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Tenzo Talks
Tenzo (Japanese: 典座) is a title given to the chef at a Buddhist monastery. The word tenzo is Japanese for "seat of ceremony", similar to the English term "master of ceremonies."
From ancient times Buddhist monasteries have had six office-holders who, as disciples of the Buddha, guide the monastic community. Amongst these, the tenzo bears the responsibility of caring for the community's meals. The Pure Standards of the Chan Monastery states; "The tenzo functions as the one who makes offerings with reverence to the monks."
Since ancient times this office has been held by realized monks or by senior disciples who have roused the enlightened. Those entrusted with this work but who lack a disciplined mind will only cause and endure hardship despite all their efforts. The Zen Monastic Standards states; "Putting the mind of the Way to work, serve carefully varied meals appropriate to each occasion and thus allow everyone to practice without hindrance."
The Tenzo does much more than a "cook" does. It is one of the most demanding positions. The Tenzo prepares meal plans for Sesshin, making sure all the ingredients are present. The vast majority of food comes from takuhatsu. It means the vegetables are not prime choice, not really "fresh" as sold in stores. It is the job of the Tenzo to provide nutritional meals from the donations received from takuhatsu.
Title | Speaker | |
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Fragrant Teaching and Incarnated BeingsSerial: TL-00794 ADZG Monday Night, Vimalakirti Sutra, Tenzo, Bodhisattva, Buddha, Bodhisattva, Time |
May 15 2023 Hybrid |
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New Directions in Zen StudiesSerial: TL-00686 ADZG Sunday Morning, Rinzai, Shobogenzo, Tenzo, Blue Cliff Record, Chanting |
Jan 31 2021 Zoom |
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Book of Serenity case 21: The One Not Busy and the Moon MissionSerial: TL-00598 ADZG Monday Night, Book of Serenity, Shuso Ceremony, Two Truths, Tenzo, Oneness |
Mar 11 2019 ADZG Temple |
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Winter Solstice poetry- Dogen and SaigyoSerial: TL-00573 ADZG Sunday Morning, Sanctuary, Bell, Balance, Tenzo, Buddha Ancestors |
Dec 23 2018 ADZG Temple |
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The Practice of Thanks GivingSerial: TL-00555 ADZG Sunday Morning, Gratitude, Dana, Money, Fundraising, Tenzo |
Nov 25 2018 ADZG Temple |
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Mutual Response of Ancestral WaysSerial: TL-00469 ADZG Sesshin, Letting Go, Hongzhi, Tenzo |
Jun 04 2017 ADZG Temple |
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September 4th, 2016, Serial No. 00433 Tenzo, Right Speech, Right Effort, Freedom |
Sep 04 2016 |
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The 6th Ancestor Refined and Sifted by the Elephant KingSerial: TL-00396 ADZG Sesshin, Tenzo, Fox, Bodhidharma, Dharma Transmission |
Dec 05 2015 ADZG Temple |
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Awakening Through Zen and PoetrySerial: EB-00226 Joining the Tassajara practice period; reminiscences of the first Tassajara practice period; kitchen practice and the Tenzokyokun; Practice Period, Way-Seeking Mind, Tenzo, Ordinary Mind |
Nov 02 2010 |
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Buddhas Merging with Temple PillarsSerial: TL-00200 ADZG Sunday Morning, Book of Serenity, Lotus Sutra, Tenzo, Bell |
Dec 06 2009 ADZG Temple |
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Presence in Everyday Zen Practice Big Mind, Dragons, Tenzo, Beginners, Offering |
Jun 17 2009 |
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Zen in the Everyday Kitchen Politics, Tenzo, Money, Don't Know Mind |
May 11 2009 |
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Zendo Opening and Martin Luther King DaySerial: TL-00181 ADZG Monday Night, Tenzo, Way-Seeking Mind, Right Effort, Intention |
Jan 19 2009 ADZG Temple |
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Shifting from Approval to Love Emotions, Tenzo, Addiction, Lay, confusion |
Nov 23 2008 |
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Bodhisattva Vows Precepts, Suzuki Roshi, Money, Building, Tenzo |
