Engage Wisdom Alpha Archive

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Title Speaker Date

Obon Days

Serial: SR-00166 This talk explores the cultural and historical contexts of the Obon festival in Japan, an event honoring ancestral spirits, and how these practices relate to broader Asian cultural and spiritual histories. The discussion provides...
Ceremony, Big Mind, Nishiari Bokusan, Offering, Suffering, American, Faith
Aug 12 1971
Tassajara

Beyond the Illusion of Self

Serial: KR-00051 This talk discusses the concept of transiency in Zen philosophy, emphasizing the transient nature of all things, including identity and existence. Through the practice of Zazen, layers of constructed self-identity are stripped...
Constancy, American, Lotus Sutra, Addiction, training, lecture, Suffering
Aug 12 1971

Momentary Reality: Embracing the Ephemeral

Serial: KR-00050 The talk focuses on the transient nature of time and existence, emphasizing the Buddhist concept of momentariness, or "Setsuna" (Japanese) and "Kusana" (Sanskrit). It discusses Dogen's teachings in "Shobo Genzo" regarding the...
Bell, Posture, Hate, lecture, Addiction, Attachment, Consciousness
Aug 10 1971

Embracing Transiency in Zen Living

Serial: KR-00049 The talk addresses the concept of transiency in Zen philosophy, emphasizing the importance of facing the reality of human life without adornment or attachment. The discussion explores how life's transient nature is inherent in...
Posture, Concentration, Attachment, Constancy, Birth-and-Death, Hate
Aug 09 1971

Questions and Answers

Serial: SR-00167 The talk revolves around a Zen master's Q&A session addressing various concerns of the students related to Zen practice, perception, and daily challenges within a Zen community setting. Students engage with questions ranging...
Question-and-Answer, Yaoshan, Truth, Community, Breath, Anger, Freedom, Faith...
Aug 08 1971
Tassajara

Embracing Impermanence: A Buddhist Journey

Serial: KR-00048 The talk explores the harsh realities faced during wartime Japan and reflects on the personal experience of seeking solace through Buddhist practices, such as the invocation of the Buddha's name. It delves into the concept of...
Suffering, Building
Aug 08 1971

Zen Is Actually, In Short, Maybe, Communication

Serial: SR-00162 The key theme of this talk is the integral role of effective communication in Zen practice, particularly between teachers and students. It emphasizes the non-duality of existence, suggesting that a perceived separation between...
Teacher-and-Student, Question-and-Answer, Breath, Interview, Bell, Community, Wisdom, American...
Aug 07 1971
Tassajara

Transiency: Cultivating Compassion in Change

Serial: KR-00047 The talk focuses on the Buddhist concept of transiency and its significance in cultivating a compassionate mind. It compares Buddhist and Western perspectives, emphasizing the importance of understanding life through the...
Impermanence, Building, difficulty, Attachment, Suffering, Pain
Aug 07 1971

Embracing Emptiness in Everyday Life

Serial: KR-00258 This talk explores the Buddhist concept of emptiness and its application in daily life. The essence of the teaching is the absence of a substantial reality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the transient nature of life....
Hindrances, Discrimination, Birth-and-Death, Instruction, difficulty, training, American...
Aug 07 1971

Good Confidence In Your Practice

Serial: SR-00170 The discussion delves into the historical interplay between Bodhidharma and the King of Liang, exploring the nature of true Buddhist practice versus ritualistic or superficial engagement with the faith. The dialogue between...
Bodhidharma, First Principle, Bell, Wisdom, Breath, Building, American, Faith...
Aug 05 1971
Tassajara

On Bodhidharma's Day

Serial: SR-00103 The talk explores the profound teachings of Bodhidharma, focusing on his significant dialog with Hannyatara, the twenty-seventh patriarch, which delves into the concept of "fuki muso" — a state of non-arising and formlessness....
Ceremony, Non-duality, Nirvana, Dragons, Breath, Enemies, Building, Faith
Aug 04 1971
Tassajara

