story, dialogue, question, or statement used in Zen-practice
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This talk was given by Nikki Mirghafori on 2026.02.16 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
Dharma talk by Alan Richardson Sensei, on February 8, 2026
When Joko Beck broke away from the White Plum Asanga to form her own sangha which she named the Ordinary Mind Zen School, she also stopped wearing a robe and also dropped the Koan curriculum and the Jukai ceremony. Barry Magid reintroduced the Jukai ceremony (minus the Buddhist names) and also reintroduced the study of koans. Barry reintroduced the study of koans in the spirit of Soto Zen – using the koans as teaching stories to illuminate different aspects of Zen practice and not as a form of meditation practice aimed at inducing a special spiritual experience. However, more than that, I think one of Barry's major innovations to contemporary Zen has been to interpret the old koan stories from the perspective of western psychotherapy, thereby instigating a unique sub-genre of utilising koans. In this talk I am going to apply Barry's style of koan interpretation to Case 94, from the collection of Koans known as The Book of Serenity.
02/01/2026, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Thiemo Blank guides us towards awakening to "the one who is not busy" in everyday activity.
Connect with Sam on LinkedIn - I share customer experience content multiple times a week, and love hearing from listeners with questions or ideas for topics.Subscribe to my newsletter, Customer Experience Patterns - I publish a new edition with each episode of the podcast.My LinkedIn Learning courses: Customer Experience: 6 Essential Foundations For Lasting Loyalty, How To Create Great Customer Experiences & Build A Customer-Centric Culture. In-depth video series that teach you how to create great experiences, and build customer-centric cultuers.Thanks to my talented colleague Emily Tolmer for the cover art. Thanks to my friends at Moon Island for the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"Dus oefen met je koan, er is bevrijding mogelijk, het centrale thema van het boeddhisme. Hoe dramatisch je koan ook mag voelen, heb vertrouwen. Onze beoefening is een pad naar het einde van lijden."Korte inleiding van de meditatie gegeven aan het begin van de meditatie op 14-12-2025.U kunt de tekstversie hier lezen.(Spreker op deze podcast is eerw. Baldwin Schreurs. Hij werd in 1990 ingewijd als boeddhistisch monnik in het Zenklooster Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey in Noord-Engeland en ontving vijf jaar later de Dharmatransmissie van eerw. meester Daishin Morgan. In 1998 werd hij Dharmaleraar en in oktober 2017 ontving hij zijn benoeming tot Zenmeester. Sinds 2005 is hoofdmonnik en leraar van De Dharmatoevlucht. De Dharmatoevlucht is een stadstempel en meditatie-centrum van de internationale Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (OBC).)#zenboeddhisme #zen #boeddhisme #meditatie #zazen
Fall 122 des Shūmon Kattōshū knüpft mit diesem Ausspruch Buddhas an die Legende zu seiner Geburt an. Dabei wies Buddha selbst immer wieder darauf hin, dass er ein Mensch sei und keine überirdische Gestalt. Er hatte besondere Einsichten, doch diese sind nicht exklusiv. Auch wir können diesen Weg gehen. Im vorliegenden Koan reagiert Zen-Meister Ummon dann auch entsprechend drastisch: Hätte er diesen Moment miterlebt, hätte er Buddha mit einem Stock erschlagen. Auch im Diamant-Sutra heißt es: Wer Buddha in Form oder Stimme sucht, wird ihn nicht finden. Denn äußere Merkmale sind letztlich Täuschungen. Wer aber die zeichenlose Natur der Zeichen erkennt, dem begegnet der Tathāgata. Denn die Wirklichkeit wird nicht in isolierten Formen, sondern im Zusammenhang aller Dinge erkannt. Darauf weist auch das berühmte Koan Mumonkan 6 hin, in dem Buddha eine Blume hochhält. Während die meisten nur eine Blume sehen, erkennen Buddha und Mahākāśyapa, dass diese Blume das ganze Universum enthält. Kompost, Sonne, Regen, Wind, Erde, Zeit – alles wirkt in ihr zusammen. Zu erkennen, dass eine Blume aus Nicht-Blumen-Elementen besteht, bedeutet, die Täuschung getrennter Zeichen zu durchbrechen. Dieses tiefe Schauen ermöglicht es uns, die Begrenztheit unserer Wahrnehmung zu überwinden. Wir erkennen, dass Menschen – selbst Konfliktpartner oder Feinde – Teil desselben Zusammenhangs sind. So kann aus Ablehnung Mitgefühl entstehen. Buddha wird also weder im Körper noch im Mythos gefunden, sondern in uns selbst und in unserem direkten Kontakt mit der Wirklichkeit. Um für junge Erwachsene den Aufenthalt im ToGenJi zu ermöglichen, bitten wir um eine Spende: Sie finden die Kontodaten/Paypal auf unserer Website https://choka-sangha.de/spenden/ Herzlichen Dank
Podcast Audio: The post Talk by Ryugin, “A Doctor and a Clown Walk Into a Koan” first appeared on The Village Zendo.
