AZC Weekly talks

Roshi Amala Wrightson gives the second in her series of talks on the Sutra called "Knowing the better way to live alone". Roshi will be drawing on the translation and commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh in his book "Our Appointment with Life".In the context of the Sutra, “To live alone” doesn’t mean to isolate oneself from society-- it means to be present and steady, wherever you are, whatever your are doing. In this talk Roshi explores what it means to "live alone"-- not rejecting the world or society, but not attaching to what we experience either.Source(s): 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/nOFQ-IiuW9mN6CClqb2ix0b7HnM

Roshi Amala Wrightson gives the third in her series of talks on the Sutra called "Knowing the better way to live alone". Roshi will be drawing on the translation and commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh in his book "Our Appointment with Life".In this talk Roshi explores what it means to "live alone" when we understand "alone" as "all one" --wholehearted zen practice as love. Roshi also discusses forgiveness and letting go of the past. Source(s): 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/pqqDsGbFrPdceGo-MuqvzrU9sdQ

Roshi Amala Wrightson gives the first in her series of talks on the Sutra called "Knowing the better way to live alone". Roshi will be drawing on the translation and commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh in his book "Our Appointment with Life".In the context of the Sutra, “To live alone” doesn’t mean to isolate oneself from society-- it means to be present and steady, wherever you are, whatever your are doing. In this talk Roshi introduces the Sutra and the five skandhas. Source(s): 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/bHj9_MsoYg9DGIV5AB0hOuKWa7k

The third in a series of three dharma talks by Richard von Sturmer. In this talk The Richard takes up Dōgen’s writings on nature as well as exploring the wilderness poetry of Tang Dynasty China.Texts used:Our National Parks by John MuirDogen's 'Mountains and Waters Sutra' from Moon in a Dewdrop: Writings of Zen Master DogenClassic Chinese Poetry translated and edited by David Hinton

"Zazen is not sensory deprivation — anything but. Birds and geckos and bullfrogs guide us. Be open to these natural teachers, wherever you may be practicing." -Aitken RoshiThis is the second of three Dharma Talks on 'Zen and Nature' given by Richard at the Auckland Zen Centre.Texts used: Poetry and Zen: Letters and Uncollected Writings of R. H. Blyth by Norman WaddellPassing Through the Gateless Barrier by Guo GuThe Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon translated by Ivan Morris.

In this talk Richard explores interconnection on both vast and intimate scales. This is the first of three talks on 'Zen and Nature' given by Richard at the Auckland Zen Centre. Texts used: A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth by Henry GeeEarth: An Intimate History by Richard ForteyPilgrim at Tinker's Creek by Annie Dillard

In this talk Roshi Amala Wrightson continues to explore false views. The Diamond Sutra lists four mistaken notions we hold onto which distort our experience of the world; the views of "self", "human beings", "sentient beings" and "lifespan". Thich Nhat Hanh shows how throwing these false views away frees us to respond more effectively to the multiple crises we are facing in 2022.Main Source(s): Thich Nhat Hanh Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. Rider, 2021Brian Swimme, Canticle to the Cosmos. VHS Series.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/PEVKgfoJ1Lxq7VDowIW7VBMSh_w

In this talk Roshi Amala Wrightson explores false views.The Diamond Sutra lists four mistaken notions we hold onto which distort our experience of the world; the views of "self", "human beings", "sentient beings" and "lifespan". Thich Nhat Hanh shows how throwing these false views away frees us to respond more effectively to the multiple crises we are facing in 2022.Main Source(s): Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. Rider, 2021Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/Oq1HPYq_ItYB4QMa9_ledoFT1fQ

In this talk Roshi Amala Wrightson explores the concept and practice of frugality from a Zen perspective. Frugality is shaped by the motives behind it, such as prudent management of our finances, or reducing our environmental footprint. In Zen, cherishing the absolute value of each and every thing we encounter is at the heart of frugality. As Zuigan Goto-roshi said, "From the first, in people and in things, there is no such thing as trash."Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/6ke-DnnJWa76P-7dH6itPKI04S4

In this talk Roshi Amala Wightson takes up the koan "Vimalakirti's Silence" from The Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku #84). The thundering silence of the layman bodhisattva, Vimalakirti -- can you hear it?Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/6kdOZX1XBRPyMYYjtr2NLyLbwSc

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with common hindrances to practice. In this episode Roshi explores ghost caves, and identifying different types of their opposite, wandering thoughts.Sources: Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist path to natural awakening by Guo Gu Shambhala 2021, Shattering The Great Doubt, The Chan practice of Huatou by Master Sheng Yen, Shambhala 2009.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/PvjaMnenvZoad-3y8EMvAPiNRlM

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with common hindrances to practice. In this episode she looks at working with physical pain, and various kinds of "ghost caves" to watch out for.Sources: Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist path to natural awakening by Guo Gu Shambhala 2021Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/2SqT58-qz26zjM82zRFcARyyNJs

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with common hindrances that arise in our zazen.Sources: Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist path to natural awakening by Guo Gu Shambhala 2021Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/jbnu9g1YbRivwmjfipr_DMgo1mo

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with suffering. In this talk Roshi explores some highs and lows: Getting stuck in pleasant, "heavenly" states, and mistaking them for awakening -- and the pain of falling back to earth, plus some common misconceptions about spiritual practice.Sources: Turning Suffering Inside Out -- a Zen approach to living with physical and emotional pain by Darlene Cohen Shambhala 2002Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/LxashxNPdSEiSV_eK_qEdoP-M4E

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with suffering. In this talk Roshi explores delusive strategies for getting off the wheel that just make things worse.Sources: Turning Suffering Inside Out -- a Zen approach to living with physical and emotional pain by Darlene Cohen Shambhala 2002Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/2mNdeFQEqJOb2REwEE-s5wLK_No

Roshi Amala Wrightson on how to work with suffering. In this talk Roshi explores the ever-turning wheel of grasping and aversion, and the nature of dukkha (unsatisfactoriness) in the ups and downs of our everyday lives.Sources: Turning Suffering Inside Out -- a Zen approach to living with physical and emotional pain by Darlene Cohen Shambhala 2002Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/ezQ7u6x6Gqkzu3WPwbvQWDJZH6g

An exploration of happiness by Roshi Amala Wrightson, touching on some aspects of the psychology of Alfred Adler, who is considered one of the three fathers of depth psychology, along with Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Source(s): The Courage to Be Happy: True contentment is within your power, by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, Allen and Unwin 2016Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/jHe5q-QrDI84neYX5Yb_1Me6GDo

An exploration of happiness by Roshi Amala Wrightson, touching on some aspects of the psychology of Alfred Adler, who is considered one of the three fathers of depth psychology, along with Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Source(s): The Courage to Be Happy: True contentment is within your power, by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, Allen and Unwin 2016Automated Transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/T41TDJKC1vc6kLb8-ts31H2A_1k

A teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. When people hear of the 9th precept, "Not to indulge in anger but to practice forbearance" they often ask, "But what about injustice? There is so much to be angry about." The late Rita Gross, feminist scholar and activist, writes about how her response to injustice became clearer and more skilful after she took up meditation.Source(s): article "Meditation and Anger" in Being Bodies, Buddhist Women on the paradox of embodiment ed. Lenore Friedman and Susan Moon, Shambhala 1997.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/SVsLrD96vG_XkBTL2_wmEQyS9Ks

A teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Comments on an introductory lecture to a group of lay practitioners by Rindo Fujimoto (1894-1974), a Sōtō Zen teacher who trained under Sogaku Harada (Rōshi Kapleau's first main teacher) and Tōin Iida.Source: The Way of Zazen by Rindo Fujimoto, translated by Tetsuya Inoue and Joshihiku Tanigawa, Cambridge Buddhist Association, 1961.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/ipz3LtXVUNSyfJ7W_jebPvn9nCU

A teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Comments on an introductory lecture to a group of lay practitioners by Rindo Fujimoto (1894-1974), a Sōtō Zen teacher who trained under Sogaku Harada (Rōshi Kapleau's first main teacher) and Tōin Iida.Source: The Way of Zazen by Rindo Fujimoto, translated by Tetsuya Inoue and Joshihiku Tanigawa, Cambridge Buddhist Association, 1961.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/u7d3txnE38sJIHbv-S9nmWpVVkI

Each year AZC joins the global Earth Day celebrations, often marking the day with a one-day-sit. In this teisho Roshi Amala Wrightson introduces some prompts for sangha discussion of our thoughts and feelings about the state of the Earth in the light of the latest IPCC report, the wars in Ukraine and elsewhere, and other crises. (Discussion not recorded).Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/V3of-qrsUhOCaP09w-AANfe_spk

How Zen masters approach death and how their dying can act as their final teaching. Shortly before his death, Master Mazu (Ma) and his attendant had this famous exchange, recorded in the Blue Cliff Record:Blue Cliff Record, Case 3Great Master Ma was unwell. The temple superintendent asked him, “Teacher, how has your venerable health been in recent days?” The Great Master said, “Sun Face Buddha, Moon Face Buddha.”In this Dharma talk given at the Auckland Zen Centre, Richard von Sturmer explores this exchange and what we can learn from it. Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/dLq33lJrz09DGO_OCI6BP4KCCWc

In this teisho Roshi Amala Wrightson explores Buddhist approaches to anxiety and panic. Cutting through our deepest attachments and directly experiencing our inter-being with all phenomena is an antidote to our fears.Sources: Light Comes Through by Dzigar Kongtrul, Shambhala 2008Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/_UeqhXuKPaEmU6VjZwMrmCSVwpU

In this teisho Roshi Amala Wrightson explores anxiety and panic. What about Greta Thunberg's "I want you to panic"? Is there anything beneficial about panic? What are the roots of fear, anxiety and panic?Sources: Light Comes Through by Dzigar Kongtrul, Shambhala 2008; Pan and the Nightmare by James Hillman and Wilhelm Roscher, Spring 2007Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/BMNJNP8bGLfqYkdPMHwrZvm9G3E

In this teisho Roshi Amala Wrightson explores four constructive ways of working with panic attacks and acute anxiety so as to avoid falling further into the "fear-adrenalin-fear" vicious cycle.Sources: How I stopped my panic attacks by Yongey Mingyur Rimpoche in Lion's Roar January 28, 2022 and "I'm extremely controversial": The psychologist rethinking human emotion, by David Shariatmadari in The Guardian September 25, 2020. (The psychologist is Lisa Feldman Barrett.)Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/wK-TQ5acwoxaHJUvPL2z_mygPag

Ceremony of Aid for Ukraine, conducted at the Auckland Zen Centre by Roshi Amala Wrightson.

Roshi Amala Wrightson shares some thoughts on practising with Parkinson's Disease, a neuro-degenerative disorder, and not getting caught up in our notions of "wellness", which always come with "illness"attached.Text(s): article "The only way I know of alleviating suffering" by Darlene Cohen, in Being Bodies eds Lenore Friedman and Susan Moon 1997.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/Ske7QXLte7FjVoSAyT31UIkFoq0

In this teisho Roshi takes up a koan from The Blue Cliff Record: "Everyone has their own light" (Hekiganroku # 86). Here is the case: Ummon said, "Everybody has their own light. Though when you try to see it, you cannot, everything is darkness. What is everybody's light?" Later he answered himself saying, "The temple storeroom, the tower gateway". He also said, "A precious thing isn't as good as nothing". Ummon presents our human predicament: We each have our own light but when we try to see it everything is dark. What is this light, and what is the darkness? How do we find our way?Source(s): The Golden Age of Zen by John C.H WuAutomated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/Yn0cUA1CVjt87V_SsUdY4NFU9MU

The last of seven talks given by Roshi Amala Wrightson at the 2022 Auckland Zen Centre summer sesshin. In this teisho Roshi takes up a koan from The Blue Cliff Record: "The Hands and Eyes of the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion" (Hekiganroku # 89).How do we act with wisdom and compassion? Is it possible to grasp the truth 100 per cent?Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/hFqPDZEkMk6QJXpipmyiSzDY9cU

The sixth of seven talks given by Roshi Amala Wrightson at the 2022 Auckland Zen Centre summer sesshin. In this teisho Roshi takes up a koan from The Gateless Gate (Mumonkan # 23).Myo, an ex-general, is stopped in his tracks by the 6th Ancestor, Huineng. What does he realise?Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/sIqPid-iOweSisAHiAKCbuNB0hc

The fifth of seven talks given by Roshi Amala Wrightson at the 2022 Auckland Zen Centre summer sesshin. The inner critic and its disappearance in the face of unconditional love.Sources: Zen Bow article by Wes Borden, Summer 2018 and The Five Invitations by Frank OstaseskiAutomated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/JEuFooEDCqRUya7RlBIEXCr18iA

The third in a series of seven talks given by Roshi Amala Wrightson during the 2022 Auckland Zen Centre summer sesshin. Karma is not a predetermined mold, "rather, by virtue of one's own efforts, it is possible to move, even just a step, closer to one's aim."Sources: Awaken to the True Self: https://www.rzc.org/news/awaken-to-the-true-self/Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/5vjHiGyiDjKUeSQjFflKFI36NSI

The fourth of seven talks given by Roshi Amala Wrightson at the 2022 Auckland Zen Centre summer sesshin. Tangen-roshi's vow to become like a chair.Sources: Awaken to the True Self, https://www.rzc.org/news/awaken-to-the-true-self/Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/Eena83iPhtMxX51ZvDDuNUF_wZw

