The No-Rank Zendo Podcast

In this Teisho, given on February 22nd 2026, Rinzan Osho examines The Rinzai Roku: Jodo I. Here Rinzan Osho introduces the nuances of Rinzai's expression of Zen, always pointing to the True Person of No-Rank and always inviting confidence in his followers.

In this Teisho, given on February 8th 2026, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: The Goddess and the Flowers. ur practice starts with restraint which allows us to see through. Seeing through, we can drop concepts and learn to move freely amidst preferences. This gives space for the development of wisdom and discernment which directs us toward working for what is ... good.

In this Teisho, given on February 1st, 2026, Rinzan Osho examines case !00 of the Hekiganroku Haryo's Sword Against Which A Hair is Blown. How do we break through our own barriers? What is revealed to us when we do?

In this Teisho, given on January 25th, 2026, Rinzan Osho examines case 99 of the Hekiganroku Chu Kokushi and the Ten Bodied Herdsman. How do we know when to take action? What gets in the way of right action?

In this Teisho, given on January 22nd 2026, during winter sesshin (long retreat), Rinzan Osho examines case 97 of the Hekiganroku: The Transgression is Wiped Out. We can get caught not only in a world in which we are caught by our own likes and dislikes but also a world in which we are caught with the preoccupoation of being liked or disliked. How can we work to be good people and be completely at ease and in acceptance of who we are.

In this Teisho, given on January 21st 2026, during winter sesshin (long retreat), Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Dipa Ma and the Thief. We have a choice as to how to respond to life events. Practice increases are ability to make the choice and to be the people we want to be. Offering a loving response is the mature and grounded way to face a suffering world.

In this Teisho, given on January 20th 2026, during winter sesshin (long retreat), Rinzan Osho examines case 96 of the Hekiganroku: Joshu's Three Turning Words. Life presents us with frustrations and things we get angry about. How can we learn to relax, let go, and be effective in a world that does not go the way we want it to?

In this Teisho, given at Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji during Rohatsu 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 91 of the Hekiganroku: Enkan and the Rhinceros Fan. The ineffable the mystery underlying us all cannot be divided or parcled out or even spoken about. How is it that we can share its wisdom?

In this Teisho, given on November 2nd, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 89 of the Hekiganroku, Ummon's "The Whole Body is Hands and Eyes." By giving ourselves over to the three treasures -- Buddha (the fundamental light inside each of us), Dharma (the teaching of the historical Buddhas, our ancestors and our every day life), and Sangha (our deep communion with all things) -- we devlop a natural responsiveness to the call of the suffering world, and provide it a giving and helping hand.

In this Teisho, given on October 26th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 87 of the Hekiganroku, Medicine and Sickness Cure Each Other. With the right perspective, the whole eart is medicine. When we take the medicine, what do we become?

In this Teisho, given on October 21st, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines Punna's Offering from The Hidden Lamp. Gratitude and generosity help free us from the grasp of ego obsession.

In this Teisho, given on October 26th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 86 of the Hekiganroku Everybody Has Their Own Light. What is the light that shines through all things, indeed is all things? How do we open ourselves to it?

In this Teisho, given on August 24th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 79 of the Hekiganroku: Tosu's Every Voice is the Buddha's Voice. If all is Buddha, does that mean discrimination lies outside it?

In this Teisho, given on August 10th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines Lingzhao's Helping from The Hidden Lamp. Koan's ask us to explore depths not accessible by normal modes of thinking. In this context, this koan asks us to explore what is it to be of help beyond seeking a particular outcome.

In this Teisho, given on July 27th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 78 of theHekiganroku: "Bodhisattvas in the Bath." The principles of Zazen (Zen meditation) is to melt into the senses to sense beyond the senses.

Genjo Marinello Roshi presented this Teisho during the Aug. 3, 2025 Zazenkai held at No Rank Zendo in Portland. This talk investigates how to explore the inconceivable essence of ourselves and the universe via the experience of Great Death.

In this Teisho, given on July 5th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 72 of theHekiganroku: Ungan's, "Do You Have Them or Not?." Sometimes, all the artifice and investigation must be put aside. At such a time as this, time to walk the dog.

In this Teisho, given on June 29th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 71 of theHekiganroku: Goho's, "Shut Up." In Zen training, we learn to travel the pathways beneath our personality construct. What is it? Who are we then? The essential question in Zen is how ill you arise from it?

In this Teisho, given on June 23rd, 2025, at Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji's Summer Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 70 of the Hekiganroku: Isan's, "I Would Ask You To Say It." How do we find harmony in a world full of dischord? How does Zen training help us to open our ears to listen?

In this Teisho, given on May 18th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines Dieu Nhan's Without Words from The Hidden Lamp. When we attach to things, we lose the essence. Zen practice is the practice of presence. Being present, we see that there is nothing to attach to. Then the whole world reveals itself.

Reverend Keizan Shaffer gave this Dharma Talk on June 1st, 2025. In it, he explores the meaning of simply showing up and how preoccupation with self can get in the way. When fixated on acheiving certain results, getting things right or having it our way, we lose the flex and flow of life that unfolds just as it is.

Reverend Yuen Kristina Houck gave this Dharma Talk May 11th, 2025. In it, she reflects on her recent experience in the Zen Peacemakers Bearing Witness to Racism retreat in Alabama. Though the layers of suffering are profound, in the midst of Samsara, the ineffable "it" expresses itself through hope, courage, persistence and faith.

In this Teisho, given on April 20th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines case 68 of the Hekiganroku: Kyozan Asks Sancho's Name. Deep investigation takes us to a place so vast and free that we can feel the relief of "nothing matters." From that place, we can spring forth revived, and with a profound sense that "everything matters."

In this Teisho, given on March 2nd, 2025, the final day of No-Rank Zen Temple's Spring Odayaka Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 60 of the Hekiganroku: Ummon's Staff Becoming a Dragon. The staff has swallowed up the universe, where are the mountains, rivers and the great world?

In this Teisho, given on March 1st, 2025, the second day of No-Rank Zen Temple's Spring Odayaka Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines Lingzhao's Shining Grasses. To open to Dharma practice and the deep spiritual life, one has to be willing to do hard things with an everyday mind.

In this Teisho, given on February 28th, 2025, the first day of No-Rank Zen Temple's Spring Odayaka Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 59 of the Hekiganroku: Joshu's "Why Not Quote to the End?" The Real Way is not difficult. It only abhors choice and attachment. So how can we be free to flow in a world of like and dislike?

In this Teisho, given on January 26th, 2025, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Kakuzan Shido's Dagger. Zen training initiates us into a new way of being. How do we respond to the world with authenticity, depth and presence?

In this Teisho, given on January 21st, 2025, the fourth full day of No-Rank Zen Temple's January Rohatsu Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines the Hidden Lamp: Ling's Question. "To be a human being is to live in calamity." How is it that we live a caring spiritual life amidst this?

In this Teisho, given on January 20th, 2025, the third full day of No-Rank Zen Temple's January Rohatsu Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 54 of the Hekiganroku: Ummon Stretches Out His Hands. Who are we when we greet the world that is beckoning us forward? How do we respond to its open armed invitiation.

In this Dharma talk, given on December 15, 2024, Rinzan Osho talks about the importance of taking responsibility in our work in developing spiritual maturity.

In this Teisho, given on December 2, 2024, the second full day of Chobo-ji's Rohatsu Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 50 of the Hekiganroku: Ummon's "Particle After Particle Samadhi." When we see beyond concepts, we can be open, free and responsive to the great reality, a place where words meet words and spirit meets spirit.

In this Teisho, given on November 24th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Sits on the Lotus Sutra. When we free our mind, we see that we are intimate with all things .

In this Teisho, given on November 10, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 49 of the Hekiganroku: Sansho's "The Golden Carp Out of the Net." What is it when we have dropped the bonds of ego and are truly free?

In this Teisho, given on October 17, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 47 of the Hekiganroku: Ummon's "Beyond the Six." Taking up our practice on the cushion, stilling the mind, we feel into something beyond, but here. We relax and immerse ourselves in it, so we can rise up in service of that which is beyond the beyond.

