In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk given during the Winter Practice Period, Sensei Kodo explores Case 214 from Dogen’s 300 Koan Shobogenzo: If you raise a particle of dust, the nation flourishes but the people frown; if you don’t raise a particle of dust, the nation perishes but the people are at ease. Sensei Kodo connects this to modern challenges of technology and constant stimulation…

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In this intimate Wednesday night Dharma talk during the Winter Practice Period, Sensei Wendy Johnson weaves together themes of resilience, renewal, and radical engagement through the metaphor of a well-worn Buddhist robe. Beginning with acknowledgment of current global challenges – from earthquakes in Tibet to environmental crises – she explores how we meet these “dragon times” with authentic…

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In this final session of the 2024 Gathering Dharma series, Roshi Joan Halifax and Sensei Kozan explore how Buddhist practice and social activism are deeply intertwined. Drawing on examples from influential figures like Dr. Ambedkar’s work with India’s Dalit community and Thich Nhat Hanh’s engaged Buddhism during the Vietnam War, they illustrate how Buddhist principles can effectively address…

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In this Gathering Dharma session, Buddhist teachers Sharon Salzberg and Frank Ostaseski explore the profound nature of service and compassion. Drawing from their extensive spiritual and humanitarian work, they reveal service as spiritual practice and state of being. Salzberg introduces equanimity not as detachment, but as a balanced perspective that nourishes compassion. She offers insights on…

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In this final Wednesday Night Dharma Talk of 2024, Sensei Monshin explores the deeper meaning of giving during the holiday season. Drawing from both Buddhist teachings about dana paramita (the practice of giving) and indigenous wisdom – particularly Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass” – Monshin weaves a rich tapestry of insights about generosity. The talk comes alive through personal…

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Senseis Kodo and Kozan share reflections from Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind, the nature of effort, and self-judgement in practice.

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On the final full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Genzan discuss the origin, manifestation, and potential of spiritual practice. Sensei Kaz highlights the life and teachings of Roshi Joan and her deep and meaningful contributions to awakened action in the world. Kaz uses Roshi as an example to reflect on the integration of wisdom and compassion in daily life and spiritual practice.

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On the fifth full day of Rohatsu, Sensei Kaz and Wendy Lau explore the roots of Buddhist teachings. Kaz reflects on an excerpt from the Avatamsaka Sutra, and discusses themes of spiritual beliefs and practices in the early centuries of Buddism making comments of how ideas of practice have changed through time. Wendy Lau discusses practical approaches to cultivating gratitude, which begins with an…

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On the fourth full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Shinzan explore the interplay of spiritual insight and practical or “common sense” wisdom. Sensei Kaz emphasizes maintaining ethical boundaries in spiritual practice, warning against neglecting common sense in pursuit of spiritual insight. Sensei Shinzan shares how the essence of practice remains consistent whether on the meditation cushion or…

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During this third full day of Rohatsu Sesshin, Senseis Kaz and Monshin delve into zazen as a “distillation of the highest wisdom.” They discuss how we often selectively choose what receives our attention, typically filtering experiences through a narrow lens of personal preferences, fears, and ingrained biases. A core challenge for spiritual practitioners is to cultivate a radically different…

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