Because Of Our Many Desires, We Do Not Have Freedom

Serial: SR-00102 The talk discusses the nature of desires and the Buddhist path to freedom from worldly attachments, arguing that our desires restrict our freedom and cause suffering. It emphasizes practicing mindfulness to overcome these...
Freedom, Desire, Changsha, Suffering, Dana, Death, Lay, Offering, Bell, Truth...
Aug 03 1971
Tassajara

Freedom Within Karma's Embrace

Serial: KR-00264 The talk provides an in-depth analysis of the Buddhist concept of alaya vijnana or Eighth Consciousness, explaining its function at different levels: vipaka vijnana (effect of karma), bija vijnana (seed consciousness), and...
Consciousness, confusion, lecture, Birth-and-Death, difficulty, Discrimination, Evil,...
Aug 03 1971

At the Time of Yakusan

Serial: SF-06061 New version of this lecture has been uploaded, which may allow for more of the transcript to be done. The talk explores the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism during the time of Zen Master Yakusan Igen. It highlights the episode where Yakusan, known for his silent teachings, eludes giving a lecture as a means to impart...
Yaoshan, Faith
Aug 01 1971
Tassajara

Translation of Unknown Text

Serial: SR-00183 August 1971San Francisco The talk focuses on the symbolic and spiritual significance of the shaved head in Zen practice, highlighting its superior merit compared to the construction of a jewel-adorned stupa. The discourse accentuates that the act of...
Ceremony, Priest, Hate, Passions, Attachment, Forms
Aug 1971
City Center

Transcending Ego through Mindful Awareness

Serial: KR-00263 The talk explores the concept of the subconscious mind in Buddhism, focusing on the nature of ego, the Manas consciousness, and the moral nature of neutrality. It contrasts the metaphysical doctrines of eternalism and...
Consciousness, Evil, Ego, Interdependence, Constancy, Continuous Practice, Instruction,...
Jul 31 1971

To Attain The Perfection Of Human Practice

Serial: SR-00189 The talk delves into the historical and evolving nature of Buddhist precepts, particularly highlighting their transition from prohibitive to positive elements designed not merely for individual enlightenment but for the benefit...
Ceremony, First Principle, Mahayana, Buddha Nature, Building, Breath, Evil, Doubt, Enemies,...
Jul 30 1971
Tassajara

Ryaku Fusatsu Lecture

Serial: SR-00182 The audio of this tape has been improved, so the missing parts of the transcript may be worked out now. The talk explores the practice and historical background of Ryaku Fusatsu, a simplified observance of Buddhist precepts that are held at Tassajara in a manner similar to those at Eiheiji. The discussion covers the roots of the...
Ceremony, Eiheiji, Bodhisattva Precepts, Evil, Bell, Balance, heart, Death, Truth...
Jul 29 1971
Tassajara

Blue Cliff Records 61 - Fuketsu's One Particle Of Dust

Serial: SR-00190 The talk explores the concept of "big mind" versus "small mind" in Zen practice, emphasizing the idea of "no-mind" as true enlightenment. Through the koan of Fuketsu's "One Particle of Dust," the discussion highlights the...
Blue Cliff Record, Breath, Constancy, Freedom, Faith, Diversity, Greed, Religion, Anger,...
Jul 26 1971
Tassajara

Universal Practice for Laymen and Monks

Serial: SR-00175 Whatever you do is practice; be careful not to practice for the sake of the self. Zazen as a way to find realization and get used to realization. Whether priest or layperson, practice to develop buddha mind, not the small self. The talk outlines the concept of practice within Zen, emphasizing the importance of selflessness and the development of buddha-mind over self-centered practices. Practice, illustrated through activities like zazen, aims to reduce...
Practice, Zazen, Bodhisattva, Dogen, Sixth Patriarch, Buddha Mind, Faith, Truth, Fasting,...
Jul 25 1971
Tassajara

