One of our primary Koans in our Zen training used to open and awaken the mind is, "Who is hearing"?  Zen Master Bassui, who was passionate about this koan urged his students throughout his life to take up this question. Our practice of Who's hearing has strong resonances with the indigenous practice of Dadirri.  Dadirri is a word that comes from the language of the Aboriginal people in the Daly River region in NT. Aboriginal elder Miriam -Rose Ungunmerr describes Dadirri as inner, deep listening and quiet, still awareness.  How do we apply this practice?  When you sit, open your whole being to just hearing. Just hearing resolves the dualistic gap between the hearer and the heard.

This dharma talk was given by Subhana Barzaghi, roshi on the first day of Autumn sesshin 2021 at SZC's bush zendo - Kodoji, NSW

2021 Autumn sesshin

Who is Hearing?

There are three primary practices in Zen training - Mindfulness of breathing, Koan practice which is working with an existential question and  silent illumination practice. Silent illumination is both a practice method and realisation of mind. We need to make a distinction between  silent illumination which is the direct realisation of mind and silent  illumination that entails a practical practice. What then is this silence? Silence refers to the fact that we are originally free from all narratives of the self, the "I" "me' 'my' conditioned view. Silent illumination is also called the method of no method.  Illumination is the mind free of all clinging, aversion and grasping after  experiences in the sensory field. It is the clear mirror like quality  that reflects things as they are.

2021 Autumn sesshin day 2

Silent Illumination - Practice and realisation of mind

The Bodhisattva of Compassion is a salient figure in the Mahayana tradition and in our Zen sutra service. She (he!) manifests in different genders and forms which speak to us in slightly different ways. But her means are always generous, whether in pronouncing the deepest wisdom, portraying great action, modelling how to be embodied, showing the way of non-separation.  In this talk she even appears in a country-western style song.

This talk was given by Maggie Gluek, roshi on Zoom at the SZC July 2021 zazenkai

Zazenkai

Meeting Kuan Yin

The Dharma talk explores the Four Great Bodhisattva Vows and how they have their roots in the Four Noble Truths and hence the four great related tasks in walking the path of liberation from suffering.  What does it mean to live by and embody these aspirational vows and noble intentions for the benefit of all being. 

This teisho was given by Subhana Barzaghi, roshi at the SZC Autumn sesshin 2022

Autumn sesshin 2022

The Way of the Bodhisattva

Subhana Barzaghi, roshi gives meditation Instructions, an introduction and guided meditation practice on Silent Illumination.  Silent Illumination is a both a practice and the direct realisation of mind.  It was developed by Chinese Zen master Hongzhi and has its roots in Shamata Vipassana practice of early Buddhism.  It was later called Shikantaza in Japanese Zen &/or Just Sitting.   

Subhana Barzaghi gave this teisho at the SZC Autumn sesshin 2022

Autumn Sesshin 2022

Silent Illumination

Subhana Barzaghi, roshi explores the deep and profound teachings of ‘emptiness’ the selfless dimension or the self-forgotten and its misunderstandings.  What does it mean to cultivate that which is already our inherent true nature, which cannot be cultivated, yet it can be realised.  This Dharma talk inquires into the aspects of the liberated nature of mind: of infinite space, unification of mind and body, and sublime joy and wonder. 

This teisho was given by Subhana Barzaghi, roshi at SZC's Autumn sesshin 2022

Cultivating the Empty Field

Senior student, Alladin Jones, gives us instructions about how to sit with a koan. Aitken roshi described them in this way:
"Koans are tiny doors that open to great vistas inviting us to wander through endless gardens. And they are the folk stories of Zen and like folk stories their expression is presentational rather than discursive. And they are poetic and sometimes non verbal."
This Dharma instruction was given at SZC Autumn sesshin in 2022

What is a Koan?

‘Dropping Ashes on the Buddha’ is a koan that is not normally investigated as part of our tradition. It is a koan by the Korean Zen Master Seung Shan.

