Podcasts about rohatsu

In this Rohatsu sesshin talk, Chozen reflects on awakening, silent mind, and the constructed personality that both protects and confines us. Drawing on the Buddha's own awakening, the teaching of “don't-know mind” from Seung Sahn Sunim, Eckhart Tolle's modern account of disidentification from thought, and the koan of Isan tipping over the water bottle, she points to the moment when thinking falls away and original mind reveals itself—vast, intimate, and free from entanglement. The invitation is to trust this silence, let personality become optional, and allow awakening to flow through the body and into everyday life. ★ Support this podcast ★

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?

On the final day of Rohatsu sesshin, the faculty turn toward presence as the heart of the bodhisattva way. Sensei Kaz Tanahashi reflects on the final full day not as a rush toward the end, but as an invitation to be more fully present with each moment, as practice settles into quiet confidence and seamless activity. Roshi Joan Halifax deepens this inquiry by asking, What is a bodhisattva? Source

On the fourth day of Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kaz Tanahashi reflects on the previous evening's full moon atonement ceremony, revealing that “I think to be ethical is … life with ease and joy. You don't have to hide anything. You don't have to fear.” Kaz references the teaching to “thoroughly engage in each activity” to transform the world. He reframes “continuous failure” as “continuous missing”… Source

On the fifth day of Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kaz Tanahashi explores Indra's Net—jewels “reflecting one another forever” in “inter-illumination”—showing how Buddhist teachings illustrate the reality of interconnected actions and outcomes. Kaz assures us that every humble action contributes to breakthrough. Reflecting on his anti-nuclear activism in the 1970s and '80s, he says, “Everything I did… Source

On the second full day of Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kaz Tanahashi explores the Avatamsaka Sutra's vision of Shakyamuni Buddha as Vairocana—the Dharmakaya itself—and the bodhisattva path through its metaphoric landscape. Kaz teaches that bodhisattvas become bridges, letting beings cross the ocean of life and death. He offers practical guidance for working with sleepiness… Source

On the third full day of Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kaz Tanahashi illuminates the radical teaching at the heart of Zen practice: we begin with enlightenment itself. Tracing the tension between seventh-century China's scholarly Huayan school—requiring lifetimes of gradual study—and Huineng's “illiterate school” of sudden enlightenment, Kaz reveals how Dogen went even further… Source

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi - ZMM - 12/30/25 - Harmonizing inner and outer life is the essence of our practice, says Shugen Roshi in this koan talk from Rohatsu sesshin. Those habits of mind which obstruct our harmonious equanimity, keeping us from feeling whole and at-ease, are the very grist of practice. When we settle the mind, even in the midst of discord, we become clearer and more able to trust in our true nature. - From the Book of Serenity - Case 68 - Jiashan "Swinging the Sword"

Danica Shoan Ankele, Sensei - ZMM - 12/28/25 - During the year-end Rohatsu sesshin, Shoan Sensei offered this koan talk on the nature of mind as it's experienced and expressed in Zen Buddhist practice. The koan offered from the Gateless Gate points to "turning the light around", beholding the nature of what we call reality, and learning through experience how we can rely on this to navigate our lives. - From Master Wu-men's Gateless Gate, Case 29 - Hui-neng's "Not the Wind; Not the Flag"

In the wake of the Rohatsu sesshin at Mountain Cloud and our deep dive into Hakuin's Song of Zazen, Valerie begins this talk with a painting by Hakuin, an image

