AZC Weekly talks

 Mostly biographical materialSources: Meetings with Remarkable Women, Lenore Friedman, Shambhala 1987Subtle Sound ed. Roko Sherry Chayat Shambhala 1996

Readings from Stephen Batchelor's Introduction to his translation of Nagarjuna's Verses from the Centre. Nargajuna was an important Indian teacher and our 14th Zen Ancestor. Batchelor calls him "the poet of emptiness".

Teisho by Sensei Richard von SturmerReadings from the autobiography of Daiun Sogaku Harada-roshi, Roshi Kapleau's first teacher.

Individual consciousness, collective consciousness, universal consciousness.Sources: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider London 2021, Canticle to the Cosmos video series by Brian Swimme.

We can learn to guard our mind and nurture our aspiration by being careful of what we consume.Source: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider London 2021.

What we consume shapes us -- not just the food and drink that nourish our physical body but also the impressions of our five senses, what we long for, and what we think. We can learn to be mindful of our mind/body and be careful about what we consume.Sources: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider London 2021;The Universe is a Green Dragon by Brian Swimme, Bear and Company Publishing, Santa Fe New Mexico 1984.

Teisho by Sensei Richard von Sturmer.The Milindapañha (lit. 'Questions of Milinda') is a Buddhist text which dates from sometime between 100 BC and 200 AD. It is a dialogue between the Indian Buddhist sage Nāgasena, and the 2nd century BC Indo-Greek king Menander I (Pali: Milinda).

Morality, Awakening and Meditation -- that is, good character, prajna wisdom and daily zazen -- are what is looked for in a Zen teacher.Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede.

All the other precepts we take at Jukai flow from our taking refuge in Buddha (realisation), Dharma (truth) and Sangha (harmony).Various sources.

Some background on why we receive the sixteen precepts at Matariki. The importance of attending to our often harsh inner speech, and seeing through it.Source(s): Advice Not GIven by Mark Epstein, Hay House 2018

Some reflections on why we have ceremonies and rituals, and look at some of the legends behind the bathing of the baby Buddha.

A Dharma talk by Sensei Richard von Sturmer.Texts used: Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teachings of Shunryu Suzuki by David Chadwick; To Shine One Corner of the World by David Chadwick.

A first-hand case study in working with reactive states of mind.Source(s): A Fire Runs Through All Things: Zen Koans for Facing the Climate Crisis by Susan Murphy, Shambhala 2023

Comments on ten zen pointers on the practice of welcomingSource: Article by John Tarrant "How to welcome the end of the world" in Lion's Roar November 2016.

Just calmly see that all is one and by themselves false views will go.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

These dreams are merely flowers of air.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

The wise do not strive after goals.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

The great Master Joshu gives a teaching on non-abiding.Sources: various

Beyond the easy and the hard.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

 Dropping things and mind.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

Unifying the mind.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987

Attempts to stop activity will fill you with activity.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

How we create a sense of self with our habit of approval, disapproval and indifference.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

Dharma Talk by Jissai Prince-Cherry.Jissai Prince-Cherry has been practicing with the Rochester Zen Center since 1996 and currently serves as the Center's Online Head of Zendo as well as Group Leader of the Louisville Zen Center. In 2022, she was ordained as a Zen Buddhist Priest. She joined us via Zoom to give this dharma talk.

Reflections on the situation in Gaza and readings from Carlo Rovelli's book, White Holes.A Dharma talk by Richard von Sturmer.

A tale of Long Covid, anxiety and encounters with the bodhisattva of compassion. Adrian Croucher is a senior student at the Auckland Zen Centre. Resources: John Blofeld, "Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin", Shambhala Classics, 2009.

 Main text used: 'Encouraging Words' by Robert Aitken"Dharma talk by Sensei Richard von Sturmer.

Early life.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/CpEA7WV6ZKg6Qxk2ZQHRwUFVwOA

Impermanence.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/NSMcmbz-cf1WKcET-f-qPvae9IE

4. The illusion of separate self.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/TkOqLE0iw13xumEasfO6kdDa_lY

Encountering the Dharma and zen training at Hosshin-ji.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/HMUtCaw751dTCfjHjZ5wkRN3n34

The importance of vows.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/Zo5rmcgaI7SGBjbTlxJJBTXyEuE

3. Realization.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/wiY6T5dEwSi3aGdz6YqqeiSjz0s

Chan teacher Guo Gu explores how koans (gong'ans in Chinese) are not meant to be solved by us, but rather they can dis-solve our self preoccupations and cherished opinions.Source(s): Passing Through the Gateless Barrier: Koan Practice for Real Life by Guo Gu Shambhala 2016Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/dx9TToyDTTq8N6hfhx77g5EZ6fo 