The second in a series of seven talks given by Roshi Amala Wrightson during the 2022 Auckland Zen Centre summer sesshin. This talk covers training at Bukkoku-ji and the emphasis on inner discipline.Sources: Zen Bow article by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede, Summer 2018: https://www.rzc.org/news/harada-tangen-roshi/Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/xg5fXejE74VUxln2KXBgmeMbuAg

The first in a series of seven talks given by Roshi Amala Wrightson during the 2022 Auckland Zen Centre summer sesshin. Tangen-roshi's close calls with death reinforce his sense of being held and protected by a benevolent universe.Sources: Zen Bow article by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede, Summer 2018: https://www.rzc.org/news/harada-tangen-roshi/Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/Q-ET4mPpMBpQ8GP3K4euIdNd1rI

Roshi Amala Wrightson explores Huineng's three antidotes to grasping; no thought, no form, and non-abiding.Main Text: Silent Illumination by Guo Gu.Automated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/50dLN5y5B-i48kyIbbIzV0baELs

Roshi Amala Wrightson explores contentment from a Zen perspective. Contentment, usually rather dryly called "non-grasping" in Zen, is an essential attitude in our practice life; an antidote to restlessness and a middle way between attachment and aversion.Main Text(s): Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening by Guo GuAutomated transcripthttps://otter.ai/u/6Lx_X8osLv5XZThPlgOk4S1Y_iA

Wholehearted chanting can be a bridge that connects us with loved ones and with more-than-human realms. It can also take us into a present which contains both past and future, the living and the dead. Sources: Article "Why do we recite sutras?" by Hakuun Yasutani-roshi, and Zen Wisdom, Knowing and Doing by Master Sheng Yen Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/R-h9EqrVfOhU6vYYlGbqA6Llqzc

Exploring how the self-centred emotion of arrogance (or pride) causes pain in ourselves and others, plus a glimpse of what it feels like to be on the other end of arrogance. Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/G62yeu0YvzLI9DH2UabB-HRgMXk Text: Light Comes Through by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

Who do we trust for our information? How open-minded are we? Can we see beyond the views of the people we disagree with and stay connected? Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/XzTeGS3N0GbY_WzQ5slHpLLY-_k

Talk given in recognition of Māori Language Week (Te Wiki o te Reo Māori). Some background on our 4 vows translation, Ko ngā Oati e Whā. Beginning to explore key concepts of the Maōri worldview, with a look at whanaungatanga, or right relationship. Text(s): In right relationship -- whanaungatanga by Haylee Kiroi in Climate Aotearoa ed. Helen Clark

In lockdown again, many of the ways that we "get a break from ourselves" are no longer possible. So how do we work with painful habits of thinking and feeling? Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/g9eity7un76x1QQGlup3GyICboM

How can we engage in our lives without falling into subject/object dualism? How can we hold onto nothing in the very midst of using all our senses? Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/4XeQRqAdbuBUg-aOjPSQ_aEgGPw

When Yu realises master Linji's "true person of no rank" she leaps beyond convention and societal norms. Text(s): The Hidden Lamp, Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women, ed.Florence Caplow and Susan Moon Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/qhM5PQADJaOGJo_pJqDyazNJWYo

The space around our thoughts. Text(s): Not I, Not Other than I, The Life and Teachings of Russel Wlliams ed. Steve Taylor O-Books 2015 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/5Wio99bNCEzPoRnqGVhwFaW3di8

"You are not the conditions that make you do things." Text(s): Not I, Not Other than I, The Life and Teachings of Russel Wlliams ed. Steve Taylor O-Books 2015 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/WvZbHLiB-G8-YyOKX60zfP1pqhs

Self-preoccupation and the three conceits. Text(s): Not I, Not Other than I, The Life and Teachings of Russel Wlliams ed. Steve Taylor O-Books 2015 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/DKAxUiEOAaMZiC6FiUNq8Fgkf-k

The Manchester Buddhist Society and starting to teach. Non-returner and Bodhisattva paths. Text(s): Not I, Not Other than I, The Life and Teachings of Russel Wlliams ed. Steve Taylor O-Books 2015 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/yXjIWkytWMnTC-PCpdG1oARj1NI

Working with horses and people Text(s): Not I, Not Other than I, The Life and Teachings of Russel Wlliams ed. Steve Taylor O-Books 2015 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/oJLpNH5PagZFSrL0xHzyHLC8Akg