October 11, 2020 Kansho brings up the first Pure Precept which reads, “Not knowing, thereby giving up fixed ideas about myself and the universe.  This is ceasing from evil.”  Kansho discusses how, by becoming intimate with not knowing — the mystery at the heart of our reality — we can go beyond our instinctual impulse […]

In her talk Sal Gessho Randolph explores our fundamental practice of zazen. Recorded October 8, 2020 Audio only podcast version here:

In this talk, Ryoshin examines the myriad things that make up our lives in this moment. While some enjoy the nip in the fall air, others experience wildfires ravaging the American West. We also live in a time of great division. Zen practice teaches us to “drop body and mind” and to embrace “not knowing.” […]

At few times in our history has political conflict been so destructive. What should a Zen Buddhist do? We can look back to Frederick Douglass and his fellow abolitionists for an example. In America’s worst crisis, their fight for justice was an expression of their religious principles.

In his talk, “Transcending Blind Spots in Zen Practice,”  Senior Student Neil Soten Theise explores the question of how to notice our own blind spots — physical, emotional sensorial — even amidst a zen practice that is stable and steady over the short or long term. He defines blind spots as those edges of our practice […]

August 23, 2020 Musho takes another look at Dogen’s essay “Painting of a Rice Cake” from the point of view of an artist who has painted many “rice cakes.” On the occasion of his 60th birthday, Musho encourages us to marvel at Dogen’s radical all-inclusive view of reality. Here is Dogen’s text: Painting of a […]

August 2, 2020 Fusho explores Dogen Zenji’s “Painting of a Rice Cake” by sharing her experience leading the Village Zendo’s recent “Filmmaking With an Open Heart” workshop.   Click below for audio recording only, or use your podcast app.

In this talk, Joren examines how we creatively engage in the practice of true expression, using the virtual tools of our time. She reflects on the workings of this virtual channel of true expression, with its limitations and possibilities, in this critical moment.

In his Dharma talk, “The Stories We Tell,” Senior Student Ryoshin explicates our Summer Ango study text, Dogen’s “Painting of a Rice Cake,” examining the many ways that our stories affect our lives and that our lives affect our stories. He reminds us that we can use our practice to observe the stories that we […]

In this talk Yuuka faces the trauma in her body and challenges us to work with our collective bodies to heal racialized trauma. She brings up the koans “Nansen Kills the Cat” and “An Outsider Questions the Buddha” to provide insight into violence and love.   For audio only, click below or use your favorite […]