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Koan Talks
A kōan ( KOH-a(h)n; Japanese: 公案; Chinese: 公案; pinyin: gōng'àn [kʊ́ŋ ân]; Korean: 화두; Vietnamese: công án) is a story, dialogue, question, or statement from Chinese Chan Buddhist lore, supplemented with commentaries, that is used in Zen Buddhist practice in different ways. The main goal of kōan practice in Zen is to achieve kenshō (Chinese: jianxing 見性), to see or observe one's buddha-nature.
Extended study of kōan literature as well as meditation (zazen) on a kōan is a major feature of modern Rinzai Zen. They are also studied in the Sōtō school of Zen to a lesser extent. In Chinese Chan and Korean Seon Buddhism, meditating on a huatou, a key phrase of a kōan, is also a major Zen meditation method.
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Zen Meditation on the Great Flower Adornment Scripture, Class 1In this series of meetings, we will study and see how Zen is the key unlocking the innumerable meanings of this oceanic scripture. We will also explore how the sutra opens and illuminates our simple... #YRB-2023-Fall, Lotus Sutra, Practice Period, Diversity, Heart Sutra, Koan |
Oct 03 2023 1 of 8 The Yoga Room |
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Practice Awakened: Zen's Unified Path Separation, Observe, Koan |
Jan 2022 |
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After Generations Of Nobility, Temporarily Fallen Into PovertyBuddha nature. Story about Uncle Mi and Dongshan discussing a rabbit crossing the road.Lotus Sutra story about the destitute child. Enlightenment and delusion. Human agency (or training) and... Buddha Nature, Koan, Enlightenment, |
Jun 08 2019 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Compassion is a ConversationA conversation is what we are doing together. Buddhas are sitting upright and still, in the midst of everything, having a conversation with silence. The story of his Nanchuan and his sickle. Meeting... Compassion, Global Warming, Koan, Global Warming, Stillness, Ceremony |
Sep 15 2018 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #1Case 67 of the Book of Serenity; there is not a single sentient being who does not fully possess the wisdom of the enlightened mind. Flower Adornment Sutra, Koan, Book of Serenity, Book of Serenity, Forgiveness, Buddha... |
Apr 14 2018 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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April 3rd, 2018, Serial No. 04426 Nirvana, Koan, Poetry |
Apr 03 2018 |
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The Teaching of the Buddha’s Whole LifetimeYunmen's appropriate response; being Buddha right where you are: Master Ma being ready to die; Koan, Mindfulness, Delusion, Nirvana |
Aug 05 2017 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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I always think of Hunan in SpringBodhisattva Vow, Koan, Perfection of Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, japanese, Sangha,... |
Apr 12 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Good Friendship of Shitou, Matsu and YaoshanShitou, Mazu, Yaoshan, Koan, Teacher-and-Student, Perfect Wisdom, Manjushri, Karmic... |
Feb 01 2014 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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The Work of Going Beyond BuddhaRealization in the body Observe, Koan, Mill Valley, Zazen |
Sep 21 2013 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Chick and Hen -- Inquiring and RespondingChick and Hen -- Inquiring and Responding Karmic consciousness. Living beings live in a story-telling world. That’s where... Karmic Consciousness, Koan, Lineage, Vimalakirti |
Jul 01 2012 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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December 6th, 2011, Serial No. 03910 Koan, Yakusan, Precious Mirror |
Dec 06 2011 |
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Xiang Yan hears the sound of stones striking bamboo Duality, Blue Cliff Record, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Koan, Commitment |
Sep 10 2011 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Stories Intimacy, Koan, Interview, difficulty, Zendo |
Apr 28 2011 The Yoga Room |
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April 28th, 2011, Serial No. 03843 Intimacy, Koan, Interview |
Apr 28 2011 |
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Zen Stories Koan, Attachment, Zendo, Mahayana |
Apr 14 2011 The Yoga Room |
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April 14th, 2011, Serial No. 03839 Koan, Time, Wisdom |
Apr 14 2011 |
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Zen Stories Koan, Manjushri, Separation, Buddha Ancestors, Conversation |
Apr 07 2011 The Yoga Room |
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April 7th, 2011, Serial No. 03838 Meditation, Koan, Intention |
Apr 07 2011 |
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Zen Stories Lineage, Koan, Intimacy, Mahayana, japanese |
Mar 17 2011 The Yoga Room |
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March 17th, 2011, Serial No. 03834 Koan, Name, Study |
Mar 17 2011 |
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Zen Stories Koan, Lineage, Silence, Zenki, Letting Go |
