11/16/2024, Paula Arai, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk by visiting teacher Paula Arai at Beginner’s Mind Temple explores Buddhism from a woman’s perspective, focusing on the liberating power of storytelling in sutras. Combining rigorous research and an embodied approach, Arai humanizes Buddhist women’s experiences. She shared two stori…

11/13/2024, Eli Brown-Stevenson, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson, co-leader of the fall 2024 Practice Period at City Center. Inspired by the teachings from Suzuki Roshi and the symbolism of the bell in Zen practice, this talk explores the Bodhisattva’s unwavering path of s…

11/09/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Fall 2024 Practice Period co-leader Jisan Tova Green. How can we welcome what we find unwelcome—from pain, disturbing emotions or thoughts in Zazen to events in our country or the world? Drawing from teachings on Bodhicitta (awakening mi…

11/06/2024, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by tanto (head of practice) and practice period co-leader Gengyoko Tim Wicks. In the talk, Tim shares some of the teachings that are being studied this practice period and talks about practicing wherever we find ourselves. Recorded on Wed…

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by visiting teacher Gaylon Ferguson. During the Fall 2024 Practice Period at Beginner’s Mind Temple, the community is studying Dr. Ferguson’s book “Welcoming Beginner’s Mind: Zen and Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom on Experiencing Our True Nature.” Dr. Ferguson begins by talking about the historical and …

10/30/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center.In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Jisan Tova Green describes the Sejiki Ceremony, in which hungry ghosts are cajoled and offered food, including the sweet dew of the Dharma. She likens this to the experience many of us have when we set out on a spiritual path and describes the fi…

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Fall 2024 Practice Period co-leader So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson. This talk centers on the Zen practice of welcoming, rooted in Suzuki Roshi's teachings. We explore how welcoming everything—joy, discomfort, and impermanence—brings us into deeper alignment with the present moment. Through the meta…

10/19/2024, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple’s October one-day sitting, held at Unity Church, by Tanto (head of practice) Gengyoko Tim Wicks. Using this famous koan (Zen teaching story) Tim discusses the connection that our pasts have with the present and how it is that we practice …

10/13/2024, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.This dharma talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by San Francisco Zen Center president Sozan Michael McCord. While we honor and treasure the memories, lessons and times with people who we knew in the past, it is that very memory of how temporary this life is — that everything is changi…

10/12/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman. In Case 36 of the ‘Gateless Gate’ (Mumonkan), Zen teacher Wuzu poses a question to his students: “Meeting a person of the Way, not using words or silence, how will you greet them?” Abbot David …

10/09/2024, So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson. Words are powerful, but they can also lead us astray—especially when teachings cross cultures and languages. In this talk, we’ll explore how mistranslations and misunderstandings of Buddhist concepts s…

10/05/2024, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Shosan Victoria Austin. When we are challenged by anger, it's easy to react and difficult to respond. How might Zen practices of giving, tolerance and enthusiasm help us let go of relational barriers, transforming them into gateway…

10/02/2024, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Our narratives and our histories shape our conditioned being. Acknowledging this conditioning, we take Refuge in Buddha, the innate capacity to awaken. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Ryushin investigates how our stories and narratives influence our experience of the world.…

This talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道. The talk is an exploration of taking refuge in our true nature as we navigate the seasons of life.Di Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Onryu Mary Stares. In this talk Onryu Mary Stares discusses the five considerations the Buddha lists that allow us to practice Right Speech. These considerations shape our relationship with ourselves and with all beings.Di Onryu Mary Stares

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Hondo Dave Rutschman. One of the most important questions each of us has to work out in our life is deciding what it is we will take care of. In this talk, Dave considers what it might mean to take care of our practice through time—to appreciate all those who have maintained it for us in the p…

09/22/2024, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.This dharma talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Tanto Thiemo Blank. ​The talk gives an introduction into the precepts of the Zen lineage ​as well as T​hiemo's ​p​ersonal path in finding meaning in the precepts beyond a seemingly rule-driven moral guideline.…