Kaum ein Tag vergeht, an dem nicht in den Medien von Drohnenangriffen und Aufrüstung berichtet wird. In vielen Koans ist ebenfalls von Schlägen und Stößen die Rede – etwa im Fall 100 des Hekiganroku, in dem ein Schwert den ganzen Himmel überschneidet, gegen das ein Haar geblasen wird. Doch wer im Zen-Kontext die todbringende Klinge und das lebenspendende Schwert führt, will damit keinesfalls sein Gegenüber verletzen. Das wahre Geheimnis der Kampfkunst besteht vielmehr darin, die Waffen im entscheidenden Moment ruhen zu lassen. Der wahrhaft reife Krieger hat den Mut, sich selbst kennenzulernen. Er stellt sich seinen inneren Drachen, verkörpert durch verdrängte Gefühlen und Gewaltimpulse, statt sie nach außen zu projizieren. Hass überwinden wir allein durch Liebe. Der wahre Feind ist der Irrglaube, vom Rest des Universums getrennt zu sein. Diesen Irrtum und die damit verbundenen Gierstrukturen gilt es im eigenen Herzen zu transformieren. Wer täglich übt, Unheilsames zu vermeiden, Heilsames zu verwirklichen und Bodhicitta zu erwecken, sendet friedvolle Signale in die Welt aus. Darin liegt das Wesen der Friedensarbeit. 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

In a rousing exhortation for retreat, Sara takes on the impossible question of what exactly happened to Buddha the night he sat too long under a tree and apparently fixed everything. Is Buddha's enlightenment for everybody, or is that just an ego's fantasy? Why is a sense of belonging often such a foreign concept? What are we bursting to say after days of learning to silently communicate?? Find out here!

On the first full day of Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kaz Tanahashi and Roshi Joan Halifax open practice with teachings on non-division and “undivided activity.” Kaz reminds practitioners that Rohatsu marks the Buddha's awakening—“birth, enlightenment, and […]

ADZG 1264 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer The post Rohatsu sesshin – Day 5 – Tenzo Turning the Wheel of Dharma first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

2025.12.07 | Rohatsu Ceremony | Nishijima Roshi on the Buddha's Enlightenment | Nate Smalley by Appamada

Rinzan Pechovnick Osho gave this Teisho on the sixth day of Rohatsu Sesshin, 2025 at Chobo-Ji.  This talk examines Hekiganroku, Case 91, Enkan and the Rhinoceros Fan.

ADZG 1263 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer The post Rohatsu sesshin – Day 4 – Turning the Wheel of Dharma first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1262 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer The post Rohatsu sesshin – Day 3 – Turning the Wheel of Dharma first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1261 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer The post Rohatsu sesshin – Day 2 – Turning the Wheel of Dharma first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

ADZG 1260 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer The post Rohatsu sesshin – Day 1 – Turning the Wheel of Dharma first appeared on Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.

This teisho was given by the Reverend Jay Risen Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on December 5, 2023. In this talk, delivered on the first day of Rohatsu, Risen Roshi teaches on the nonself, calling on us to give meticulous attention to our experience moment by moment. 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.  

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi - 12/30/24 - From the Book of Serenity, Case 100 - How does the purity of Buddha Nature still give rise to all the havoc, confusion, and suffering in our human lives? In this talk given during the Rohatsu sesshin, Shugen Roshi takes up this fundamental question: if all is emptiness and impermanence, what is it that needs to be done to experience the ‘peaceful dwelling' within samsara, and to liberate all beings within the phenomenal world?

During the season of Rohatsu, Solstice, Christmas and Hanukkha, Maria takes up the psalm of Isaiah: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” This psalm becomes a

On the final full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Genzan discuss the origin, manifestation, and potential of spiritual practice. Sensei Kaz highlights the life and teachings of Roshi Joan and her deep and meaningful contributions to […]

During this third full day of Rohatsu Sesshin, Senseis Kaz and Monshin delve into zazen as a “distillation of the highest wisdom.” They discuss how we often selectively choose what receives our attention, […]

On the fourth full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Shinzan explore the interplay of spiritual insight and practical or “common sense” wisdom. Sensei Kaz emphasizes maintaining ethical boundaries in spiritual practice, warning against neglecting common sense […]

On the fifth full day of Rohatsu, Sensei Kaz and Wendy Lau explore the roots of Buddhist teachings. Kaz reflects on an excerpt from the Avatamsaka Sutra, and discusses themes of spiritual beliefs and practices in the […]