Virtue of Mountain and River

Serial: SR-00181 The talk delves into Dogen Zenji's writings in the "Shobogenzo" and the nature of Zen practice. The speaker challenges conventional interpretations of Soto and Rinzai practices, interpreting Dogen's analogy of "mountains flow"...
Dogen, Shobogenzo, First Principle, Soto Zen, Rinzai, Faith, Breath, sitting, Pain, Bell,...
Jul 24 1971
Tassajara

Echoes of Zen: Finding Inner Stillness

Serial: KR-00262 The talk delves into the transformative experience with Zen masters Hashimoto Roshi and Sawaki Roshi, illustrating contrasting teaching styles and their philosophical underpinnings. Hashimoto emphasizes the intrinsic value of...
Consciousness, Passions, Religion, Bell, lecture, Ego, Discrimination, confusion, Attachment,...
Jul 24 1971

San-Pachi-Nenju

Serial: SF-06030 The talk explores the practice of san-pachi-nenju, focusing on its integration with the Soto and Rinzai traditions and the importance of embodying non-dualistic principles in daily life. It highlights the need for lay...
Ceremony, First Principle, Faith, Non-duality, Diversity, Lay
Jul 22 1971
Tassajara

Something Which You Cannot Understand

Serial: SR-00207 The talk elaborates on the concept of enlightenment, emphasizing the difference between understanding and experiencing it. Discussion centers on the necessity of Zen practice, particularly zazen, for realizing one's inherent...
Buddha Nature, sitting, reality, Truth, Happiness, Breath, lecture
Jul 21 1971
Tassajara

One with Everything

Serial: SR-00208 Zazen TalkTuesday Evening, July 20, 1971Tassajara The talk centers on the Zen Buddhist perspective of the interconnectedness of spiritual and material aspects of existence, emphasizing the understanding of reality beyond dualistic concepts of good and bad, or spiritual and...
Non-duality, Breath, reality, Faith, Truth
Jul 20 1971
Tassajara

Bridging Minds: East and West Consciousness

Serial: KR-00261 The talk focuses on the intersection of Eastern and Western philosophical ideas concerning consciousness, particularly through the lens of Buddhist texts. Emphasis is placed on the complexities of consciousness as outlined in the...
Consciousness, Attachment, Concentration, Composure, confusion, Mahayana, Lotus Sutra, Posture...
Jul 20 1971

Why Then Is It Necessary To Accept Precepts

Serial: SF-06031 The talk discusses the importance of accepting Buddhist precepts, framing them as common yet essential elements of practice. It explains the indivisibility of the three precepts and how they embody the unity of the practitioner...
Precepts, Precepts, Big Mind, Buddha Nature, training, Religion, Observe, Priest, Zazen,...
Jul 17 1971
City Center

Seeds of Consciousness: Karma's Framework

Serial: KR-00260 The talk examines the concept of "alaya-vijñāna" or Eighth Consciousness in Buddhism, exploring the role it plays in shaping human life and the world through karmic results. The speaker emphasizes the importance of moral...
American, Karma, Instruction, Consciousness, Culture, Lay, Emotions, Discrimination...
Jul 15 1971

Consciousness Unbound: Embracing Neutral Freedom

Serial: KR-00265 The talk explores the Buddhist concept of consciousness, particularly focusing on the eight consciousnesses, including alaya consciousness and its karmic implications. It discusses the idea that human life, while influenced by...
Consciousness, Attachment, Evil, confusion, American, Passions, Beginners, Ceremony, Community...
Jul 13 1971

Unified Essence, Diverse Realities

Serial: KR-00259 The talk explores the Zen concept of "one and the same essence," referring to the interconnectedness and individuality of all beings, akin to diverse plants drawing sustenance from the same water. The emphasis is on liberation,...
Consciousness, Offering, Intention, Beginners, difficulty
Jul 10 1971

Manifested Three Treasures

Serial: SR-00215 The talk explores the concept of the Three Treasures in Buddhism—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—and their manifestations as existing both indivisibly and as perceived figures and teachings after Shakyamuni Buddha. The focus is on...
Precepts, Precepts, Emptiness, Priest, Anger, American, Sangha, lecture, Enemies, Hate,...
Jul 06 1971
City Center

