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Emptiness Talks

Śūnyatā ( shoon-yə-TAH; Sanskrit: शून्यता; Pali: suññatā), translated most often as "emptiness", "vacuity", and sometimes "voidness", or "nothingness" is an Indian philosophical concept. In Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, and other Indian philosophical traditions, the concept has multiple meanings depending on its doctrinal context. It is either an ontological feature of reality, a meditative state, or a phenomenological analysis of experience.
In Theravāda Buddhism, Pali: suññatā often refers to the non-self (Pāli: anattā, Sanskrit: anātman) nature of the five aggregates of experience and the six sense spheres. Pali: Suññatā is also often used to refer to a meditative state or experience.
In Mahāyāna Buddhism, śūnyatā refers to the tenet that "all things are empty of intrinsic existence and nature (svabhava)", but may also refer to the Buddha-nature teachings and primordial or empty awareness, as in Dzogchen, Shentong, or Chan.
Title | Speaker | |
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Monasticism: A Universal Heart QuestSerial: NC-00144 Rule of Benedict Novice Class # 2 - 1990s OSB Cam, Duality, Emptiness, Oneness, Buddhism |
Jan 21 1999 |
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Sunday Lecture Anger, Book of Serenity, Karma, Precepts, Evil, Duality, Emptiness, Offering, Fasting... |
Oct 04 1998 Green Gulch |
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Spring SesshinSerial: SF-02728 Thursday Emptiness, Zazen, uchiyama, Letting Go, Anger, Suzuki Roshi, Instruction |
Mar 26 1998 Unknown |
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Sunday Lecture Precepts, Emptiness, Offering, Bodhisattva Precepts, New Year, Observe, Ceremony,... |
Jan 04 1998 Green Gulch |
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The Kingdom in Parables: IntroductionSerial: NC-00063 Part of "The Kingdom in Parables: New Testament, Cosmology and Contemporary Poetry" 1. The Kingdom in Parables: Introduction Archival Photo OSB Cam, Emptiness, Compassion |
1998 1 of 4 New Camaldoli Hermitage |
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December 4th, 1997, Serial No. 02884 Karma, Emptiness, Bodhidharma |
Dec 04 1997 |
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Scholarship Conference PaperSerial: SF-03238 Sunday Lecture Heart Sutra, Lineage, Platform Sutra, Soto Zen, Religion, Study Period, Emptiness,... |
Nov 16 1997 Green Gulch |
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One-day Sitting Lecture Manjushri, Bodhisattva Precepts, Precepts, Blue Cliff Record, Sangha, Practice Period... |
Nov 15 1997 Green Gulch |
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Precepts ClassSerial: SF-03532 Brief Review of Class 1 - the Three Refuges Precepts, Emptiness, Three Treasures, Bodhisattva Precepts, Vow, Buddha Nature,... |
Oct 27 1997 Green Gulch |
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Chao Chou's Four GatesSerial: SF-03239 Sunday Lecture: case 9 of the Blue Cliff Record: "What is Chao Chou?" "East gate, west gate, south gate, north gate" Practice Period, Ordinary Mind, Buddha Nature, Blue Cliff Record, Suzuki Roshi,... |
Oct 19 1997 Green Gulch |
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Majjhima Nikaya ClassSerial: SF-03195 Middle-length Discourses Attachment, Addiction, Mindfulness, confusion, Four Noble Truths, Emptiness, Zazen,... |
Oct 14 1997 Green Gulch |
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Genjo Koan workshop resistance, Emotions, Daily Life, Passions, Emptiness, Interview, Instruction,... |
Jun 15 1997 Green Gulch |
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Poetry of EnlightenmentSerial: SF-00071 Class realization, Emptiness, Dragons, Balance, Bell, Priest, Emotions, Freedom, Doubt... |
Feb 04 1997 1 |
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Song of Jewel Mirror SamadhiSerial: SF-00072 5:00 class Buddha Ancestors, Four Noble Truths, Absolute-and-Relative, Emptiness, Samadhi,... |
Feb 04 1997 |