09/15/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.In this talk given at Green Gulch Farm, Abiding Abbott Jiryu Rutschman-Byler continues to explore four core elements of zazen practice: low belly, upright spine, clear mind, and wide-open welcoming. He focuses in particular on the practice of "clearing the mind," using teachings of …

09/14/2024, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center.In this dharma talk, given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by tanto (head of practice) Gengyoko Tim Wicks, Tim speaks about working with everything that arises in zazen including grief and difficult emotions, for it is all a part of being awake.Di Gengyoko Tim Wicks

09/08/2024, Stephanie Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.This talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Gyokuden Steph Blank. In the talk, Gyokuden invokes dragon energies and invites us to awaken together right now; heartbreak welcome, dharma companions manifest, failure being no obstacle to practice. Discussing the role of intention as the determ…

09/07/2024, James Ishmael Ford, dharma talk at City Center.This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple’s pop-up zendo at Unity Church on Page Street, by visiting teacher James Ishmael Ford. In the talk, Roshi Ford tells a story from his latest book, “The Intimate Way of Zen: Effort, Surrender, and Awakening on the Spiritual Journey.” In hi…

09/01/2024, Gil Fronsdal, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.This extemporaneous talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Gil Fronsdal. In the talk, Gil brings forward the teachings that arose in that moment.Di Gil Fronsdal

08/31/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at City Center.In this talk, Abbot Jiryu describes the fundamental Zen practice of "welcoming everything," and emphasizes the posture - grounded belly, upright spine, and clear mind - that we can care for in order to fully embody and actualize that practice.…

08/30/2024, Chikudo Catherine Spaeth, dharma talk at Tassajara.Di Chikudo Catherine Spaeth

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Heather Shoren Iarusso. Heather highlights one of the most striking stories about Buddhist women, from the "The Hidden Lamp" collection - Miaozong's dharma interview. She talks about how the story's frankness helps reclaim women's power. Recorded on August 30, 2024.…

08/28/2024, Shundo David Haye, dharma talk at City Center.In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Shundo reflects on a recent visit to Tassajara, which included the monthly Full Moon Ceremony and the Obon Ceremony. He encourages us to remember our place in the ongoing lineage of Buddhas and Ancestors.…

08/28/2024, Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at Tassajara.Di Pamela Weiss

08/27/2024, Jan Willis, dharma talk at Tassajara. In this talk, Jan Willis discusses the conditions around the time of Buddha's lifetime, and how the Buddhist community was created.Di Jan Willis

08/25/2024, Onryu Mary Stares, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.In this talk Onryu Mary Stares discusses reality: how our attachments and karma lead us to obscure reality; how practice guides us to seek what is real in each moment.Di Onryu Mary Stares

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Shogen Danielson. Shogen's talk touches on the absolute, the inconceivable aspects of the human condition, that we also call Buddha Nature. Recorded on August 23, 2024.Di Shogen Danielson

08/21/2024, Shundo David Haye, dharma talk at Tassajara. In this talk, Shundo explains the elements and significance of the Full Moon Ceremony to those who had participated in it on their arrival day at Tassajara, and encourages everyone to understand their role in creating and sustaining the monastery and the community.…

08/21/2024, Dan Gudgel, dharma talk at City Center.In this dharma talk, given at Beginner’s Mind Temple, Dan uses the Soto Zen standard “Confession” verse to explore the connections between personal and collective karma. The verse is: “All my ancient twisted karma, from beginningless greed, hate and delusion, born through body speech and mind, I no…

08/18/2024, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.The Sixth Chinese Zen Ancestor, defining "zazen" (sitting meditation), said " 'za' (sitting) means not to be obstructed by anything and not to activate thoughts about objects, and 'zen' means to see our original nature without being confused." In this talk, Kokyo explores what it means to re…

08/17/2024, Sokaku Kathie Fischer, dharma talk at City Center.In this dharma talk, given at Beginner’s Mind Temple, Kathie references Eihei Dogen's work, "Receiving the Marrow by Bowing," to tell the stories of important Zen women ancestors in the light of changing demographics over the millennia, and discuss Zen master Dogen's courageous and uncom…

