Engage Wisdom Alpha Archive

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Title Speaker Date

Eternal Practice: Dogen's Path to Wisdom

Serial: KR-00281 The talk delves into Dogen's concept of Gyoji, emphasizing the maintenance of Buddhist practice through religious awakening, active practice, and self-realization, which in Buddhism equates to wisdom. It discusses the nature of...
realization, Consciousness, Buddha Nature, Nirvana
Nov 25 1971

Endless Circle of Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00280 The talk focuses on Dogen Zenji's introduction of the concept of Gyoji in his writings, emphasizing practice and the continuous path of realization. The discussion highlights the importance of Gyoji as the full essence of...
Nirvana, Ceremony, Bell, realization, Suffering, Pain
Nov 12 1971

Reviving Authentic Zen Practices

Serial: KR-00279 The talk examines the Shuso ceremony in Zen Buddhism, particularly focusing on its evolution and substantive practices. The discussion contrasts traditional practices that emphasize genuine Zen training with modern approaches...
Ceremony, training, lecture, Dragons, Mahayana, Building, confusion, Funeral, Tassajara Zen...
Nov 05 1971

Gyoji: Practice in Action

Serial: KR-00278 The talk focuses on the concept of "gyoji," which is translated as "action" or "deed" in the context of religious practice, drawing on Dogen's teachings. The talk emphasizes that gyoji is akin to a teacher guiding students in...
Nov 02 1971

Wholehearted Presence in Everyday Life

Serial: KR-00064 This talk explores the concept of Shikantaza, as interpreted by Dogen Zenji, emphasizing non-attachment to cultural or sectarian ideas in Buddhist practice. It discusses the integration of mindfulness and awareness in daily life...
Concentration, Mahayana, Samadhi, Instruction, Beginners, Posture, Attachment, lecture...
Oct 26 1971

Blossoming Enlightenment Through Transience

Serial: KR-00277 The talk explores the concept of Shobo Genzo Nehan Myoshin as transmitted by Shakyamuni Buddha to his disciple Kshapa, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the flower of Udumbara and its implications for enlightenment and human...
Community, Compassion, Funeral, Emotions, Ceremony, training, Pain, Building...
Oct 22 1971

Talking To His Disciples About His Illness

Serial: SR-00186 Sunday, October 9, 1971In His Room, City Center, San Francisco In the discussion, the theme revolves around an individual sharing updates about their health diagnosis and reflections on life. The individual humorously identifies as a "lazy monk" while explaining a recent shift in...
Cancer, Teacher-and-Student, Monks
Oct 09 1971
City Center

Breaking Self-Centered Chains of Suffering

Serial: KR-00062 The talk examines the concept of bigotry and stubbornness as causes of suffering, drawing on interpretations from Buddhist texts and the Old Testament to illustrate the tendency of self-centeredness in human behavior. The...
Precepts, stubbornness, Four Noble Truths, Observe, Pain, Mindfulness, Tassajara Zen Mountain...
Oct 03 1971

Transcending Ego: Path to Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00061 The talk addresses the concepts of stubbornness and self-centeredness (Jūsō) as the sources of suffering, using Zen, Buddhist teachings, and biblical narratives to illustrate these points. The discussion emphasizes the futility...
Precepts, stubbornness, Four Noble Truths, Observe, Pain, Mindfulness, Greed, Patience, Anger...
Oct 03 1971

Breaking the Chains of Illusion

Serial: KR-00059 The talk addresses the essential Buddhist teaching of the Four Noble Truths, emphasizing the inevitability and universality of suffering, its roots in illusion and ignorance, and the practice of the Eightfold Path as a mechanism...
Four Noble Truths, stubbornness, Suffering, Soto Zen, Instruction, Nirvana, difficulty,...
Oct 02 1971

Embracing Suffering Through Zen Awareness

Serial: KR-00060 The talk focuses on the Four Noble Truths, introduced by Shakyamuni Buddha post-enlightenment, highlighting how all existence is suffering, caused by illusion and ignorance, and explores the path to cessation through the...
stubbornness, Suffering, Four Noble Truths, Soto Zen, Instruction, Posture, Nirvana,...
Oct 02 1971