Bridging Wisdom: Buddhism Meets Christianity

Serial: KR-00257 The talk explores the challenging endeavor of reconciling the philosophical differences between Buddhism and Christianity, particularly regarding their existential and metaphysical frameworks. Emphasis is placed on the importance...
Monastic Practice, Lotus Sutra, Instruction, Culture, Ceremony, American, Mahayana, Ego,...
Jul 06 1971

Real Precepts Are Beyond Words

Serial: SR-00216 The talk explores the Zen concept of precepts, distinguishing them from traditional prohibitory rules like the Ten Commandments. Instead, Zen precepts are understood as a comprehensive practice of zazen, embodying the non-...
Precepts, Precepts, reality, Observe, Freedom, sitting, Emptiness, Sangha, Duality, Karma,...
Jul 02 1971
City Center

Transiency and Tranquility Through Mindfulness

Serial: KR-00256 The talk explores the concept of "dhamma" as the underlying truth of existence, focusing on the laws of transiency and its impact on human life. It emphasizes the importance of living according to egolessness and perceiving the...
Constancy, Ego, Evil, Posture, Nirvana, Religion, Hate, Building
Jul 02 1971

Ego's Illusion and Mindful Growth

Serial: KR-00254 The talk explores the concept of ego and the notion of mindfulness in Zen practice, illustrated through the anecdote of a Zen master who isolates for meditation and experiences a lapse characterized by the illusion of receiving...
Monastic Practice, Mindfulness, Buddha Nature, Enthusiasm, Posture, Ego, training, Meditation...
Jul 1971

Embracing Impermanence for Vibrant Living

Serial: KR-00253 This talk explores the concept of impermanence through a dialogue between Buddha and his disciple Sona. The discussion emphasizes understanding impermanence as a source of suffering but not as a pessimistic doctrine. It suggests...
Impermanence, Attachment, Intention, Ego, stubbornness, Passions, Breath, Happiness, confusion...
Jun 26 1971

Swirling Waters of Impermanence

Serial: KR-00255 This talk delves into the impermanence of life as explained by the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, using the metaphor of the Ganga River's swirling waters to illustrate the constant change and lack of substantiality in human...
Consciousness, Ceremony, Attachment, Buddha Nature, Impermanence, Conversation, Enemies, Ego,...
Jun 24 1971

Purely Involved Helping Others

Serial: SR-00173 The talk emphasizes the integration of Zen practice into everyday life, focusing on the bodhisattva vow to help others. The discussion contrasts the non-discriminating perception in zazen with the discriminating actions required...
Nansen, things-as-it-is, Discrimination, Ummon, Bodhisattva Vow, Bodhisattva Vow, Wisdom,...
Jun 22 1971
City Center

Embracing Impermanence Through Buddhist Insight

Serial: KR-00250 The talk centers on understanding the nature of human existence through the lens of Buddhism, particularly as expressed in the Lotus Sutra and Dogen Zenji's teachings. It emphasizes the transient nature of all beings and the...
Attachment, Buddha Nature, Nirvana, Lotus Sutra, Commitment, Community, training, Evil,...
Jun 22 1971

Sewing Sesshin

Serial: SR-00122 Sunday, June 20, 1971 Sesshin Lecture No. ____ San Francisco The lecture from June 20, 1971, discusses the significance of the okesa and rakusu in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing that they are not merely symbolic apparel but embody the dharma itself. A core teaching highlighted is that proper...
Sesshin, Okesa, Dogen, Attachment, New Year, Freedom, Bodhidharma, Lay, Concentration, Zazen,...
Jun 20 1971
City Center

Interconnected Enlightenment: A Universal Awakening

Serial: KR-00252 The talk introduces Chapter 5 of the Lord's Sutra, highlighting Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings that emphasize the interconnectedness of all beings and the universal presence of Buddha nature in both humans and all sentient beings...
Precepts, Perfect Wisdom, Religion, Demons, Offering, Interview, lecture, American...
Jun 20 1971