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Be Completely Who You AreSerial: SF-02709B Rohatsu Sesshin Emptiness, Suzuki Roshi, Happiness, Anger, Emotions, Zazen, Ceremony |
Dec 05 1996 Unknown |
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Just Die On ExhalationSerial: SF-02709A Rohatsu Sesshin "(a keeper)" Emptiness, Birth-and-Death, Letting Go, Composure, Bodhidharma, Impermanence, Posture... |
Dec 04 1996 Unknown |
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Sandokai Class Evil, Religion, Funeral, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Discrimination, Suzuki Roshi... |
Nov 25 1996 Green Gulch |
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Effort - While You're Already Perfect Heart Sutra, Suzuki Roshi, Emptiness, realization, Precepts, Passions, Right Effort,... |
Nov 13 1996 Unknown |
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Sandokai Class Oneness, Darkness and Light, Practice Period, Separation, Karma, Emptiness, Politics... |
Nov 13 1996 Green Gulch |
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Jewel Mirror Samadhi Class Five Ranks, Delusion, Absolute-and-Relative, Attachment, Emptiness, Soto Zen, Right... |
Oct 03 1996 Green Gulch |
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Awakening Compassion Through Non-DualitySerial: SF-00084 Wednesday talk. Patience, Suzuki Roshi, Emptiness, Letting Go, confusion, Demons, Absolute-and-... |
Sep 11 1996 Green Gulch Farm |
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Lotus Sutra Class Lotus Sutra, Nirvana, Evil, Manjushri, Dragons, Vow, Buddha Nature, Emptiness,... |
May 23 1996 Green Gulch |
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Lotus Sutra Class Lotus Sutra, Nirvana, Emptiness, Offering, Four Noble Truths, Birth-and-Death,... |
May 21 1996 Green Gulch |
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Breathing Intimacy: Zen's Path to Self Suzuki Roshi, Emptiness, Intimacy, Zazen, Birth-and-Death, Zazen Mind, Dharma... |
Apr 24 1996 Unknown |
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Old Age, Sickness and DeathSerial: SF-03633 One-day sitting - Katagiri in Returning To Silence - Three kinds of thirsting desire Two Truths, Four Noble Truths, Emptiness, Funeral, Zazen, Continuous Practice,... |
Apr 20 1996 Green Gulch |
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Sunday LectureSerial: SF-03636 Cassette side B is labeled for a Sunday talk by Tenshin Reb Anderson on the same date - incorrect Practice Period, Ordination, Perfect Wisdom, Zendo, Emptiness, Ceremony, Monastic... |
Mar 24 1996 Green Gulch |
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Prajna Paramita Class Emptiness, Perfect Wisdom, Heart Sutra, Ego, Faith, realization, Lotus Sutra, Nirvana... |
Feb 27 1996 Unknown |
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1996, Serial No. 02848 Karma, Evil, Emptiness |
1996 |
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December 20th, 1995, Serial No. 02826 Emptiness, Liberation, Describe |
Dec 20 1995 |
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The Greater Discourse and the Destruction of CravingSerial: SF-03231 Sunday Lecture Anger, Silence, Letting Go, Bell, Happiness, confusion, Suzuki Roshi, Bodhisattva... |
Nov 19 1995 Green Gulch |
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Women in Buddhism Class Emptiness, Balance, Liberation, Nirvana, Lay, Heart Sutra, Religion, Mahayana, Birth-... |
Nov 06 1995 Unknown |
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Sunday LectureSerial: SF-03626 Our practice and our efforts that we make towards peace within ourselves and within our lives Practice Period, Birth-and-Death, Karma, Emptiness, Giving-and-Taking, Zazen,... |
Nov 05 1995 Green Gulch |
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Embracing Oneness Through Zen Presence Hsin Hsin Ming, Composure, Emotions, Suzuki Roshi, Faith, Daily Life, Hate, Zazen,... |
Oct 25 1995 Unknown |
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Causes and ConditionsSerial: SF-03660 One-day sitting Emptiness, Posture, Book of Serenity, Subject-and-Object, realization, Buddha Nature... |
