Ordinary Zen Sangha - Dharma Talks

Ignoring, denying, or pushing away anything we consider uncomfortable is why we are uncomfortable!

The ups and downs of the seesaw of karma.

Chong An Sunim joins Abbot Will Rauschenberger in discussing Kongan practice, Linages, and the Lotus Sutra Parable of the Burning House.

In this podcast, visiting Zen Master Chong An Sunim joins Abbot Will (Hea An) Rauschenberger at our Sunday Session on May 4th, 2025. The talk includes chanting the Heart Sutra.

Strip away who we think we are and experience the actuality of who we are.

Zen is solving the problem of Birth and Death.

If we already have Buddha Nature, why do we meditate?

Taking responsibility for your life and liberation are not different.

“Bodhisattva Samadhi” is Repose and Bliss.

How ordinary stupid people cause great suffering.

Zen is not mental replacement therapy for your self image.

The lion's roar.

You cannot think your way into Loving Kindness…

Did Buddha pierce right through the primordial darkness of ignorance?

 What does it mean to be fearless? 

Hitching your Ox to the post of Emptiness.

 Opening the hand of thought. 

Zazen (Zen meditation), Awakening, and Buddhahood are no different.

You are a unique expression of the universal.

 "One's presence makes for a good present" 

The Song of Liberation.

This part is two of three sessions at Ordinary Zen Sangha in November 2024 with Zen Master Chong An Sunim and Abbot Will Rauschenberger.

This part is one of three sessions at Ordinary Zen Sangha in November 2024 with Zen Master Chong An Sunim and Abbot Will Rauschenberger.

What can we rely on in times like these?

 A OZS sangha member asks: "Is there, or is there not, a balance between our absolute expansive selves and our relative selves that outflow into the world?" 

The transcendence of ever changing circumstances.

Today's talk is about an exchange between Zen Master Seung Sahn and a student, from the book “Dropping Ashes on the Buddha”.

Don't believe anything you think…

“Thinking is just thinking, it is not who I am”.

Inquiry into “What is this?”

Exploring Nature is exploring our nature.Benevolence is fearlessness.

Will gives an intro to Koans (Kongans) in this Dharma Talk.

What are we letting go? Are we falling into the same hole over and over?

Getting to know ourselves.

How do I know my mirror is reflecting clearly?

This first Podcast of July 2024 summates my June 2024 trip to Europe.

Leap directly to the Tathagata's realm. Chew without chewing anything, walk without walking anywhere.

Exploring an exchange between two Zen Masters.  From 208 Kongans – compiled by Chong An Sunim, Original Light Zen Temple.

Conceptualization perpetuates suffering.

 Accepting causality and letting go of the discriminating mind. 

Realizing emptiness allows us the freedom to put down what burdens us.

 Coming off an all-day meditation workshop... 

Not Two!

enlightenment, how far away is it?

The perfection of wisdom and suchness

‘Don't know mind' is being authentic.Includes an audio clip from an Audiobook "101 Zen Stories" by Paul Beck on Audible.

Breath, coming and going, life.

Buddha's prescriptions or remedies, also called expedient means, as they apply to Zendo etiquette.

The path of enlightenment…

In today's Dharma Talk, we ask the question “What is it we are doing?”

It neither is nor isn't. Already you see, you hear...