Podcasts about hongzhi

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi – 5/31/26 – Mundane truth, enlightened truth, from the beginning are all together one. But there are snags that grab us, some of them repeatedly. Hongzhi describes our original mind this way: “from the beginning it is fundamentally all together complete, undefiled, clear down to the bottom.” In this Dharma Encounter with the sangha, Shugen Roshi asks: how do each of us use our difficulty, troubles, heartache and anger to relieve our suffering? How do we heal? The sangha shares the many ways we turn, rather than heaping on destruction, and practice reality with a heart of wisdom and compassion.

Jody Hojin Kimmel, Sensei – ZCNYC – 5/3/26 – This talk explores what Hongzhi calls the “mysterious pivot,” a sudden shift that disrupts thinking and reveals direct, lived experience. Drawing on Dharma teaching and the Arts, Hojin highlights how loosening the mind of grasping, defining, and securing opens the heart to a deeper, more immediate ‘shock of recognition' of our true nature.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi – ZMM – 5/10/26 – Who fears the spring row's knee-deep mud? This line from Hongzhi's poem underscores the challenge which all practitioners of the dharma face: to bring something good into the world, despite the challenges that we inevitably face. Our world is constantly in flux, complex and unpredictable, and those on the Path are called to both quiet reverence and to making real effort. With words and activity, mindfulness and the moral precepts, Shugen Roshi encourages us to inhabit this universe in all directions. (From the Book of Serenity, Case 79 – Changsha Advancing a Step)

Ron Hogen Green, Sensei – ZMM – 4/26/26 – The energy of our lives is something that we tend to take for granted, but in spiritual practice it is understood that we can deliberately cultivate the energy of clarity through zazen. We can study the ways that energy can “leak out” and diminish our clarity and focus. How do we practice those things that seem to limit us, which might dull or diminish our aspiration? How do we cultivate the “empty field” of Hongzhi's teachings? In this lively encounter with the sangha, Hogen Sensei and the sangha explore how to gather and nourish our life energy on the path of liberation. (Dharma Encounter at the conclusion of the April 2026 Apple Blossom Sesshin.)

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi – ZMM – 4/22/26 – From the Book of Serenity, Case 97 – Emperor Tongguang’s Hat – Paying attention to how things unfold, we always benefit from skillfully navigating our reactions, our tendencies to mistrust and avoid. Skillfully, we can trust that our true nature is always present, clear and undivided. How do we teach ourselves to trust, to “know without knowing,”  and relinquish the tendency of our powerful tendency to divide, separate, disconnect? “In clarity, wonder exists,” says Hongzhi, and Shugen Roshi encourages us to continuously turn toward that clarity.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi – ZMM – 3/28/26 – The subtle healing energy of zazen is likened to an acupuncture needle by Hongzhi, and Shugen Roshi explores how this teaching functions in our own practice life. Within zazen, are we truly engaging what is right in front of us? The simple and direct nature of zazen brings us back again and again, and so we return and settle into the ease of being within our own minds. Hongzhi invites us to “know without touching…and rest there.” Things become closer, softer, bright and clear.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi – ZMM – 3/22/26 – Shugen Roshi introduces the theme of the MRO Spring Ango 2026 training period, “The Turning Words of Hongzhi”.

While the tone of Hongzhi's Practice Instructions is lyrical and evocative, surpassing the ordinary “instructions,” this is a voice rarely heard in a teaching hall and is immediately transporting. Read the Journal while listening

Suzanne Taikyo Gilman, Senior Monastic - ZCNYC - 4/27/25 - Can we use our direct experience to express what words cannot adequately convey? Using a teaching from zen master Hongzhi, monastic Taikyo takes up this question of how to explore the vast universe within ourselves and share our dark fears, our vulnerability, and our joys, in traveling this path.

Der Begründer von Falun Gong spricht darüber, wie er Menschen in der spirituellen Disziplin anleitet, über die Anfänge in China und seine Rolle bei Shen Yun.

This dharma talk was given by Hogen Roshi at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple on September 29th, 2024 during Sunday Night Program. In this talk Hogen discusses and interprets the chant Hongzhi's "Guidepost of Silent Illumination". ★ Support this podcast ★

Published on and translated by minghui.org

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Published on and translated by minghui.org

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ADZG 1190 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton The post Hongzhi and the Mysterious Pivot first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1189 ADZG Saturday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton The post Hongzhi and Meditation on Space (and Time) first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1188 ADZG Friday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton The post Hongzhi and Settling within first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1182 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton The post Hongzhi's mutual response, Gaza and student encampments first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1178 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Steven Heine – see podcast page to access speaker’s PDF   The post Hongzhi and Wansong Soto Lineage Contexts first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1176 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton The post Hongzhi and the Baby Buddha first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1174 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton The post Hongzhi and the Buddha Work first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1172 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton The post Hongzhi's Deep Source and Practice of True Reality first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1171 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton The post Preview of Hongzhi and our Practice Period first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