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Shindo Gita Gayatri. Shindo discusses the unique quality of zazen, and references Dogen's Fukanzazengi, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Ayurvedic medicine in her talk. Recorded on August 16, 2024Di Shindo Gita Gayatri

In this talk, given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji), Shindo Gita Gayatri reflects on times of change at Zen Center and in the wider world, using Dogen's fascicle Uji (Being Time) and the non-dual Advaita Vedanta teachings from her native India to illustrate her thoughts. Recorded on August 14, 2024.…

08/14/2024, Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center.This talk was given at Beginner's Mind Temple, by Roger Hillyard. The path is sometimes dark and difficult, sometimes smooth and joyous. It is always circuitous and doesn't proceed in a linear direction, so we cannot resist its call. When we seek the extraordinary we miss what is before us, ben…

08/11/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.In this talk Jiryu discusses four fundamental, inter-related aspects of the Zen posture of body and mind which we can care for in sitting and in daily life: 1) grounded in the belly, 2) upright and strong in our spine, 3) clear and empty in our mind, and 4) warmly welcoming of the w…

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Joan Amaral. In this talk, Joan invites everyone to cherish and enjoy the shared body practice of being in the mountains. Recorded on August 10, 2024.Di Joan Amaral

08/04/2024, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.An exploration of the the koan: Zhaozhou's Cypress Tree in the Courtyard.Di Rinso Ed Sattizahn

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Kodo Conlin. Recorded on August 3, 2024.Di Kodo Conlin

07/31/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center.This talk was given at Beginner's Mind Temple, by Tova Green. Tova explores deep listening on the personal, relational, community, and global levels. Investigating the meaning of her dharma name, MyoCho, Wondrous or Subtle Listening, Tova shares stories that express the compassionate nature o…

07/28/2024, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.Studying Zen precepts, our tradition transmits a wealth of teachings to help us stop harming at personal and interpersonal levels. At this time in the West, we need to develop our ability to stop supporting harm and evil in groups and systems. Understanding and admitting how we may…

07/21/2024, Dr. Grace Dammann, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.Dr. Grace Dammann, a previouse Green Gulch Resident and physician, who was honored by the Dalai Lama for her extraordinary work speaks about the difference between suffering and pain from her experience as a doctor, practitioner and patient.…

07/20/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center.This talk was given at one of Beginner's Mind Temple’s pop-up events at Unity Church, by Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman. Dogen Zenji’s beautiful and inspiring essay “Bodaisatta Shishobo” addresses four central practices of a bodhisattva ─ giving, loving speech, beneficial action, …

07/14/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.Each life is a journey and we are all travelers. Some are forced to travel, displaced by wars or the climate crisis, others are unhoused, others travel for work, study, or recreation. The roles of host and guest are heightened by travel. Many come to Green Gulch and other Zen centers for…

In this talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji), Horin Nancy Petrin talks about the new Zen-Inspired Senior Living Facility, Enso Village, and about ageing as a practice. Recorded on July 13, 2024.Di Horin Nancy Petrin

07/13/2024, Kogen Jamie Howell, dharma talk at City Center.This talk was given by Kogen Jamie Howell at one of Beginner’s Mind Temple’s pop-up events at Unity Church, San Francisco. Jamie discusses his lay (i.e., not ordained clergy) Zen life in both the Rinzai and Soto traditions in the west, highlighting similarities and differences in their appr…

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Inryũ Poncé-Barger. IInryũ invokes stories about the beloved Zen poet Ryokan, and discusses other koans and commentaries. Recorded on July 12, 2024.Di Inryũ Poncé-Barger

07/07/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.In this talk, Jiryu discusses traditional Zen practices of generating doubt and wonder - through meditating on "huatou" questions like "who drags this corpse around?" - and discusses how Soto Zen practice expresses that same wonder in a more subtle way as a point of posture in sitti…