Podcast appearances and mentions of serenity case

Talk from OzZEN Zazenkai in Sawtell 2nd March 2025. Intimacy in Zen is discussed in terms of the two aspects of 1. presence with all of life, and 2. emotional availability and vulnerability. A complete offering of ourselves, unmasked. This brings forth the character of the Bodhisattva as: simple, joyful, and open to life's possibilities. We mention “Intimacy and Commitment” from Ordinary Mind Zen teacher Elihu Genmyo Smith's book “Everything is the way”. We mention three koans: The Hands and Eyes of the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion (Blue Cliff Record Case 89), The National Teacher's Monument (Blue Cliff Record Case 18), and Dizang's “Not knowing is most intimate” (Book of Serenity Case 20).

2024-10-21 | Depth in Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 30 Dasui's “Aeonic Fire” | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2024-10-14 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 29 Fengxue's Iron Ox | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2024-10-07 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 28 The Three Embarassments | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

https://morningstarzensangha.blogspot.com/2019/03/koans-as-pointers-two-monks-roll up.html#:~:text=According%20to%20this%20case%2C%20%E2%80%9CThe,'One%20gains%3B%20one%20loses

20240923 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 26 Yangshan Points to Snow | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2024-09-09 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 24 Look Out for the Snake | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

Join us on Monday nights: https://appamada.org/main-calendar Luzu Faces the Wall: Case: Whenever Luzu saw a monk coming, he would immediately face the wall. Nanquan, hearing of this, said, "I usually tell them to realize mastery before the empty aeon, to understand before the buddhas appear in the world; still I haven't found one or a half. Luzu that way will go on till the year of ass.”

2024-08-26 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 22 Yantou's “Bow and Shout” | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2024-08-19 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 21 Yunyan Sweeps the Ground | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

Depth in Practice spends a second week discussing Case 20: Dizang asked Fayan, "Where are you going?" // Fayan said, "Around on pilgrimage." // Dizang said, "What is the purpose of pilgrimage?" // Fayan said, "I don't know." //Dizang said, "Not knowing is most intimate.” Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

The Depth in Practice group discusses Case 20: Dizang asked Fayan, "Where are you going?"// Fayan said, "Around on pilgrimage." // Dizang said, "What is the purpose of pilgrimage?" // Fayan said, "I don't know." // Dizang said, "Not knowing is most intimate." // Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

The Depth in Practice group continues discussing Case 18: A monk asks Zhaozho, "Does the dog have Buddha Nature?" // Zhaozho says, "Yes." // The monk says, "Since it has, why is it then in this skin bag?" // Zhaozho replies, "Although he knows better he deliberately transgresses." // Another monk comes along: "Does the dog have Buddha Nature?" // "No," Zhaozho says. (The Japanese word "Mu" means " no.") // The monk says, "All beings have Buddha Nature, why not this dog?" // "Because he still has a mind," Zhaozho answers. // Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

The Depth in Practice group discusses Case 19: A monk asked Yunmen, “Not a single thought arises: is there any fault or not?” // Yunmen said, “Mt. Sumeru.” // [According to Jain cosmology, Mount Meru (or Sumeru) is at the center of the world surrounded by Jambūdvīpa, in the form of a circle forming a diameter of 100,000 yojans. (description from Wikipedia)] Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

The Depth in Practice group discusses Case 18: A monk asks Zhaozho, "Does the dog have Buddha Nature?" // Zhaozho says, "Yes." // The monk says, "Since it has, why is it then in this skin bag?" // Zhaozho replies, "Although he knows better he deliberately transgresses." // Another monk comes along: "Does the dog have Buddha Nature?" // "No," Zhaozho says. (The Japanese word "Mu" means " no.") // The monk says, "All beings have Buddha Nature, why not this dog?" // "Because he still has a mind," Zhaozho answers. // Additional links for this session: Buddha Nature: https://justthiszen.blogspot.com/2012/03/buddhathief-nature-buddhathief-nature.html Kim's take: https://justthiszen.blogspot.com/2012/03/do-dogs-have-buddha-nature-by-kim.html Chinese: https://justthiszen.blogspot.com/2009/05/dog-from-wumenguan.html Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

The Depth in Practice group discusses the following case: Fayan asked Xiushan, “A hairsbreadth's difference is as the distance between heaven and earth'-- how do you understand?” Xiushan said, “A hairsbreadth's difference is as the distance between heaven and earth.” Fayan said, “How can you get it that way?” Xiushan said, “I am just thus--what about you?” Fayan said, “A hairsbreadth's difference is as the distance between heaven and earth.” Xiushan thereupon bowed. Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

Depth in Practice discusses the following koan: Magu, ringed staff in hand, came to Zhangjing; he circled the meditation seat three times, shook his staff once, and stood there at attention. // Zhangjing said, Right, right.” // Magu also went to Nanquan, circled the meditation seat three times, shook his staff, and stood there at attention. // Nanquan said, “Wrong, wrong.” // Magu said, “Zhangjing said ‘right' — why do you say ‘wrong'?” // Nanquan said, “Zhangjing is right—it's you who's wrong. This is something that can be blown by the power of the wind—it inevitably disintigrates.” // Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

The Depth in Practice group discusses the following koan: "Where have you come from?" // Yangshan said, "From the rice field." // Guishan said, "How many people are there in the rice field?" // Yangshan thrust his hoe into the ground and stood with his hands folded on his chest. // Gusishan said, "There are a great number of people cutting thatch on the South Mountain." // Yangshan took up his hoe and left immediately. Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

The Depth in Practice group continues to discuss the following koan: "Where have you come from?" // Yangshan said, "From the rice field." // Guishan said, "How many people are there in the rice field?" // Yangshan thrust his hoe into the ground and stood with his hands folded on his chest. // Gusishan said, "There are a great number of people cutting thatch on the South Mountain." // Yangshan took up his hoe and left immediately. Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

Partipants spend a second week discussiong Case 14, Attendant Huo Offers Tea: Attendant Huo asked Deshan, “Where have all the past saints gone?” Deshan said, “What? What?” Huo said, “I gave the command for an excellent horse like a flying dragon to spring forth, but there came out only a lame tortoise.” Deshan was silent. The next day, when Deshan came out of the bath, Huo served him tea. Deshan passed his hand gently over Huo's back. Huo said, “This old fellow has gotten a glimpse for the first time.” Again, Deshan was silent. The Depth in Practice group meets virtually at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

Partipants discuss Case 14, Attendant Huo Offers Tea: Attendant Huo asked Deshan, “Where have all the past saints gone?” Deshan said, “What? What?” Huo said, “I gave the command for an excellent horse like a flying dragon to spring forth, but there came out only a lame tortoise.” Deshan was silent. The next day, when Deshan came out of the bath, Huo served him tea. Deshan passed his hand gently over Huo's back. Huo said, “This old fellow has gotten a glimpse for the first time.” Again, Deshan was silent. The Depth in Practice group meets virtually at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

2023-12-04 | Depth in Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 12 Dizang Planting the Fields | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2023-12-11 | Depth in Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 13 Linji's Blind Ass by Appamada

2023-11-27 | Depth in Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 12 Dizang Planting the Fields | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

This week the group discusses a koan about Yunmen's two sicknesses. Also included are a reading about China during the time of master Yunmen and commentary on the koan. This track is a recording of a meeting of the Depth in Practice group at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you would like to join, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

The group continues discussion of the koan about Yunmen's two sicknesses. This track is a recording of a meeting of the Depth in Practice group at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you would like to join, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

Participants discuss Case 10-The Woman of Taishan as they read the following essay: https://tinyurl.com/OldWomanofTaishan This track is a recording of a meeting of the Depth in Practice group at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group. If you would like to join, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

Yes, the cat is still being discussed! This track is a recording of a meeting of the Depth in Practice group at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group. If you would like to join, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

Discussion of the case of the cat continues and is supplemented with this essay by Dogen: http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/DogenStudies/Who_Is_Arguing.htm This track is a recording of a meeting of the Depth in Practice group at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group. If you would like to join, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

This track is a recording of a meeting of the Depth in Practice group at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group. If you would like to join, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

This track is a recording of a meeting of the Depth in Practice group at Appamada. Anyone is welcome to join the group. If you would like to join, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

In this session, participants read about the Wild Fox koan from these two texts: https://everydayzen.org/teachings/baizhangs-fox/ Norman Fischer on the Wild Fox https://tricycle.org/beginners/buddhism/what-is-karma/ Karma

2023-09-18 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 9 | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2023-09-04 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 8 part 1 | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2023-08-21 | Depth in Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 6 | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2023-08-28 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 7 |Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2023-08-14 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 5 |Thomas Cleary by Appamada

2023-07-31 | Depth In Practice | Book of Serenity-Case 4 | Thomas Cleary by Appamada

Norman gives a talk to the Upaya Center on Book of Serenity Case 30 "Dasui Aeonic Fire." 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/2023/01/24131129/Book-of-Serenity-Case-30-Dasui-Aeonic-Fire-Upaya-Center.mp3  

A toast to one year of Joy + Serenity and honoring the Open Hearts Foundation❤️Joy and Serenity Case offer with Signed Bottle:https://my.boissetcollection.com/wineflights/joy-serenity-case-offer-signed-bottle❤️Joy and Serenity per bottle:https://my.boissetcollection.com/wine/joy-serenity❤️Open Hearts Scarffhttps://my.boissetcollection.com/basicproduct/joy-serenity-red-scarf-jane-seymour

Dharma talk by Melissa Myozen Blacker, Roshi on April 15, 2022

Jeff Bickner and Sue Moon speak on the koan "Not Knowing is Most Intimate" based on a conversation of Dongshan (Daizeng) and his student Fayen.  This Koan can be found as Case 171 in the Tanahashi/Loori translation "The True Dharma Eye - Zen Master Dogen's three Hundred Koans."  It is also found in the Thomas Cleary version of the Book of Serenity Case 20. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/27125931/Zen-Master-Dongshan-Talk-5-_Not-Knowing-Is-Most-Intimate_-Jeff-Bickner-and-Sue-Moon-All-Day-Sitting-February-2022.mp3

Norman gives his third talk on stories of  Zen Master Dongshan - "Just This is It."  This talk references the book by Daigen Dan Leighton: "Just This Is It :Dongshan and the Practice of Suchness," as we'll as the book of Serenity Case 49 and 98.  https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/18110020/Zen-Master-Dongshan-_Just-This-Is-It_-Talk-3-Addition-Stories-including-Book-of-Serenity-49-and-98.mp3  

Norman gives his first talk on Zen Master Dongshan, "Just This Is It".  Koans and stories about this seminal zen master.  The reference books used are; Taigen Dan Leighton "Just This Is It: Dongshan and the Practice of Suchness," Book of Serenity Case 49 "Dongshan Presents Offerings Before The Image," "Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi (PDF), Andy Ferguson "Zen's Chinese Heritage."   https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/03135233/Zen-Master-Dongshan-Just-This-is-It-Talk-1.mp3

Norman gives his talk to the EDZ December 2021 All Day Sitting on Case 58 of the Book of Serenity "The Diamond Scripture's Revilement".  In this koan the Commentary of the Sixth Patriarch is paramount to the meaning of the Koan. https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/02173032/Book-of-Serenity-Case-58-_The-Diamond-Scriptures-Revilement_-All-Day-Sitting-December-2021.mp3

ADZG 934 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Kokyo Henkel

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi - Zen Mountain Monastery, New York, Sunday 08/29/2021 - From the Book of Serenity - Case 21: Ungan Sweeps the Ground

Rev. Chimyo Simone Atkinson - Zen Mountain Monastery, 06/20/21 - Book of Serenity Case 2: "Emperor Wu Asked The Great Teacher Bodhidharma" - In this heart-warming Dharma talk, Chimyo Sensei recounts her time practicing in Japan. She speaks about the experience of truly not knowing and practicing just that. She also encourages us to stay in this state of not knowing.

ADZG 861 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Douglas Floyd

ADZG 846 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Zengyu Paul Discoe

ADZG 833 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Eishin Nancy Easton

ADZG 832 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton

Norman presents his talk on the Book of Serenity, Case 30 at the Bay Area Sangha All Day Sitting August 29, 2020 Read More

ADZG 816 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Douglas Floyd

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 67 - THE FLOWER GARLAND SUTRA’S WISDOM, and CASE 68 - KYUHO’S HEAD AND TAIL. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:October 7th-8th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 62 - Biko's No Enlightenment, CASE 63 - Joshu Asks About [Great] Death, CASE 64 - Shisho's Transmission, and CASE 65 - Shuzan's New Bride. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Sept 9th-10th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI - COMMENCING this ANGO & JUKAI! »

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 58 - The Diamond Sutra's Reviling, CASE 59 - Seirin's Deadly Snake, CASE 60 - Ryutetsuma's Old Cow, and CASE 61 - Kempo's One Stroke. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:August 12th-13th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 54 - Ungans Great Compassionate One, CASE 55 - Seppo the Rice Cook, CASE 56 - Mishi's White Rabbit, and CASE 57 - Genyo's One Thing. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:July 1st-2nd, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity:CASE 51: Hogen's "By Boat or Land"CASE 52: Sozan's DharmakayaCASE 53: Obaku's DregsCASE 54: Ungans Great Compassionate OneFurther reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: June 3rd-4th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

For my first dharma talk at the Village Zendo I take up the Book of Serenity Case 15, "Yangshan Plants His Hoe." The koan may seem obscure, but in fact it's about our work now in New York City, our work to understand and end homelessness, unjust incarceration, and racism.