Kyogen presents a dilemma. How can a man hanging by his teeth from a tree answer a question about Bodhidharma's coming from the west? If he opens his mouth to speak he'll fall to his death, if he remains silent he fails the questioner. When to remain silent, when to speak, and what to say can be life koans. Words are never sufficient, but they are called for at times. How can we respond authentically?Automated transcript:https://otter.ai/u/6o9lfo-XDbzXGG5SqAFMOprHRwI

Some reflections on violence and non-violence after the shootings at a downtown building site last Thursday [20 July].Source(s): Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider 2022.Automated transcript:https://otter.ai/u/ErSveE_ekPYuSTwBmtb_N-bewes

Ethical behaviour is at the very centre of the process of awakening. The Jukai ceremony allows us to renew our commitment to harmless and compassionate thought, speech and action, and sketches out in broad strokes what they look like.Sources: Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts by Reb Anderson Shambhala 2001, Disciples of the Buddha by Zenno Ishigami Kōsei 1989.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/jE_MW-lEO6B073yq9FBMlBBYpGE

The Diamond Sutra, part of the Prajna Paramita sutras, is second only to the Heart Sutra in importance for Zen Practitioners. A number of phrases taken directly from the sutra are to be found among the preliminary koans.Source: The Flowing Bridge by Elaine MacInnes Wisdom 2007Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/PK4ZrjzRqCkTNTuGBEoOodCke2E

Some reflections on the three main components of Earth Day -- sitting (mind), chanting (speech), and work (body).Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/47aCTOIuoooAdO55DSixq7IKghs

A very simple koan -- but don't be fooled --Tozan's 3 pounds of flax is unfathomable.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/zGsGRmDcu7Nz236FU0_boOg4vMQ

Buddhist and Zen teachings on work.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/vcJnNOoy1wXIVIJ2qry2MgEYa3M

Effort is an essential element in practice. It is one of the strands of the 8-fold Path, one of the 6 Paramitas, and one of the 7 factors of enlightenment. What is right effort, and does it relate to Aimlessness?Sources:VariousAutomated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/f9MKFMaWuO6LD_nSXZj8o_2OIvc 

As extreme weather events grow more frequent and it becomes more apparent that we have "entered a period of consequences" in regard to the climate crisis, how do we work with change, loss and devastation in ways that are healthy and helpful?Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/6OHcNJEnuep9ypXoeWdauGOd55c

Working with worries about the future and forgiving wrongs of the past.Text used: Our Appointment with Life: The Buddha's Teaching on Living in the Present, by Thich Nhat Hanh (translated by Annabel Laity), Parallax Press 1990.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/J3X3DVGBh0m0MYM1kdQV2wvn3Pg?utm_source=copy_url

Koans, their purpose, how they work, and why the can be called vile.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/AM0pX6W0btUp3p2GnIiRfBdid9M?utm_source=copy_url

fragment onlyText used: The Unborn; The Life and Teachings of Zen Master Bankei, 1622-1693, Translated and with an Introduction by Norman Waddell, North Point Press 1984.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/z0rPKjSyJe_Fk_80L4sT0uYxmsQ?utm_source=copy_url

Sickness and pain are inevitable but suffering is notText used: The Unborn; The Life and Teachings of Zen Master Bankei, 1622-1693, Translated and with an Introduction by Norman Waddell, North Point Press 1984.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/JK_XGhwZdC70lwtEvIFQW2GGf-U?utm_source=copy_url

Transforming the unborn Buddha Mind into the poisons.Text used: The Unborn; The Life and Teachings of Zen Master Bankei, 1622-1693, Translated and with an Introduction by Norman Waddell, North Point Press 1984.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/GhhPGXNPUsVKWTO7NeA1l2ouCtc?utm_source=copy_url

Meeting his master, deeper insights and beginning to teach.Text used: The Unborn; The Life and Teachings of Zen Master Bankei, 1622-1693, Translated and with an Introduction by Norman Waddell, North Point Press 1984.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/i1VtTlKwka3sxU8laG1HHMLnhIM?utm_source=copy_url

Childhood and early struggles to understand "bright virtue".Text used: The Unborn; The Life and Teachings of Zen Master Bankei, 1622-1693, Translated and with an Introduction by Norman Waddell, North Point Press 1984.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/d0xcqtvpkDy-FPwD3nrxvO--6fs?utm_source=copy_url