On the second full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Kozan delve into the concept of ‘wisdom beyond wisdom' (Prajna Paramita) and reflect on the importance of faith in the teachings and sitting practice. Kaz reframes ‘attaining' […]

On this first full day of Rohatsu Sesshin, Roshi Joan, alongside Senseis Kaz and Kodo, offers practical guidance for this time of deep practice. Kaz and Roshi address the heightened states of suffering that can arise during […]

2024-12-08 | Rohatsu Ceremony by Appamada

2024-12-07 | Rohatsu Intensive | Summary | Laurie Winnette by Appamada

Students gave talks on some of Buddha's lists during the week. This is my reflections from the week of talks. There are drawings that go with this talk. You can see them at: https://tinyurl.com/RohatsuTalks

Genjo Marinello Osho gave this Teisho during the seventh day of Rohatsu 2024 Sesshin at Chobo-Ji. This talk explores our need to breakthrough repeatedly to gain confidence it what is real and transcendent.

Genjo Marinello Osho gave this Teisho during the fifth day of Rohatsu 2024 Sesshin at Chobo-Ji. This talk explores direct demonstrations of the transcendent (combination of ordinary and absolute perspectives).

Genjo Marinello Osho gave this Teisho during the middle day of Rohatsu 2024 Sesshin at Chobo-Ji. This talk explores how we can't avoid tears and loss, and how to face impermanence.

Genjo Marinello Osho gave this Teisho during the third day of Rohatsu 2024 Sesshin at Chobo-Ji. This talk explores how many questions in Zen have a double meaning, and how we are all worthy to be cared for, even if we are blind in one way another.

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.

In this final talk of Upaya Zen Center's 2023 Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kaz opens with a reflection from a time he worked with clinicians to support their happiness and well […]

In this dharma talk on day 3 of Rohatsu 2023 Sesshin Sensei Kaz covers mindfulness, transformation, and interconnectedness and Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment, Mahayana Buddhism's rise, and Shunyata. He emphasizes continuous […]

In this Talk Sensei Kaz reads a piece of his work which addresses the misery of war, the power of praying for one's enemies, and the vision of a world […]

In this day one Rohatsu dharma talk, Sensei Kaz and Roshi Joan reflect on the breakthrough enlightenment of Buddha, emphasizing the relevance of Buddha's message in addressing contemporary sufferings. They […]

In this Dharma talk Sensei Kaz speaks to the reality of suffering in the world, in himself, his friends, family, society and environment. Kaz reminds us the reason we sit […]

In this Teisho, given during No-Rank's Rohatsu sesshin on January 17th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 10 of the Hekiganroku: Bokushus's "Empty Headed Fool." Our modern mind has lost much of its capactiy to feel into and relate to the world in ways that are deep and intimate. Koan study allows us to enter a different way of being and relating if only we are willing to step out of the shallows.

Everything can become the path. The teachers of this Rohatsu – Senseis Kaz, Shinzan, Kozan, & Kodo and Roshi Joan – offer their closing statements, reminding us of we can […]

Sensei Kaz and Roshi Joan speak beautifully about the path of service and its deep and simple relationship to practice and personal suffering. Roshi says it is only in our honest reflection […]

On day two of 2022 Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kaz Tanahashi  talks about the practice of meditation and working meditation, highlighting the importance of unity and connection. He touches on the […]

Sensei Kozan, and Sensei Kaz remind us “without samsara there would be no practice”. When we consider this reminder along side Dogen's quote “Between aspiration, practice, enlightenment, and nirvana, there is […]

Sensei Kaz and Sensei Kodo reflect on the common question of how do spiritual and esoteric teachings of buddhism relate to the serious social and global issues, aswering the question of how […]

In this illuminating dharma talk given on day four of Rohatsu sesshin, 2023, Sensei Kaz Tanahashi and Sensei Shinzan Palma speak to the importance of recognizing and embracing our inner […]

On the eve of Rohatsu, the celebration of the Buddha's awakening, Roshi Joan Halifax considers the theme of “breakthrough”. How do we breakthrough our own limiting beliefs and behaviors to […]