Frames of Presence in Zen

Serial: KR-00045 The talk discusses the concept of transiency and the importance of staying in the present moment in Zen practice, using a metaphor of a film to illustrate how the present is a continuously moving moment, much like film frames in...
Right Speech, Right Effort, Silence, Mindfulness, Hate, Balance, Patience, Concentration,...
Oct 1971

Zen Now: Embrace Present Purity

Serial: KR-00063 This talk explores the complexity of reality, emphasizing the importance of understanding the concept of the present moment within Zen Buddhism. The focus is on vivifying the present by detaching from speculative thoughts about...
Birth-and-Death, Consciousness, difficulty, American, Building
Oct 1971

Present Moment: Embracing Zen Emptiness

Serial: KR-00044 The talk explores the nature of the present moment in Zen philosophy, emphasizing its transient and empty nature. The discourse delves into the concept of "suffering" as understood in Buddhism, highlighting it as an inherent...
Bell, Suffering, Four Noble Truths, Building, stubbornness, Samadhi, Patience, Nirvana,...
Oct 1971

Embracing Reality: Beyond Speculation

Serial: KR-00310 The talk discusses the intricate nature of reality through the lens of Buddhist psychology and Zen Buddhism. It explores the concept of the present moment, characterized as fleeting and sandwiched between the past and future,...
Birth-and-Death, Consciousness, difficulty, Building, Culture, Religion, American...
Oct 1971

Embracing Flow: Zen's Middle Way

Serial: KR-00058 The talk explores themes central to Zen Buddhism, focusing on the concept of the middle way and its implications for understanding life, death, and practice. It emphasizes Dogen Zenji's quest to reconcile the idea of Buddha...
Buddha Nature, Soto Zen, Diversity, Composure, American, Chanting, confusion, Ceremony,...
Sep 28 1971

Embracing Stillness Amid Life's Flux

Serial: KR-00275 The talk delves into the practice of Zen, particularly the concept of "Jhana" as both stillness and deep contemplation, emphasizing the dynamic presence in stillness. It highlights Dogen's teaching on understanding life's...
Birth-and-Death, Posture, Constancy, Hate, Precepts, Breath, Happiness, Meditation, lecture,...
Sep 23 1971

Awakening Here and Now

Serial: KR-00276 The talk explores the concept of true enlightenment, emphasizing its completeness and independence from external conditions, as exemplified in the quote from Ryōka Daishi. A key theme is the futility of looking for purpose beyond...
Precepts, Silence, Suffering, Bell, Delusion, Zendo, Obstacles, Dragons, Anger, Concentration...
Sep 23 1971

Snails and the Illusion of Self

Serial: KR-00274 The talk explores the transient nature of enlightenment and identity through the metaphor of a snail and its horns, challenged by conventional titles and distinctions such as "Sensei" and "Roshi". It emphasizes the futility of...
Constancy, Birth-and-Death, Delusion, lecture, Emotions, Ceremony, Evil, American...
Sep 22 1971

Sangaku: Path to Inner Freedom

Serial: KR-00057 The talk discusses the Buddhist concept of freedom from personal suffering through the practice of Sangaku, which comprises three types of learning: precepts, tranquility, and wisdom. It emphasizes understanding the reality of...
Evil, Precepts, Concentration, Mahayana, Breath, Happiness, Hate, Suffering, Consciousness...
Sep 21 1971

Transcending Self through Zen Awakening

Serial: KR-00272 The talk emphasizes the concept of understanding life and self through the Zen Buddhist perspective, focusing on the idea that what is often considered 'self' must be overcome and transcended. It describes a personal narrative of...
American, Commitment, Intention
Sep 20 1971

Embracing Life's Sacred Connection

Serial: KR-00271 The talk explores the intrinsic connection between human beings and the essence of life, emphasizing that this connection persists regardless of one's understanding or circumstances. The discussion includes reflections on the...
Ordination
Sep 19 1971

Siddha: Embracing Life's Paradoxes

Serial: KR-00270 The talk explores the philosophical implications of life’s challenges, specifically focusing on human suffering, pleasure, and the meaningful purpose of life as understood through Buddhist teachings. It addresses the paradox of...
Gratitude
Sep 18 1971

