiritual home at Upaya, Senko reveals how meditation practice created space for transformation even during his most challenging times.

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In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Sensei Kodo brings his characteristic warmth and curiosity to an exploration of classic Mahayana literature. With equal parts scholarly enthusiasm and playful inquiry, he delves into this classical Buddhist text, beginning with the Matriarchs lineage chant before venturing into what he calls “dharma geek” territory – the Prajnaparamita Sutra in 8,000 Lines.

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In this final talk of the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Senseis Wendy Johnson, Kozan, Kodo, and Roshi Joan Halifax weave together teachings on practicing with sincerity and innocence. Beginning with reflections on practicing “without aiming,” they move through stories of Manjushri and Dogen’s instructions on posture, culminating in Roshi Joan’s powerful message about meeting the world’s…

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In this talk from the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Kozan explores Case 24 of Dogen’s collection, “The Great Kalpa Fire,” where Zen Master Dasui teaches about the nature of impermanence and attachment. Through stories of practice and careful examination of Buddhist teachings about birth-and-death, Kozan reveals how our attempts to hold onto anything—even our practice itself—keep us from…

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In this talk from the third full day of the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Wendy Johnson explores Yunmen’s teaching “rice in the bowl, water in the bucket” through Case 158 of the Shobogenzo. Weaving together stories of rice cultivation across cultures, personal encounters with rice farmers in Japan, and the deep meaning of oryoki practice, Wendy conveys how every grain of rice contains…

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In this talk from the second full day of the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Kodo explores the nature of non-conceptual presence through Case 249 of the Shobogenzo, “The Dharma That Has Never Been Spoken.” Drawing on the dialogue between Priest Nirvana and Nanchuan, he illuminates how our constant commentary and conceptual overlays separate us from direct experience.

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In this teaching from the first full day of the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Roshi Joan Halifax explores the profound wisdom found in everyday practice through the lens of the koan “Wash Your Bowl”. Drawing on personal stories of her early training and the teachings of ancestors who practiced during times of great upheaval, she illuminates how true practice means working with “the ingredients…

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