Koan Talks
A kōan ( KOH-a(h)n; Japanese: 公案; Chinese: 公案; pinyin: gōng'àn [kʊ́ŋ ân]; Korean: 화두, romanized: hwadu; Vietnamese: công án) is a story, dialogue, question, or statement from the Chinese Chan-lore, supplemented with commentaries, that is used in Zen practice to provoke the "great doubt" and initial insight of Zen-students. Prolonged koan-study is intended to shatter small-minded pride of, and identification with, this initial insight, and spurs further development of insight and compassion, and integration thereof in daily life and character.
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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, |
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, |
Apr 14 2018 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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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, |
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, Describe |
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, practicing generosity, Koan, Lineage, Vimalakirti |
Jul 01 2012 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Xiang Yan hears the sound of stones striking bamboo Duality, Blue Cliff Record, Tassajara, 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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Zen Stories Koan, Attachment, Zendo, Mahayana |
Apr 14 2011 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Stories Koan, Manjushri, Separation, Buddha Ancestors, Conversation |
Apr 07 2011 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Stories Lineage, Koan, Intimacy, Mahayana, japanese |
Mar 17 2011 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Stories Koan, Lineage, Silence, Zenki, Letting Go |
Mar 10 2011 The Yoga Room |
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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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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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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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Zen Of Business AdministrationSerial: SF-00036 Sunday Talk. Tassajara, practicing generosity, Interview, Suzuki Roshi, Mill Valley, Daily Life,... |
Mar 20 2005 Green Gulch Farm |
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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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2004.01.19-serial.00212 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, Four... |
Jan 10 2004 Berkeley Zen Center |
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August 22nd, 2002, Serial No. 00481 Don't Know Mind, Buddha Mind, Blue Cliff Record, Manjushri, Birth-and-Death,... |
Aug 22 2002 |
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June 9th, 2001, Serial No. 00103, Side B Buddha Nature, Intuition, Culture, Don't Know Mind, Karma, Buddha's... |
Jun 09 2001 |
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Sun-face Buddha, Moon-face BuddhaSerial: BZ-00123B Saturday Lecture
Buddha, Koan, Buddha Nature, Blue Cliff Record, Thoroughness, Priest, Ordinary Mind,... |
Nov 18 2000 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Failure/SuccessSerial: BZ-00192B Saturday Lecture Ego, Koan, Teacher-and-Student, Bodhidharma, Big Mind |
Aug 21 1999 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Universe As MedicineSerial: BZ-00356B Saturday Lecture Ummon, Koan, Religion, Manjushri, Bell, Sixth Patriarch, Demons, Ego, Attachment,... |
Aug 22 1998 Berkeley Zen Center |
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1998.08.10-serial.00319 Freedom, Letting Go, Hyakujo, Intention, Koan |
Aug 10 1998 |
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Recognizing EnlightenmentSerial: BZ-00322B Saturday Lecture Enlightenment, Koan, Doubt, Obstacles, Constancy, Discrimination, Duality, Buddha... |
Sep 26 1997 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Obaku's Address to the MonksSerial: BZ-00628B There Are No Zen Teachers in This Realm, Sesshin Day 2 Obaku, Koan, training, Non-discrimination, Rinzai, Dragons, Bowing, Bell, American... |
Sep 05 1993 Berkeley Zen Center |
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1992.11.08-serial.00173 Priest, Buddha Nature, Silence, Hate, Koan |
Nov 08 1992 |
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1992.11.08-serial.00243 Silence, Priest, Buddha Nature, Hate, Koan |
Nov 08 1992 |
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Sun Faced Buddha/Moon Faced BuddhaSerial: BZ-00505A Saturday Lecture Buddha, Koan, Subject-and-Object, Buddha Nature, Constancy, First Principle, Observe... |
May 19 1990 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Mind Refresher CakesSerial: BZ-00376A Sesshin Day 1 Koan, Deshan, Dragons, Lineage, Gratitude, Passions |
Jun 21 1989 Berkeley Zen Center |
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June 12th, 1988, Serial No. 00299Serial: BZ-00299 Sunday Lecture Ordinary Mind, Doubt, Attachment, Koan, Daily Life, Intuition, soto, confusion, Karma... |
Jun 12 1988 |
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June 3rd, 1987, Serial No. 01501, Side B Birth-and-Death, true dharma, Sixth Patriarch, Koan, Attachment, Heart Sutra, soto,... |
Jun 03 1987 |
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1986.09.07-serial.00323 Bodhidharma, Koan, Tozan, Peace, Composure |
Sep 07 1986 |
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Blue Cliff Record: Case #3Serial: BZ-00409A Sun Face Buddha, Moon Face Buddha, Saturday Lecture Buddha, Koan, BCR-3, First Principle, Buddha Nature, Cultivation, Judgement,... |
Feb 02 1985 Berkeley Zen Center |
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1984.04.10-serial.00317 Vows, Koan, Hate, Greed, Describe |
Apr 10 1984 |
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1984.02.01-serial.00288 Practice Period, Non-discrimination, Aspects of Practice, Thich Nhat Hanh, Koan... |
Feb 01 1984 |
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Blue Cliff Record: Case #43Serial: BZ-00006B How Can We Avoid Heat and Cold?, Saturday Lecture BCR-43 Koan, resistance, Non-violence, Fasting, Anger, Dana, Daily Life, Building, training... |
Mar 05 1983 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Mumonkan: Case #35 -- Seijo's Soul SeparatedSerial: BZ-00046B Unifying Body, Mind and the Way, Saturday Lecture MM-35
Koan, Birth-and-Death, War, Peace, Dragons, Offering, Instruction, Doubt, Emotions,... |
Jan 22 1983 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Blue Cliff Record: Case #35Serial: BZ-00034A Manjushri's "3's" and "3's"; Nondiscrimination, Saturday Lecture BCR-35
Non-discrimination, Koan, Manjushri, Dragons, Conversation, Sixth Patriarch, Monastic... |
Jul 03 1982 Berkeley Zen Center |