September 5, 2019 Given all of the seemingly intractable problems in the world today, it would be easy to lose heart or simply tune out.  Ryoshin examines how the Buddha’s teachings can allow us to stay present with what’s happening in the world, and live an awakened life, right now.

Soten explores Case 21 of the Book of Serenity, “Yunyan Sweeps the Ground,” to point to the enlightening nature of our everyday lives.

August 9, 2019 Karuna Sesshin Ryoshin looks at a question asked of the Buddha in the Vimalakirti Sutra: “how can we create a Buddha land?” In contemplating this question, we see that our own life is, of itself, a Buddha land, or source of the awakened mind.

Senior student JoAn offers his perspective on the Vimalakirti Sutra to those in attendance at the Village Zendo’s Karuna sesshin at Wisdom House in Litchfield, Connecticut on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

In the fifth talk of Dai Sesshin, Jiryu offers this: We waste our lives chasing temporary, superficial things, and our disappointment leads to grief. Here’s a practice that loosens greed’s grip on our minds, and frees us to appreciate this moment.

In the fourth talk of Dai Sesshin, Gessho tells the story of female chan master Moshan Lioran.

In the third talk of Dai Sesshin, Fusho uses a story from the Vimalakirti Sutra to examine how our constant transformation can be a means for good.

In the second talk of Dai Sesshin, Kenko reflects on householder practice and leaving home for sesshin.

July 21, 2019 Gessho explores the life and teachings of Prajnatara, who is part of both our male and female ancestral lineages.

Jo An shares about a visit from his in-laws. He talks about the dangers of our reflexive conditioned thinking and “getting stuck”.  Jo An voices concern that not looking at our intrinsic bias and conditioning allows for the three poisons to increase.