Sewing and Wearing the Buddhist Robes and How It Relates to Our Practice

Serial: 71-06-19 Saturday, June 19, 1971 San Francisco Zendo -
Dogen, Soto Zen,
Jun 19 1971
City Center

Unveiling Buddha Nature in Daily Life

Serial: KR-00251 The talk explores the significance of the Lotus Sutra in Buddhism, emphasizing its universal applicability beyond specific Buddhist schools through Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings. Special attention is given to the metaphor in...
Lotus Sutra, Happiness, difficulty, Buddha Nature, Oneness, Breath, Lay, realization, Hate...
Jun 17 1971

Precepts as Original Nature

Serial: SR-00121 The talk emphasizes the intrinsic nature of precepts, arguing that they are inherent to human nature rather than imposed or solely dictated by religious doctrine. It highlights the universality and fundamental presence of...
Precepts, Bodhidharma, Precepts, Concentration, Building, Posture, New Year, Bodhidharma,...
Jun 12 1971
City Center

Freedom from Everything

Serial: SR-00150 Sesshin Lecture, Day 5Wednesday, June 9, 1971San Francisco The talk centers on the practice of zazen, specifically shikantaza, and emphasizes the importance of approaching it with seriousness and sincerity. It explores themes such as detachment, the integration of practice into everyday...
Sesshin, Happiness, Demons, Precepts, Perfect Wisdom, Attachment, New Year, zen, Zazen, Wisdom...
Jun 09 1971
City Center

Calmness of Mind

Serial: SR-00151 Sesshin Lecture No. 2 Sunday, June 7, 1971 San Francisco Practice is to expose yourself as you are, express yourself fully. Accepting your teacher's words. Zen Center practice community offering mutual support for practice. The talk focuses on the essence of Zen practice, emphasizing Shikantaza or "just sitting," and the continuous practice of true self-expression without expectations. It describes living in each transient unit of time and...
Sesshin, Zazen, Breath, Community, Emptiness, Priest, Pain, Community, heart, Hate, zen, Death...
Jun 07 1971
City Center

Okesa Ceremony

Serial: SR-00146 Ceremony of the okesa: chanting the fascicle Shobogenzo Kesa Kudoku; ten virtues of the okesa. What is practice of zazen and practice of the okesa. Truth is beyond priest or layperson. Acknowledging Yoshida Roshi. The talk discusses the ceremony of the okesa, emphasizing the ten virtues of this sacred garment as recorded in Dogen Zenji's "Shobogenzo Kesa Kudoku." The okesa's virtues are explored in detail, highlighting its transformative...
Priest, Ceremony, Okesa, Zazen, Dragons, Priest, Greed, Demons, Gratitude, Happiness, American...
Jun 06 1971
City Center

The Teaching Just for You

Serial: SR-00147 Sesshin Lecture No. 1 Saturday, June 5, 1971 San Francisco The talk examines the dual understanding of Zen practice, focusing on the concept of "just to sit." While practice traditionally aims for improvement over time, the true essence is experiencing the goal in each moment rather than...
Sesshin, Precepts, Dragons, Bodhidharma, Truth, sitting, Buddha Nature, Politics, Transmission...
Jun 05 1971
City Center

Embracing Life's Circle Through Zen

Serial: KR-00296 The central theme of the talk revolves around understanding and applying the essence of Zen practice through mindfulness and intentionality, specifically through the metaphor of a circle and the concept of ‘opportunity’ or ‘kien...
Attachment, lecture, Liberation, Lay, Ceremony, Meditation
Jun 01 1971

Eyes of Insight: Beyond Perception

Serial: KR-00297 This talk explores the concept of the "five eyes" in Buddhism, as presented in the Daichi-doron Sutra: the physical eye, heavenly eye, wisdom eye, Dharma eye, and Buddha eye. The talk emphasizes the limitations and scope of each...
Hindrances, Happiness, Suffering, Attachment, Discrimination, Building, Offering, realization...
Jun 1971

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