Mar 10 2011 The Yoga Room |
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March 10th, 2011, Serial No. 03833 Koan, Silence, Stillness |
Mar 10 2011 |
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The Unique Breeze of Reality and the Wondrous Function of Non-Dual Wisdom Emptiness, Faith, Koan, Lotus Sutra, Separation |
Aug 14 2010 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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The Unique Breeze of Reality and the Wondrous Function of Non-Dual Wisdom Emptiness, Precepts, Bodhisattva Precepts, Koan, Karmic Consciousness |
Aug 14 2010 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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October 19th, 2009, Serial No. 03683 Precepts, Karmic Consciousness, Koan |
Oct 19 2009 |
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Dizang's Weakness: Case 20, Book of Serenity; Serial No. 01162Serial: BZ-01162 Saturday talk Koan, Dizang, SER-20, Intimacy, Gratitude, Teacher-and-Student, Heart Sutra, Nirvana... |
Oct 04 2008 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Entering and Embodying Truth Suzuki Roshi, Koan, Community, Sangha, Evil |
Jul 22 2008 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Justice Through Stillness Stillness, Community, Koan |
Jul 22 2008 |
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June 7th, 2008, Serial No. 01137 Discrimination, Five Ranks, Separation, Blue Cliff Record, Impermanence,... |
Jun 07 2008 |
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What Is It That Comes?Serial: BZ-01443 Nangaku Ejo asks Daikan Eno, Sesshin Day 4 Nangaku Ejo, Daikan Eno, Koan, Gaining Mind, Monastic Practice, Practice Period,... |
Jun 23 2007 Berkeley Zen Center |
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This Is ItSerial: BZ-01436A Saturday Lecture Mindfulness, Koan, Karma, Doubt, confusion, Big Mind, Instruction, Religion, Priest,... |
May 19 2007 Berkeley Zen Center |
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December 8th, 2006, Serial No. 03380 Triple Treasure, Repentance, Koan |
Dec 08 2006 |
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The Gift of NothingSerial: SF-00929 Sunday Lecture Children's Lecture: one who is not busy, one reality; the gift of nothing; sesshin, from Suzuki Roshi; our mind is the same as Buddha's; all things are... Buddha's Enlightenment, Sesshin, Koan, Daowu, Keizan, Suzuki Roshi, Nirvana... |
Dec 03 2006 Green Gulch |
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Presence as the Ultimate Koan Koan, Soto Zen, Rinzai |
Aug 20 2006 |
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May 5th, 2005, Serial No. 03231 Pain, Koan, Time |
May 05 2005 |
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April 14th, 2005, Serial No. 03228 Koan, Hate, true dharma |
Apr 14 2005 |
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April 7th, 2005, Serial No. 03227 true dharma, Delusion, Koan |
Apr 07 2005 |
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March 31st, 2005, Serial No. 03226 Koan, true dharma, Gratitude |
Mar 31 2005 |
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Zen Of Business AdministrationSerial: SF-00036 Sunday Talk. Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Interview, Suzuki Roshi, Mill Valley, Daily Life, Koan... |
Mar 20 2005 Green Gulch Farm |
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Zen Generosity: Transformational Giving Suzuki Roshi, Commitment, Practice Period, Koan, Letting Go, Patience, Interview,... |
Feb 19 2005 Unknown |
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2005, Serial No. 03268 Peace, Koan, Interdependence |
2005 |
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"Evo-revolution"Serial: BZ-01242 Working with Our Problems, Saturday Lecture Bodhisattva Vow, Koan, Manjushri, Bodhisattva Ceremony, Buddha Mind, Religion,... |
Aug 28 2004 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Tasting Life's True Essence training, Buddha Nature, Bell, Enthusiasm, Koan |
Jan 19 2004 |
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Bathroom ZenSerial: BZ-01379 One-Day Sitting Daily Life, Monastic Practice, Koan, American, New Year, Culture, Continuous Practice... |
Jan 10 2004 Berkeley Zen Center |
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The Brief Rule of St. RomualdSerial: NC-00051 The Little Rule of Saint Romuald Archival Photo OSB Cam, Romuald, Brief Rule of St. Romuald, zen, Instruction, Money, Koan,... |
2003 1 of 4 New Camaldoli Hermitage |
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Suramgama SutraSerial: BZ-00481 Class 1 of 4 Koan, Don't Know Mind, Buddha Mind, Blue Cliff Record, Manjushri, Birth-and-... |
Aug 22 2002 1 Berkeley Zen Center |
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January 21st, 2002, Serial No. 03043 Samadhi, Koan, Practice |
Jan 21 2002 |
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Mirrors Buddha Nature, Intuition, Culture, Don't Know Mind, Karma, Buddha's... |
Jun 09 2001 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Embracing Direct ExperienceMindfulness, Impermanence, realization, Viewcabulary, Koan, Practice Period,... |
Apr 2001 Day 5 and 6 Crestone Zen Mountain Center |