This teisho was given by apprentice teacher Will Moon at SZC Spring sesshin in 2022

Spring sesshin 2022

Seung Sahn Drops Ashes on the Buddha

This teisho, given at Jane Andino's Transmission ceremony, explores the origins and evolving nature of Sangha. With the help of some home-made koans, the talk also develops the theme that Sangha is not merely a means to get things done as a unit of organisation, but also presents the essential. 

This teisho was given on the last day of SZC's Winter sesshin in 2022

Winter sesshin - Jane's Transmission 2022

What is Sangha?

Subhana gives meditation instructions for Silent Illumination, also known as Just Sitting or Shikantaza.  Zen master’s Hongzhi illuminated Silent Illumination as both method and realisation of mind.  She gives a guided meditation of 15 mins, sitting in open expansive spacious awareness and letting go of identification with body and mind. 
This talk was given by Subhana Barzaghi at Autumn sesshin 2023 at Kodoji

Autumn sesshin

Dogen’s metaphor of Stone Woman giving birth to a child by night encapsulates the wisdom of seeing into the empty nature of the ‘self’ and all hence all phenomenal things.  This realisation opens out to the way of true intimacy of interconnectedness with the 10,000 things of the world.  The awakening to the interpenetration of emptiness and form emerges through the gateway of the ‘not knowing’ mind. This teisho was given by Subhana Barzaghi, roshi at Autumn sesshin 2023 at Kodoji, SZC.

Autumn sesshin 2023

Stone Woman

Hakuin Zenji is credited with revitalising the Rinzai (Linji) tradition in 18th century Japan. In this talk, Jane Andino, roshi looks at aspects of Hakuin’s life which serve as a reflection on our modern-day Zen practice. She explores Hakuin’s art and calligraphy as teaching, and his efforts to transform Zen from a quietist practice to one of vigour, with emphasis on koan study.
This talk was given By Jane Andino, roshi on day 2 of the SZC Winter sesshin 2023

Winter sesshin 2023

Hakuin Zenji

Ta-mei asked Ma-tsu, “What is Buddha?” Ma-tsu said, “This very mind is Buddha.” In this talk, Peter takes up the well-known case 30 of the Mumonkan. Shibayama Roshi said that “This very mind is Buddha’ is a very important philosophical saying which concisely depicts the essence of zen” yet any philosophical expositions on “This very mind is Buddha”, whether from Ma-tsu, Bodhidharma or whoever, are simply that, and we must take up Ma-tsu's phrase as a live zen koan. Peter explores this case through the lens of Ta-mei's own awakening, as well as our own practice and realisation. 
This talk was given by apprentice teacher Peter Bursky on day 3 of the SZC Winter sesshin.

This very mind is Buddha

There are koan stories that obliquely look at blame, shame, getting it wrong, embarrassment and a host of other possible difficulties that every human being, perfectly imperfect, experiences every single day, that reveal how a Zen person is with this stuff.  Does a Zen person blush with shame?  Quake with anxiety?  Flutter with insecurity?  If not, why not?   Gillian Coote, roshi  looks into a couple of these blame and shame stories, including the koan Te'shan's Bowls.
This teisho was given at Spring sesshin 2023 at Sydney Zen Centre.

Spring sesshin 2023

Te-shan's bowls

Be faithful! Be faithful!

Trust and faith are almost synonyms, with slightly different shadings. However you language it, this quality, this mind, is essential to our Zen Buddhist practice. Core. It is indeed the last word that Zen Master Raven offers to his community. Where do you place your trust? How does it support you on a dark path? What is a life lived in faith?