A selection of profound, direct pointers for meditation by Master Hongzhi Zhengjue. Excerpts taken from the text: "Cultivating the Empty Field The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" - translated by Taigen Dan Leighton. Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091–1157) was one of the most accomplished Chan masters of the Song dynasty who authored or compiled several influential texts. Hongzhi's conception of silent illumination is of particular importance to the Chinese Caodong Chan and Japanese Sōtō Zen schools. Hongzhi's distinctive teachings are well illustrated in the poetic practice instructions he left behind and are beautiful lyrical celebrations of our Buddha Nature and of all existence. However, they are not merely celebrations, but practice instructions and descriptions of meditative experience. Music by Swami Madhuram Puri. With thanks to Swami for his kind offering of his exquisite music for this channel. For more of his wonderful music, please see here: www.timeforpeace.bandcamp.com

ADZG 1115 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton

New Article from Falun Gong Founder Li HongzhiSix More Chinese Police Stations on U.S. Soil: ReportChinese Regime Targeting Falun Gong in U.S.: BrowdeCanadian Police Investigating Chinese Police OutpostsExiled Chinese Man Recounts Blank Paper ProtestsU.S. Targeting Chinese Shopping Apps Temu, SheinBorrell: EU Needs to Work with 'Superpower' ChinaChina, Russia Vow to Boost Strategic CooperationPreparing for War? China Revises Conscript PolicyFire in Beijing Hospital Kills 29+ Information Under CensorshipWhy Taiwan Is a Thorn in China's Eye: Gorrie

A selection of profound, direct pointers for meditation by Master Hongzhi on the nature of the mind taken from various texts. Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091–1157) was one of the most accomplished Chan masters of the Song dynasty who authored or compiled several influential texts. Hongzhi's conception of silent illumination is of particular importance to the Chinese Caodong Chan and Japanese Sōtō Zen schools. Hongzhi's distinctive teachings are well illustrated in the poetic practice instructions he left behind and are beautiful lyrical celebrations of our Buddha Nature and of all existence. However, they are not merely celebrations, but practice instructions and descriptions of meditative experience.

“They say you can't intellectualize Zen, but don't short change yourself. If your brain wants to understand it, do that first. The old masters all did. They knew exactly what they were talking about.  And then one day you might realize that even the highest level teachings aren't enough. But you have to get them before you can realize that they're not enough.“ - Dave Cuomo   History of Zen returns with a tale of dharma combat that's going to have eon long implications. Two epic frenemies are busy inventing modern koan and shikantaza practice while China is busy putting itself back together, only to promptly fall apart again. What are the roots of modern koan practice, and is ACZC doing them wrong? Why does Zen have a “right” answer for everything, and how did their philosophies get so tight? Was Zen designed to be secular or religious, and does it believe its own PR? Find out here!

ADZG 1063 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton

Norman gives the sixth talk of the Mar de Jade 2022 Sesshin in "Hong zhi: The Family Business." https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/26155538/Sesshin-Mar-de-Jade-2022-Talk-6-Hongzhi-The-Family-Business.mp3

Programa 555: En esta edición les presentamos una experiencia publicada en la página web de Minghui titulada "Atesorando los recuerdos de los encuentros con el Maestro Li Hongzhi en 1992" por un practicante de Falun Dafa de la provincia de Shandong, China.

Jaune Evans gives the ninth and last talk on "The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" series on "The Field of Vast Brightness" referencing the book "Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" by Taigen Dan Leighton and Yi Wu. Hongzhi is credited with first articulating the practice of "just sitting" which is Dogen's practice, and ours. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you!   https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/22115247/The-Field-of-Vast-Brightness-Talk-9-The.-Silent-Illumination-of-Zen-Master-Hongzhi-Jaune-Evans.mp3

James Flaherty gives the eighth talk of "The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" referencing the book "Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" by Taigen Dan Leighton and Yi Wu. Hongzhi is credited with first articulating the practice of "just sitting" which is Dogen's practice, and ours. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/08213615/Entryways-to-Hongzhi-Talk-8-James-Flaherty.mp3

Norman  gives the seventh talk of "The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" referencing the book "Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" by Taigen Dan Leighton and Yi Wu. Hongzhi is credited with first articulating the practice of "just sitting" which is Dogen's practice, and ours. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/19083404/The-Silent-Illumination-of-Zen-Master-Hongzhi-Talk-7.mp3

Kathie Fischer gives the sixth talk of "The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" referencing the book "Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" by Taigen Dan Leighton and Yi Wu. Hongzhi is credited with first articulating the practice of "just sitting" which is Dogen's practice, and ours. View or download the transcript → https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/10114522/The-Silent-Illumination-of-Zen-Master-Hongzhi-Talk-6-Kathy-Fischer.mp3  

https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/03133847/The-Silent-Illumination-of-Zen-Master-Hongzhi-Talk-5.mp3 Norman gives the fifth talk of "The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" referencing the book "Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" by Taigen Dan Leighton and Yi Wu. Hongzhi is credited with first articulating the practice of "just sitting" which is Dogen's practice, and ours.

Norman Fischer gives the fourth talk of "The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" to the October 2022 All Day Sitting referencing the book "Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" by Taigen Dan Leighton and Yi Wu. Hongzhi is credited with first articulating the practice of "just sitting" which is Dogen's practice, and ours. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/01122014/The-Silent-Illumination-of-Zen-Master-Hongzhi-Talk-4-merged_1.mp3

Norman gives the second talk of "The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" referencing the book "Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" by Taigen Dan Leighton and Yi Wu. Hongzhi is credited with first articulating the practice of "just sitting" which is Dogen's practice, and ours. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/24103233/Silent-Illumination-of-Zen-Master-Hongzhi-Talk-2.mp3

10/23/2022, Sokaku Kathie Fischer, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Kathie Fischer discusses Hongzhi's 12th century teaching of silent illumination and how it can inform our practice in these times.

Norman gives the first talk of "The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" referencing the book "Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi" by Taigen Dan Leighton and Yi Wu. Hongzhi is credited with first articulating the practice of "just sitting" which is Dogen's practice, and ours. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/14075920/Silent-Illumination-of-Zen-Master-Hongzhi-Talk-1.mp3

Sensei Kathie Fischer continues Upaya's in depth investigation of Hongzhi's teachings on silent illumination during its Fall Practice Period of 2022. Kathie explores the relationship between stepping back into awareness, prior to any “distinctions of shadow and light,” and stepping out into the world of delusion in a spirit of service, non-judgment, and love. To access […]

Sensei Matthew Kozan Palevsky continues Upaya's exploration of the teachings of Hongzhi, looking at the text “Thirty Years of Emptiness and Existence,” in which Hongzhi references the koan, Juzhi's One Finger. “No place can be other than myself,” Hongzhi writes, referencing the famous story of Juzhi and his realization that he is filled with all that […]

 “It seems that you're all getting attached to the empty field!” Sensei Shinzan Palma jokes when he asks the community in the zendo and online how they're doing and gets only silence in return. Upaya has been studying the Hongzhi's teachings on silent illumination as compiled in Dan Leighton's Cultivating the Empty Field. Shinzan's guiding […]

As we've explored the practice of silent illumination this Fall Practice Period we've come across the phrases “take the backward step” and “turn the light around.”. But what do these phrases, used by both Hongzhi and Dogen, actually mean? And how do we practice them? In his first Dharma talk as Sensei, Noah Kodo Roen […]

Upaya is in the middle of Fall Practice Period, studying the teachings of Hongzhi and the practice of silent illumination. The Caodong/Soto school of Hongzhi and Dogen, with its emphasis on just sitting, traces itself back to the 8th Century Chan (Zen) Master Shitou. Sensei Monshin Nannette Overlay brings her characteristic honesty, gentleness, and care […]

Sensei Kathie Fischer continues Upaya's exploration of Zen Master Hongzhi's teachings on the practice of silent illumination. She describes how Hongzhi, teaching during China's Song Dynasty, bridges the gap between the early Chan (Zen) of the Tang Dynasty and that of Dogen, the founder of the Soto school of Zen. Kathie reads Hongzhi's poetic teachings […]

“The practice of true reality is simply to sit.” Matthew Kozan Palevsky continues Upaya's exploration of silent illumination, or just sitting, discussing Taigen Dan Leighton's collection of Zen Master Hongzhi's writings, “Cultivating the Empty Field.” He invites us to consider what it could mean for us to cultivate the empty field, especially given that Hongzhi […]

Jody Hojin Kimmel, Sensei - Zen Center of New York City, Fire Lotus Temple, Sunday 07/10/2022 - How can we recognize the mechanics of proliferation in our thoughts? How can we skillfully meet the "grasper" in our minds? In this talk, Hojin Sensei speaks to the natural capacity of our mind to proliferate and the similarly natural capacity to make space. She draws upon the practice instructions of Zen master Hongzhi in The Bright Boundless Field.

Degna Chikei Levister, Senior Lay Student - Zen Center of New York City, Fire Lotus Temple, Sunday 05/15/2022 - How do we bring all of who we are into practice? How do we embrace the full reality of the world while not getting turned around by external causes and conditions? In this talk, Chikei Levister explores the teachings of Zen Master Hongzhi on the practice of true reality.