Oct 14 1995 Green Gulch |
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BodhidharmaSerial: SF-03627 Sunday Lecture Forgiveness, Three Treasures, Mindfulness, Bodhidharma, Emptiness, Precepts, Blue... |
Oct 01 1995 Green Gulch |
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Gospels Unveiled: Wisdom's JourneySerial: NC-00286 New Testament Class OSB Cam, Emptiness, Thoroughness, Patience, Compassion, Money |
Sep 20 1995 |
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Putting Our Effort Into SittingSerial: SF-03607 One-day sitting realization, Posture, Mindfulness, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Emptiness, Harmonizing,... |
Sep 16 1995 Green Gulch |
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Wholeness in Creative Connection Practice, Zazen, Emptiness |
Jul 26 1995 Unknown |
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Shantideva ClassSerial: SF-03203 Practice of Wisdom Interdependence, Emotions, Attachment, Emptiness, Zazen, Posture, Ego, Obstacles,... |
May 23 1995 Unknown |
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Embracing Constancy in Buddhist Practice Hate, Suzuki Roshi, Repentance, Constancy, Sangha, Practice Period, Tassajara Zen... |
Feb 22 1995 |
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The Idea of a Taoist Sage and Gospel Parallels / Taoist Metaphysical Vision and the Christian Concept of GodSerial: NC-00011 Session 1 & 2 of "Trinity and Tao: Christian and Taoist Spirituality" Talk 1: The Idea of a Taoist Sage and Gospel Parallels Talk 2: Taoist... OSB Cam, First Principle, Enlightenment, Darkness and Light, Breath, Emptiness... |
1995 1 of 2 New Camaldoli Hermitage |
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Celibacy's Transformative Role in MonasticismSerial: NC-00131 Rule of Benedict Novice Class # 1 - 1990s OSB Cam, Emptiness, Pain, Oneness, Vow, Commitment |
1995 |
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Christ, the Poets and the PersonSerial: NC-00047 Part of "The Awakening Self: The New Testament and the Poets" retreat. Archival Photo OSB Cam, Poetry, First Principle, realization, Buddhism, Emptiness |
1995 1 of 4 New Camaldoli Hermitage |
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Taoist Meditation Practice and the Hesychast Tradition / "Stillness-Contemplation": Lao Tzu, Evagrius, EckhartSerial: NC-00012 Session 3 & 4 of "Trinity and Tao: Christian and Taoist Spirituality" Talk 3: Taoist Meditation Practice and the Hesychast Tradition Talk 4: "... OSB Cam, Emptiness, Observe, Posture, Buddhism, Enlightenment |
1995 2 of 2 New Camaldoli Hermitage |
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Heart Sutra: Setting the SceneSerial: BZ-00952B Skandas and Emptiness, Rohatsu Day 4 Heart Sutra, Skandas, Emptiness, Heart Sutra, Four Noble Truths, Non-duality, Samadhi... |
Dec 07 1994 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Wednesday Lecture training, Practice Period, Heart Sutra, Subject-and-Object, Posture, Instruction,... |
Nov 30 1994 Green Gulch |
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Contemplative PrayerSerial: NC-01098 Contemplative Prayer Class OSB Cam, Emptiness, Renunciation, Obstacles, Fasting |
Aug 02 1994 9 of 11 New Camaldoli Hermitage |
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Contemplative PrayerSerial: NC-00881 Contemplative Prayer Class OSB Cam, Monastic Practice, Emptiness, Darkness and Light |
May 31 1994 3 of 11 New Camaldoli Hermitage |
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Sunday LectureSerial: SF-03675 Includes Q&A and discussion Big Mind, Emptiness, Bell, Heart Sutra, Four Noble Truths, Instruction, Zazen,... |
Mar 13 1994 Green Gulch |
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Madyamika/Yogachara Schools of Emptiness/SynthesisSerial: BZ-00964A Three Bodies of Buddha pt. II, Sesshin Day 2 Madyamika, Trikaya, Emptiness, Yogachara, Religion, Emotions, Karma, Sixth Patriarch... |
Mar 13 1994 Berkeley Zen Center |