Finding Purpose Through Inner Truth

Serial: KR-00312 The talk explores the concept of finding purpose in life through Buddhist teachings, particularly focusing on the idea of realizing one's true self and truth within oneself. It examines the Buddhist approach to life through the...
Karma, Enthusiasm, Hate, Bowing, Beginners, Happiness, lecture, American
Sep 17 1971

Unveiling Freedom through Renunciation

Serial: KR-00056 The talk explores the profound concept of Buddha nature, emphasizing that emancipation from delusion is achievable through fully committing to Buddha's order, specifically through practicing "Shukke" (monastic renunciation). The...
Precepts, Sangha, Observe, Composure, Buddha Nature, Three Treasures, Suffering, Building,...
Sep 11 1971

Embracing Transience Through Zen Living

Serial: KR-00055 The talk explores Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the concepts of transiency and conditioned origination as described in Dogen Zenji's "Shobo Genzo." It discusses how the reality of life, Buddha nature, and practices like Zazen should...
Buddha Nature, Birth-and-Death, Pain, Building, Instruction, Discrimination, Suffering,...
Aug 31 1971

Embodied Compassion Through Zen Precepts

Serial: KR-00054 The talk discusses the ordination ceremony and the commitment to the Bodhisattva precepts. Participants vow to observe the three collective pure precepts and the ten great prohibitive precepts, drawing inspiration from Shakyamuni...
Precepts, Observe, Three Treasures, Evil, Dragons, Continuous Practice, Lay
Aug 28 1971

Epistemology of Emptiness Unveiled

Serial: KR-00053 The main thesis of the talk explores the Buddhist approach to understanding and interacting with the world through an epistemological lens rather than a scientific or ontological one. This method emphasizes perceiving phenomena...
American, Hindrances, Interdependence, Culture
Aug 24 1971

Wherever You Are, We Have Zen Way Of Practice

Serial: SR-00101 The talk explores the universal application of Zen practice beyond specific locations like Tassajara or city zendos, emphasizing that Zen practice encompasses every aspect of life, everywhere, not just in traditionally defined...
Dogen, Shobogenzo, Genjokoan, Suffering, Pain, Don't Know Mind, Happiness, Freedom,...
Aug 21 1971
City Center

Why We Must Have Rules

Serial: SR-00177 In this exploration of the tensions between structured practice and intrinsic nature within Zen Buddhism, the focus is drawn to how rules and regulations pertain to the actualization of buddha-nature. The discourse delves into...
First Principle, Big Mind, Family Practice, Bell, Breath, lecture, Sutra, Observe...
Aug 17 1971
Tassajara

Wind Stops, But Still Flower Falls

Serial: SR-00163 This audio has been improved, so more of the students' questions may be discernible. The talk delves into the Zen understanding of existence and non-existence using the metaphor of natural elements such as wind, flowers, and birds to illustrate the Zen concept of "there is" and "there is not....
Ummon, Faith, Freedom, reality, Dragons, Community, Emptiness, Wisdom, Building, American,...
Aug 15 1971
Tassajara

Finding the Absolute Within Zen

Serial: KR-00046 This talk focuses on the exploration of the "True Self" and the concept of the Absolute, as seen in Buddhism through figures like Shakyamuni Buddha and Dogen, with parallels drawn to Christian understandings of God. The speaker...
Breath, Buddha Mind, Delusion, Addiction, Concentration, Building
Aug 14 1971

Speciality and Equality.

Serial: SR-00161 In this talk, the concept of "speciality" versus "equality" is explored within the context of constant change. The notion that speciality refers to the distinct purpose or reason for each entity's...
First Principle, Freedom, Baizhang, Death, Bell, Building, reality
Aug 13 1971
Tassajara

Embracing the Ephemeral Now

Serial: KR-00052 The talk delves into the nature of transiency, focusing on two key points: the element of 'uncontinuity' and the essence of transcendence. It explores how transiency is a universal truth shared by all beings, highlighted through...
Consciousness, Zendo, Building, Discrimination
Aug 13 1971

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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