This teisho was given by Maggie Gluek, roshi at Sydney Zen Centre's Rohatsu sesshin 2023

Rohatsu sesshin 2023

Trust in the Way

Elder Ting asked Linji, 'What is the essence of Buddhism?' Jane explores this important question by looking at Zen practice and how we integrate it into our daily lives. This talk, referring to Case 32 of the Blue Cliff Record, was given by Jane Andino, roshi at Sydney Zen Centre's Zazenkai in January 2024.

Zazenkai January 2024

Elder Ting bows

In February 2023 Will and his family began their journey to the Kimberley, after an internet search back in 2022 revealed a job advertised in Derby. There was a sort of half-hearted application for the job but when the phone call came that offered it, there was, strangely, absolutely no doubt he should accept.  It is mysterious how our life unfolds.  We step into the unknown, both consciously and unconsciously.  In his case, he had no idea how it might unfold yet he took that next step into each moment, following his instincts and best judgement.  The reality is, none of us know what the next step will bring.

This teisho was written by apprentice teacher Will Moon and read by Gillian Coote, roshi at Spring sesshin 2023. Will recorded the talk for this podcast.

Where did you go?

Whenever a monk came to see him Luzu turned around and sat facing the wall. Full stop, end of story. This was his teaching. He offered no words. 

Our core practice is sitting. What does it mean?

This talk by Maggie Gluek, roshi, considers zazen and the fact of a wall, drawing on the wisdom of Dogen and Aitken Roshi too. It meanders into a few thoughts on thoughts, non-thinking and what we call “the mind."

Sydney Zen Centre's Rohatsu sesshin 2023

Luzu proffers freedom

The Heart Sutra is the essence of the wisdom teachings of liberation.  It is a summary of the Buddha’s awakening experience under the Bodhi Tree.  The dharma talk explores and clarify the wonderful yet highly misunderstood teachings of emptiness.  Empty of what?   Emptiness does not mean annihilation or nihilism or that you do not exist.    After investigating all 5 skandhas / aggregates – form, feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousness we find them empty of a permanent, enduring, separate, self.  Yet this emptiness is full of life overflowing with inter-being, the birds, trees, sky, forest and all beings inter-are woven into a seamless totality.  
 This teisho was given by Subhana Barzaghi, roshi at 2024 Autumn sesshin at Kodoji

Autumn sesshin 2024

Heart Sutra

The ocean of inter-being is our true nature. Can we see a cloud in your cup of tea. Present moment is an open field of benefaction.  Our interpersonal and relational field and its correlation with the latest theories of Quantum physics – interactive, dynamic quantum field of probabilities being created and annihilated every moment. Embodying the wonder and joy of Indra’s Web of interconnectedness. How can we enlarge our vision to see our shared world more spaciously and more compassionately.  
This teisho was given by Subhana Barzaghi, roshi at 2024 Autumn sesshin at Kodoji

Ocean of Interbeing

Will explores our relationship between our problems and our practice, and our attitude to our problems. This teisho draws upon several koan examples that involve problems and our approach to our practice. This includes..The Iron Flute case 33: 'Yueh Shan solves the monk's problem', Blue Cliff Record case 6: 'Every day is a good day', and Case 30 of the Gateless Barrier, Matsu: 'This very mind is Buddha'.
This teisho was given by Will Moon, apprentice SZC teacher, at Autumn sesshin 2024 at Kodoji.

Having Problems?

This teisho explores how being present in the here and now better enables us to cope and to respond in a world with increasing conflict and increasing ecological collapse, where we can feel like we have less and less control and where there feels like great uncertainty. Will discusses how to live well in today's world by responding from our place of intimacy. 
This teisho was given by apprentice teacher Will Moon at Autumn 2024 sesshin at Kodoji

Losing Control

Suchness is also referred to as Tathagata another name for the Buddha – the one who is thus gone, thus comes, the one who sees reality as-it-really-is.  The teachings of suchness are encapsulated in the much-loved succinct Bahiya Sutta.  The Sutta instructs us how to practice just seeing, just hearing, just sensing, just cognising, and thus how to realise the end of suffering.  This affirms that the Great Way is not difficult it simply avoids picking and choosing.  
This teisho was given by Subhana Barzaghi, roshi at 2024 Autumn sesshin at Kodoji

The Suchness of Things

This is a talk by Allan Marett Sensei of the Sydney Zen Centre on the third day of Rohatsu Sesshin 2014, discussing the Buddha's enlightenment.