Sep 08 2007 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Seeking the Way in Everyday Life Way-Seeking Mind, Ordinary Mind, Daily Life, Tenzo, Practice Period |
May 18 2006 |
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April 1st, 2006, Serial No. 00097 Faith, Continuous Practice, Tenzo, Rinzai, Lay Practice |
Apr 01 2006 |
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Sincere Engagement in Zen Practice Dragons, Bell, Instruction, Tenzo, Sangha |
Apr 25 2005 |
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Wholehearted Living: Zen in Practice Bell, Dragons, Instruction, Tenzo, Sangha |
May 10 2004 |
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Zen Cooking: Creativity Meets Responsibility Intimacy, Tenzo, Instruction, Soto Zen, Priest |
May 03 2004 |
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Intuitive Cooking, Zen Living Intimacy, Tenzo, Priest, Instruction, Bowing |
May 03 2004 |
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Zen of Culinary Intuition Intimacy, Tenzo, Instruction, Bowing, Chanting |
May 03 2004 |
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Zen in Every Kitchen Task Tenzo, Realization, Practice Period, Beginners |
May 01 2004 |
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Unvarnished Sincerity in Zen Practice Discrimination, Tenzo, Offering, Community, Commitment |
May 01 2004 |
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Zen Balance in Daily Life Discrimination, Tenzo, Offering, Community, Commitment |
May 01 2004 |
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Embrace Simplicity Through Sincere Effort Discrimination, Tenzo, Offering, Community, Commitment |
May 01 2004 |
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Zen in Everyday Cooking Life Tenzo, Realization, Practice Period, Beginners |
May 01 2004 |
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Precision in Practice: Zen Lessons Discrimination, Tenzo, Offering, Community, Commitment |
May 01 2004 |
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June 14th, 2003, Serial No. 00118 Avalokiteshvara, Pain, Joshu, Money, Tenzo |
Jun 14 2003 |
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Tenzo's Awakening from Eihei ShingiSerial: BZ-00104B Sesshin Day 2 Eihei Shingi, Tenzo, Buddha Nature, Big Mind, Manjushri, Ego, Five Ranks, Tassajara... |
Jun 21 2001 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Treating Everything as a Subject from Eihei ShingiSerial: BZ-00104A Sesshin Day 1 Eihei Shingi, Tenzo, Bell, Subject-and-Object, Duality, First Principle, Non-duality... |
Jun 20 2001 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Finding the Jewel of Presence Dragons, Tenzo, Sengai, Don't Know Mind, Instruction |
Aug 14 2000 |
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Zen Paths: Persevere and Empower Ego, Way-Seeking Mind, Faith, Tenzo, Hate |
Aug 04 1999 |
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Embrace Uncertainty With Courage Ego, Way-Seeking Mind, Faith, Tenzo, Hate |
Aug 04 1999 |
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October 14th, 1996, Serial No. 00087 Faith, Money, Tenzo, Intention, Buddha Ancestors |
Oct 14 1996 |
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October 7th, 1996, Serial No. 00066 Ceremony, Tenzo, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Freedom, Oryoki |
Oct 07 1996 |
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April 28th, 1996, Serial No. 00070 Tenzo, Priest, Faith, Manjushri |
Apr 28 1996 |
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April 27th, 1996, Serial No. 00092 Tenzo, Priest, Manjushri, Ceremony |
Apr 27 1996 |
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April 27th, 1996, Serial No. 00145 Tenzo, Priest, Faith, Manjushri |
Apr 27 1996 |
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Dogen's Wisdom for Modern Zen Tenzo, Rinzai, Freedom, Daily Life, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center |
Feb 24 1996 |
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June 21st, 1994, Serial No. 00075 Fox, Dana, Continuous Practice, Funeral, Tenzo |
Jun 21 1994 |
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Zen's Journey: Work as Practice Okesa, Soto Zen, Ordination, Tenzo |
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