“She said, ‘This isn't the koan you wanted.' And I thought about that. What do you do with a koan you don't want? Usually, if it's a koan, you didn't want it.” - Resa Alboher Long time sangha stalwart and dear friend Resa Alboher brings us the epic adventure of what brought her to ACZC across continents, decades of earth shaking world events, and moments of life altering personal ones as well. What do we with the koan we didn't want? How do we sit still when lying down is all we can actually manage? And just what was the Buddhist scene in Moscow like at the fall of the USSR?? Find out here!
In this conversation from our archive, Australian writer and Zen roshi Susan Murphy immerses us in the ancient tradition of koan and the power of the “not-knowing mind” to open a treasury of resources for meeting the climate crisis. Sharing several koans from Zen masters that push at the boundaries of our consciousness, she speaks to the way they can draw us deeper into kinship and reminds us that the Earth Herself is a koan waiting to be known. Read the transcript. Photo by Warren Summers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Kisei Sensei explores Koan 25, Nyozin's Pale Moon of Dawn, and Koan 33, Bodhidharma's Flesh, examining how Zen teaching passes through time, poetry, and the body. She reflects on Chyono's poem about the pale moon and the bucket, showing how our sense of self can be patched together and then fall away in practice. Drawing connections to Bodhidharma's transmission to his students, she emphasizes how awakening is both a lived, embodied experience and a study of ancestral teachings. Listeners are invited to reflect on the moon, their own practice, and the questions of body, awakening, and interconnection that these koans present.This talk was given during Kisei's online Tuesday night program. ★ Support this podcast ★
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?
This Teisho was given by the Rev. Do'on Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on September 4, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 1st case from the Blue Cliff Record known as The Highest Meaning of the Holy Truths. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Rev. Do'on Roshi's Teisho on the Blue Cliff Record series.
Amala speaks here on the fifth Paramita, of Meditative Absorption. This talk was given as part of Part of the series A Koan for Our Times, a series of lectures given by The College of Public Preceptors, 2024. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967
Jody Hojin Kimmel, Sensei - ZCNYC - 9/14/25 - In this talk, Hojin Sensei offers a full recitation of the Genjo Koan by Zen Master Eihei Dogen—keeping his living relics warm within our hearts. Before beginning, she pauses to recall how Buddhism first flowed through oral tradition, carried mind to mind, committed to memory. She invites us to take up this same practice: to steep ourselves in the Dharma by reading quietly or aloud, by copying, by chanting, and by listening.
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.
A talk by Jamie Howell. This talk was given on July 23rd, 2025.
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.
Koan was from The Gateless Gate: The Classic Book of Zen Koans by Koun Yamada. Case 7: Joshu's Washing the Bowls. Reflection questions: 1) What were you looking for when you first entered the monastery/practice/zen center? 2) How would you have reacted to this teaching back then? 3) Do you notice any resistance from you or a part of you to this? 4) How do you respond to this teaching now? What's alive in you? 5) Utilizing this koan, what could this teaching mean for your practice?
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 12 - Banzan's "3 Worlds, No Dharma"Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try and better understand them. We hope you enjoy.Resources: Episode 10 - https://anchor.fm/brightonbuddhism/episodes/What-is-Zen-Buddhism-e1a2sm2Episode 18 - https://anchor.fm/brightonbuddhism/episodes/What-is-the-Buddhist-philosophy-of-speech--language--and-words-e1dgqu9Episode 32 - https://anchor.fm/brightonbuddhism/episodes/What-are-kans-e1j5sclEpisode 33 - https://anchor.fm/brightonbuddhism/episodes/What-is-emptiness-e1jc31iHori, Victor Sogen (1999). "Translating the Zen Phrase Book" (PDF). Nanzan Bulletin (23).; Hori, Victor Sogen (2000), Koan and Kensho in the Rinzai Zen Curriculum. In: Steven Heine and Dale S. Wright (eds)(2000): "The Koan. Texts and Contexts in Zen Buddhism, Oxford: Oxford University Press; Heine, Steven (2008), Zen Skin, Zen Marrow; Bielefeldt, Carl (2009), "Expedient Devices, the One Vehicle, and the Life Span of the Buddha", in Teiser, Stephen F.; Stone, Jacqueline I. (eds.), Readings of the Lotus Sutra, New York: Columbia University Press, ISBN 9780231142885; Kotatsu, Fujita; Hurvitz, Leon (1975), "One Vehicle or Three", Journal of Indian Philosophy, 3 (1/2): 79–166; Lopez, Donald (2016), The Lotus Sutra: A Biography (Kindle ed.), Princeton University Press, ISBN 978-0691152202; Lopez, Donald S.; Stone, Jacqueline I. (2019), Two Buddhas Seated Side by Side: A Guide to the Lotus Sūtra, Princeton University Press; Pye, Michael (2003), Skilful Means – A concept in Mahayana Buddhism, Routledge, ISBN 0203503791; Watson, Burton (tr.) (1993), The Lotus Sutra, Columbia University Press, ISBN 023108160X; Patrick Olivelle, trans. Life of the Buddha. Clay Sanskrit Library, 2008. 1 vols. (Cantos 1-14 in Sanskrit and English with summary of the Chinese cantos not available in the Sanskrit); Stone, Jacqueline Ilyse (2003), "Original enlightenment and the transformation of medieval Japanese Buddhism" (PDF), Studies in East Asian Buddhism, University of Hawaii Press (12), ISBN 978-0-8248-2771-7, archived from the original (PDF) on November 5, 2013; Hakeda, Yoshito S., trans. (1967), Awakening of Faith—Attributed to Aśvaghoṣa, with commentary by Yoshito S. Hakeda, New York, NY: Columbia University Press, ISBN 0-231-08336-X; Jorgensen, John; Lusthaus, Dan; Makeham, John; Strange, Mark, trans. (2019), Treatise on Awakening Mahāyāna Faith, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780190297718https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/flood-relief#/Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com.Credits:Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-HostProven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on July 10, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi revisists the 1st case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Joshu's Dog. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
08/16/2025, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman unpacks what it might mean to become yourself through the simple but challenging practice of shikantaza (just sitting), referencing Suzuki Roshi's teachings and two Zen koans.