Rohatsu 2014

Buddha's Enlightenment

1979 Sesshin – Orientation Talk No.1 Aitken Roshi discusses in this opening talk the different paths people may take in seeking to put their minds at rest. Some pursue intellectuality, mind control, asceticism or meditation. The middle path does not deny a degree of any of these pursuits, it is the degree to which these means are pursued that can be problematic for the success of the practitioner.

The first step in Zen practice is to learn to concentrate the mind, however this is not the final aim, it is just a first step. Rather we are seeking a whole-hearted absorption with the rising and falling away of our experience.

With enough practice, the zen student may arrive at a true and genuine confidence in their understanding of who they are, what they are and where they have come from.

Sesshin 1979

The First Lesson of Zen

Robert Aitken Roshi discusses each of the ten grave precepts in the context of Zen practice in this historic talk given in 1979.

Orientation Talks

The Ten Grave Precepts

Robert Aitken Roshi discusses the Four Vows given by Zen students who are taking Jukai. He describes what they mean to him, what they mean to the Sangha and what they mean metaphysically. This talk was given in 1985.

Jukai Talks

The Four Vows

Subhana Barzaghi, roshi talks about silent illumination (or shikantaza) and addresses some of the misconceptions about it. She stresses that whether students are koan students or shikanataza students, our practice in zen is the same. Subhana also addresses the need for shikantaza students to engage with and to be guided in their practice by a teachers counsel.

This Zazenkai talk was given in February 2015 at the Sydney Zen Centre

2015 Zazenkai

Silent Illumination Practice

Gillian Coote, roshi addresses the problem practitioners often have in explaining their practice to others. Answering ‘it helps me to remain calm’ or ‘to gain some insight’ reduces the practice to a very small part of what it is.

Gillian takes up Case 30 of the Wu-Men Kuan, where this problem is reflected in the dialogue between Nan-yuëh and Ma-tsu, in which Ma-tsu states his reason for doing zazen as “I seek to become a Buddha”.

Nan-yuëh responds to this by picking up a roofing tile and polishing it. When asked what he is doing Nan-yuëh responds that he is making a mirror.

“Can a piece of roofing tile be made into a mirror?” asks Ma-tsu.

“Can a Buddha be created by doing zazen?” responds Nan-yuëh.

Gillian concludes in her talk:

No goals, no purpose, it is coming home, that’s the reason for practice

Dedication:
This talk was dedicated to the memory of Bun Heang, Cambodian refugee who came to Australia in 1980. His work as an artist is viewable on the ANU’s Digital collection website and is in the Menzies Library, some 90 drawings of the horrors of the Pol Pot regime.

This talk was given at a Zazenkai at the Sydney Zen Centre in February, 2014

Zazenkai Dharma Talks & Teishos 2014

What is Your Purpose in Doing Zazen?

Robert Aitken, Roshi explores the three pure precepts: cutting off all evil, practising all good, and saving all beings in this historic talk given in 1985.

1985 Talks

The Three Pure Precepts

This is a full sesshin sutra service including chanting and reciting. Included is Ancient Ground, a special chant, which reflects and connects to the ancient land we share with the indigenous people of Australia.

This recording was made with the sesshin participants in Autumn 2019 at Kodoji, Ancient Ground Zendo.

Sutra service chants at Autumn sesshin 2019

Full Sutra Service Chants

We are one of Australia's original Zen groups. We offer weekly meditation nights, silent retreats, and orientations for beginners. All are welcome.

Sydney Zen Centre Podcasts

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