Yunmen’s Every Day is a Good Day.
09/04/2021, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SanFranciscoZenCenterPublicLectures/~4/4bBNV4Ud2L8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Appreciate Your Life

Shuso Talk by Bert Dyer on November 7, 2013 at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center.

SFZC Live

You Are Beautiful

2014-03-08 Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts Dharma talk at City Center

Call Out My Name

09/15/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.
In this talk given at Green Gulch Farm, Abiding Abbott Jiryu Rutschman-Byler continues to explore four core elements of zazen practice: low belly, upright spine, clear mind, and wide-open welcoming. He focuses in particular on the practice of "clearing the mind," using teachings of the Buddha and from the Platform Sutra to discuss the dynamic between, on the one hand, welcoming everything including thought, and on the other hand, the fact that without a clear, empty mind the practice of welcoming often feels inaccessible to us.

Clearing the Mind

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Onryu Mary Stares. In this talk Onryu Mary Stares discusses the five considerations the Buddha lists that allow us to practice Right Speech. These considerations shape our relationship with ourselves and with all beings.

Moving Towards Right Speech

This talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道. The talk is an exploration of taking refuge in our true nature as we navigate the seasons of life.

Taking Refuge

In this talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji), Andrea Thach reflects on on stories from the life of her teacher Sojun Mel Weitsman, and talks about careful attention and devotion in our activities.  Recorded on July 6, 2024.

The Mantra Of Our Life

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Inryũ Poncé-Barger. IInryũ invokes stories about the beloved Zen poet Ryokan, and discusses other koans and commentaries. Recorded on July 12, 2024.

Practicing With The Mirror Of Zazen

In this talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji), Horin Nancy Petrin talks about the new Zen-Inspired Senior Living Facility, Enso Village, and about ageing as a practice.  Recorded on July 13, 2024.

Navigating Not-Knowing

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Kodo Conlin. Recorded on August 3, 2024.

Warm-heartedness

08/18/2024, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.
The Sixth Chinese Zen Ancestor, defining "zazen" (sitting meditation), said " 'za' (sitting) means not to be obstructed by anything and not to activate thoughts about objects, and 'zen' means to see our original nature without being confused." In this talk, Kokyo explores what it means to reify thoughts and to see true nature by not seeing anything.

The Sixth Ancestor of Zen on the Practice of Zazen

10/05/2024, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at City Center.
This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Shosan Victoria Austin. When we are challenged by anger, it's easy to react and difficult to respond. How might Zen practices of giving, tolerance and enthusiasm help us let go of relational barriers, transforming them into gateways to increased intimacy? In times of conflict and unwanted change, what tools might the tradition offer to refresh our deeper intention? What do we need to remember and to do, to nourish ourselves, the other, and the space of trust that we share?

Zen Practices for Anger

10/19/2024, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center.
This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple’s October one-day sitting, held at Unity Church, by Tanto (head of practice) Gengyoko Tim Wicks. Using this famous koan (Zen teaching story) Tim discusses the connection that our pasts have with the present and how it is that we practice with our difficulties.

Wu-tsu's Buffalo Passes Through the Window

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Fall 2024 Practice Period co-leader So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson. This talk centers on the Zen practice of welcoming, rooted in Suzuki Roshi's teachings. We explore how welcoming everything—joy, discomfort, and impermanence—brings us into deeper alignment with the present moment. Through the metaphor "The body is the temple, and awareness is the host," we uncover how zazen allows us to meet life with openness, breaking down the boundaries between self and the world. By fully welcoming our experience, we connect with our true nature and the interconnectedness of all things.

Welcoming All

06/30/2024, Myoju Erin Merk, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.
This talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Myoju Shinjin Erin Merk on Pride Day 2024 in a celebration of gratitude and Queer Joy. This is Erin's first talk following her three week Dharma Transmission ceremony at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center.

Human Life is Precious

This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by visiting teacher Gaylon Ferguson. During the Fall 2024 Practice Period at Beginner’s Mind Temple, the community is studying Dr. Ferguson’s book “Welcoming Beginner’s Mind: Zen and Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom on Experiencing Our True Nature.” Dr. Ferguson begins by talking about the historical and continuing connection between San Francisco Zen Center and the Shambhala International Buddhist community where he was trained. Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche were close friends in life, and our communities continue that connection and shared practices. In the second portion of the talk, Dr. Ferguson looks at five phrases and their interpretations from Zen and Tibetan Buddhist perspectives. The five phrase-topics covered are: beginner’s mind; practice-realization; no gaining idea; buddha-buddha-buddha; and, “grief is a Buddha.” Recorded on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Beginner’s Mind: Zen and Tibetan Buddhist Practice Understandings

11/06/2024, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center.
This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by tanto (head of practice) and practice period co-leader Gengyoko Tim Wicks. In the talk, Tim shares some of the teachings that are being studied this practice period and talks about practicing wherever we find ourselves. Recorded on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

The Temple Is Where You Are

11/16/2024, Paula Arai, dharma talk at City Center.
This dharma talk by visiting teacher Paula Arai at Beginner’s Mind Temple explores Buddhism from a woman’s perspective, focusing on the liberating power of storytelling in sutras. Combining rigorous research and an embodied approach, Arai humanizes Buddhist women’s experiences. She shared two stories—Queen Shrimala and "Bowing With the Dharma"—from her upcoming book, "Of Lotuses and Mud: Women Liberating Dharma".

The Creative Expedient of Liberating Narrative

In this talk, given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji), Shindo Gita Gayatri reflects on times of change at Zen Center and in the wider world, using Dogen's fascicle Uji (Being Time) and the non-dual Advaita Vedanta teachings from her native India to illustrate her thoughts. Recorded on August 14, 2024.

The Freedom of Each Moment and Existence

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Shindo Gita Gayatri. Shindo discusses the unique quality of zazen, and references Dogen's Fukanzazengi, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Ayurvedic medicine in her talk. Recorded on August 16, 2024

Simply Sitting

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Shogen Danielson. Shogen's talk touches on the absolute, the inconceivable aspects of the human condition, that we also call Buddha Nature. Recorded on August 23, 2024.

Wholeness

This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Heather Shoren Iarusso. Heather highlights one of the most striking stories about Buddhist women, from the "The Hidden Lamp" collection -  Miaozong's dharma interview. She talks about how the story's frankness helps reclaim women's power. Recorded on August 30, 2024.

Everyone Comes Out Of This Place

10/06/2024, Gyokuden Stephanie Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.
In this talk, from Green Gulch Farm by Gyokuden Steph Blank, Steph reflects on practice in the temple and in the marketplace with an abiding love for both environments.

Use Your Gift-Bestowing Hands

10/26/2024, Tenku Ruff, dharma talk at City Center.
This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by visiting teacher Tenku Ruff. How can we stay present during this great storm of the present moment?

The Great Storm

11/03/2024, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this practice period talk, Senior Dharma Teacher Eijun asks: how do we practice when we are anxious and fearful —especially when there are great challenges in our life. Back to the basics!

Meeting What Scares You in Four Immeasurable Ways

11/10/2024, Zesho Susan O'Connell, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk by Zesho Susan O’Connell examines the vast field of existence, the fabric of our world that can get torn and faded. We are not in control, but we can “clearly observe” the tears.

Field Far Beyond Form and Emptiness

11/23/2024, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center.
This dharma talk by former central abbot Rinso Ed Sattizahn examines Suzuki Roshi’s open, inviting practice, and unpacks Wang Wei’s poem “In my middle years…”

Enjoying the Source

11/30/2024, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center.
Sozan Michael McCord discusses where the concept of work practice came from in the Zen Buddhist tradition and how the principles found in the monastic setting can be used in any modern work context.

Zen at Work: Using Zen Principles in the Modern Work Day

10/27/2024, Furyu Nancy Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.
Senior dharma teacher Furyu Schroeder examines a variety of approaches for working with the difficulties in our life, all of them include bringing our attention to our thoughts and to our feelings.

Just Stop At Feelings

11/17/2024, Abbot Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm.
In this talk, closing a five day sesshin, Jiryu talks about the unborn, undying aspect of reality, opened to through the practice of stopping, dropping off everything, and just being our ordinary self.

Eternal Peace

11/24/2024, Kiku Christina Lehnherr, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Kiku Christina Lehnherr teaches that practicing and overtly expressing appreciation, gratitude and generosity towards all the people, situations and things, great and small, that support our lives and fill them with love and beauty, is a powerful antidote to challenging situations.

THANKS – GIVING

12/07/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center.
Jisan Tova Green weaves together several themes in this final talk of the City Center Fall 2024 Practice Period: welcoming beginner's mind and the ten ox-herding pictures, Buddha's enlightenment, and seeing our path of practice as a journey, not unlike Buddha's journey.

Everything Is Connected

11/20/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center.
In this dharma talk by Fall 2024 practice period co-leader Jisan Tova Green, Tova investigates how it's possible to find inner freedom in a world in which so many beings are not free to fully be who they are.

Finding Freedom

12/18/2024, Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center.
Roger Hillyard explores the idea of transmission — how it flows in all directions, how we experience it in our lives, and how Eihei Dogen wrote about it in “Twining Vines.”

The River of Transmission

12/21/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center.
On the occasion of the Winter Solstice, Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman delves into the themes of stillness, rest, liminality, and balance.

Solstice: In the Darkness There is Light

12/28/2024, Sozan Miglioli, dharma talk at City Center.
Sozan Miglioli explores the four fundamental principles of Wa, Kei, Sei, and Jaku—core teachings rooted in Zen and essential to the Way of Tea.

Harmony, Respect, Purity, Tranquillity

12/10/2024, Chikudo Catherine Spaeth, dharma talk at Tassajara.

The Womb of Emptiness and the Paramitas

11/11/2017, Frank Ostaseski, dharma talk at City Center.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SanFranciscoZenCenterPublicLectures/~4/FUodciCaKJc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

The Thin Line Between Life and Death

The Bodhisattvas' Six Modes of Going Beyond

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

The purpose of San Francisco Zen Center is to make accessible and embody the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha as expressed in the Soto Zen tradition established by Dogen Zenji in 13th-century Japan and conveyed to us by Suzuki Roshi and other Buddhist teachers. Our practice flows from the insight that all beings are Buddha, and that sitting in meditation is itself the realization of Buddha nature, or enlightenment.

San Francisco Zen Center

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