Roshi Genjo Marinello 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.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on July 3rd, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi revisits case 1 from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Joshu's Dog. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
08/13/2025, Anshi Zachary Smith, dharma talk at City Center. Anshi Zachary Smith examines case 96 from the Blue Cliff Record which holds suggestions about how to frame one's practice and warnings about the many ways we can get it wrong.
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.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on June 19, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 48th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Kempo's One Way. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on June 12, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 47th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Tosotsu's Three Barriers. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on May 29, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 46th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Stepping Forward from the Top of a Pole. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on May 22, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 45th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as ‘Who is That One?' If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
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?
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on May 1, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 44th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Basho and a Stick. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
06/29/2025, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Kokyo Henkel explores what is really transmitted from teacher to student, and some classic Zen stories about Dharma transmission.
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.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on April 3, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi finishes her discussion on the 43rd case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Shushan's Short Bamboo Staff. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on March 13, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 41st case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Bodhidharma Puts the Mind to Rest. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on March 6, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 39th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Unmon and a Mistake in Speech. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
05/24/2025, Monitsu Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. Monitsu Pamela Weiss explores the twin themes of refuge and compassion in Cases 4 and 54 of the Book of Serenity.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on March 3rd, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 38th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as A Buffalo Passes Through A Window. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
In this talk Chozen Roshi discusses working with koans. She discusses the differences between koan study and formal koan training with a teacher. This talk was given on April 16th 2025 during Koan Sesshin. ★ Support this podcast ★
So You Want To Be A Writer with Valerie Khoo and Allison Tait: Australian Writers' Centre podcast
What does homelessness look like to you? In this episode, author Michelle Prak tells her latest story – thriller novel Barren Cape – through the lens of the housing affordability crisis. Michelle chats to us about the book's inspiration, her own writing beginnings and much more! 00:00 Welcome03:20 Writing tip: Visit museums for inspiration06:24 WIN!: Invisible Woman by Katia Lief08:15 Word of the week: ‘Koan’11:27 The World of words: Compliment vs complement13:31 Writer in residence: Michelle Prak14:33 Overview of the novel Barren Cape16:20 The explosion of the Aussie crime genre17:21 Author inspirations19:32 The little red typewriter21:39 Balancing writing and life responsibilities23:25 Exploring themes of homelessness in Barren Cape27:54 Inspiration behind the setting and characters31:04 Writing multiple perspectives33:10 On writing younger characters36:57 Michelle’s daily writing habits and process39:16 Upcoming projects 40:35 Advice for aspiring thriller writers41:52 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on February 28, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 38th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as A Buffalo Passes Through A Window. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
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."
Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman takes up Case 12 from the Book of Serenity, titled ‘Dizang Planting the Fields', which touches upon a number of key practice questions that can be beneficial to consider as we encounter and navigate the distressing state of the world.
Zen is a practice to deeply explore and fully live our true Self. Might the Koan about the stone deep down in the sea of Ise be a helpful pointer
**Room Echo is Present in this podcast due to the way the talk was recorded. Attempts have been made to reduce the impact on the intelligibility of the teaching.** This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on February 21, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 37th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as The Oak Tree in the Front Garden. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on February 14, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 36th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Meeting a Person of the Tao Along the Way. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on January 28, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi discusses the 34th case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Wisdom Is Not The Tao. If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org. Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.
A koan is a paradoxical statement that tries to make sense of ambiguity. Sort of like, "The Best of Car Talk". Hear one of our favorite mechanics' koan all the way from Alabama on this episode.Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalkLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy