Auckland Zen Centre: Weekly Podcasts

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.

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. 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 Richard von Sturmer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Alone as "all one." Wholehearted zen practice as love. 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.

Living alone does not mean rejecting the world or society, but not attaching to what we experience.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.

Introduction to the Buddhs's teaching on living in the present. 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.

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 teh 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.

A Dharma Talk by Richard von Sturmer Texts used: A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth by Henry Gee Earth: An Intimate History by Richard Fortey Pilgrim at Tinker's Creek by Annie Dillard

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 2021, Brian Swimme, Canticle to the Cosmos VHS Series

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 2021

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."

The thundering silence of the layman bodhisattva, Vimalakirti -- can you hear it? Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/6kdOZX1XBRPyMYYjtr2NLyLbwSc

More on 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 transcript https://otter.ai/u/PvjaMnenvZoad-3y8EMvAPiNRlM

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 2021 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/2SqT58-qz26zjM82zRFcARyyNJs

Working with common hindrances that arise in our zazen. Sources: Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist path to natural awakening by Guo Gu Shambhala 2021 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/jbnu9g1YbRivwmjfipr_DMgo1mo

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 2002 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/LxashxNPdSEiSV_eK_qEdoP-M4E

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 2002 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/2mNdeFQEqJOb2REwEE-s5wLK_No

Exploring 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 2002 Automated transcript https://otter.ai/u/ezQ7u6x6Gqkzu3WPwbvQWDJZH6g