In this Dharma talk, given on October 27th 2024, Rinzan Osho takes up the challenge of our current political climate and discusses how we bring ourselves into it as practitioners of the Way.

In this Teisho, given on August 25, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 40 of the Hekiganroku: Nansen's "This Flower." Believing thoughts are substantive, we get confused about what is most intimate. Setting aside descriptions and categories of like and dislike, can we be open to the great reality presenting itself to us directly?

In this Teisho, given on July 28, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 38 of the Hekiganroku: Fuketsu and the Dharma Seal of the Patriarch." In practicing music, we train to become musicians, learning from those before us and taking the guidance of a teacher. In Zen, we apply these same principles, training to become a human being.

Genjo Marinello Roshi gave Teisho on the Hekiganroku case 69, "Nansen Draws A Circle," at No-Rank Zen Temple's Sept. 1st Zazenkai. Sadly the recording of this talk was lost. He reprised it during the Sept. 8, 2024 Zazenkai at Chobo-Ji. It explores the Zen enso and its meaning. How do we sit in the middle of the circle of form and non-form?

In this Teisho, given on July 15th, 2024, the sixth day of No-Rank Zen Temple's Summer Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 36 of the Hekiganroku: Chosha Went for a Walk." How do we touch everything with the greatest appreciation, even while allowing for preferences?

In this Teisho, given on July 15th, 2024, the third day of No-Rank Zen Temple's Summer Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 34 of the Hekiganroku: Kyozan's "You Have Not Visited Rozan." There are different ways to investigate the question "Where are you from?" Zen training teaches us to delve beyond the relative into the depths of our ineffible origins. Then, we spring back up, encapsulating it all, all at once.

In this Teisho, given on June 9th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Ziyong's Earth. We reach out to the world in an effort to connect. To do this, we must open up to the mystery and wonder of all things.

In this Teisho, given on April 21st, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 26 of the Hekiganroku: Hyakujo Sits on the Great Sublimne Peak. Zen often seems like a practice of quietude, but the peak is abustle with life. What is it to be alone on it?

In this Teisho, given on April 18th, 2024, the sixth day of No-Rank Zendo's Spring Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 25 of theHekiganroku: The Master of Rengehō's Staff. Spiritul practice asks us to be our best selves. So what use is so-called "enlightenment?" Though we can see into the deep nature of our existance, how do we carry it forth?

In this Teisho, given on April 7th, 2024, the third day of Chobo-ji's Spring Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 20 of the Hekiganroku: Ryuge asks Suibi and Rinzai. What is the meaning of life. From one perspective, we can find no meaning ... yet what is it that speaks to us of the profound meaning-fullness of life.

In this Teisho, given on March 25th, 2024, the third day of Chobo-ji's Spring Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 18 of the Hekiganroku: Emperor Shukusō Asks About the Style of the Pagoda. In Zen, it is said that we must die to be free. What is it to die? What remains when we do die? What is it to let life spring forth from this great wellspring and to be seamless with all things?

In this Teisho, given on March 3rd, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 16 of the Hekiganroku: Kyosei's Instruction on Pecking and Tapping. Being present and leaning into the direct experience of life is pecking. The whole universe taps back, inviting us to wake up. If we stay vigilant and attentive, in the ripeness of time, the ego barrier will break open.

In this Teisho, given on February 11th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 13 of the Hekiganroku: Haryo's "Snow in a Sliver Bowl." Koan introspection invites into a way of being that is always available but that we don't normally access. This way of being opens us up to a more meaningful relationship with the deep nature of things.

In this Teisho, given during No-Rank's Rohatsu sesshin on January 18th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 11 of the Hekiganroku: Obaku's Partakers of Brewer's Grain. Buddhism invites us to know the truth for ourselves. Whatever concepts we have about "truth" only get in the way of the direct experience of something beyond. The role of the so-called "Zen teacher" is not to show what is, but to help clear away the obstructions we have placed in front of ourselves. In this, we are all students to someting that cannot be taught.