Zazen Talks
Zazen is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary practice of the Zen Buddhist tradition.
The generalized Japanese term for meditation is 瞑想 (meisō); however, zazen has been used informally to include all forms of seated Buddhist meditation. The term zuòchán can be found in early Chinese Buddhist sources, such as the Dhyāna sutras. For example, the famous translator Kumārajīva (344–413) translated a work termed Zuòchán sān mēi jīng (A Manual on the Samādhi of Sitting Meditation) and the Chinese Tiantai master Zhiyi (538–597 CE) wrote some very influential works on sitting meditation.
The meaning and method of zazen varies from school to school, but in general it is a quiet type of Buddhist meditation done in a sitting posture like the lotus position. The practice can be done with various methods, such as following the breath (anapanasati), mentally repeating a phrase (which could be a koan, a mantra, a huatou or nianfo) and a kind of open monitoring in which one is aware of whatever comes to our attention (sometimes called shikantaza or silent illumination). Repeating a huatou, a short meditation phrase, is a common method in Chinese Chan and Korean Seon. Meanwhile, nianfo, the practice of silently reciting the Buddha Amitabha's name, is common in the traditions influenced by Pure Land practice, and was also taught by Chan masters like Zongmi.
In the Japanese Buddhist Rinzai school, zazen is usually combined with the study of koans. The Japanese Sōtō school makes less or no use of koans, preferring an approach known as shikantaza where the mind has no object at all.
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Continued Exploration of the Bodhisattva's SamadhiA talk given to the No Abode Community on September 9th, 2023. Begins with a brief overview of Books One and Two. In Book Three, Samantabhadra, Samadhi, Avatamsaka Sutra, Flower Adornment Sutra, Zazen, Priest, Evil... |
Sep 09 2023 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Objectless Meditation and Serene IlluminationSerial: TL-00809 ADZG Monday Night, Dogen, Zazen, Samadhi, Silence, Subject-and-Object |
Sep 04 2023 Hybrid |
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Core Soto ZenSerial: TL-00807 ADZG Monday Night, Dogen, Bendowa, Zazen, Samadhi, Repentance, American |
Aug 14 2023 Hybrid |
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Entering the Samadhi of Buddha’s RadianceA talk by Tenshin Roshi for a gathering of the No Abode community Flower Adornment Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra, Katagiri Roshi, Suzuki Roshi, Tassajara Zen Mountain... |
Aug 12 2023 No Abode Hermitage |
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Hiroshima Day and Dogen’s Repentance PracticeSerial: TL-00806 ADZG Sunday Morning, War, Zazen, Eihei Koso Hotsuganmon, Repentance, Lay Ordination |
Aug 06 2023 Hybrid |
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Zen Meditation on Our Original Nature, Class 8In this series of gatherings we will explore and perhaps realize our original nature, and how to apply such a discovery to all of our daily activities. #YRB-2023-Spring1, Original Nature, Sangha, Zazen, Gratitude, Darkness and Light... |
May 09 2023 8 of 8 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Meditation on Our Original Nature, Class 1In this series of gatherings we will explore and perhaps realize our original nature, and how to apply such a discovery to all of our daily activities. #YRB-2023-Spring1, Original Nature, Emotions, War, Precious Mirror, Zazen,... |
Mar 21 2023 1 of 8 The Yoga Room |
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Protecting and Liberating All BeingsA residential weekend retreat at Mount Madonna. #MtMadonna-2021-Fall, Compassion, Intimacy, Observe, Zazen, Bodhidharma, American... |
Nov 19 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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Stories of EnlightenmentIn our class this fall we will contemplate and converse about several stories of Zen practice and enlightenment. Our contemplation and conversations will naturally bring up questions and concerns... YRB-2019-Fall, confusion, Book of Serenity, Discrimination, Zazen, resistance... |
Oct 03 2019 1/7 The Yoga Room |
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Teachings for the Welfare of the WorldIn this summer series, teachings will be offered for those who aspire to embrace and sustain the great earth and all living beings in order to realize peace and freedom in our troubled world. YRB-2019-Summer, Silence, Transmission, true dharma, Religion, Passions, Suzuki Roshi... |
Jul 02 2019 2/7 The Yoga Room |
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Awakening Lives In Silence And StillnessIn the midst of stillness there is the awakened activity of liberating beings; lovingkindness and politics; becoming Buddha by realizing causation; not being possessive of anything, even the dharma,... Lovingkindness, Zazen, Cause-and-Effect, Liberation, causation, Lovingkindness, zen... |
Jan 02 2017 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Since You Cannot Waste Time, Don’tWisdom, Karmic Consequences, Consciousness, Rumi, Karmic Consequences, cognitive... |
Oct 08 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s HouseLotus Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Faith, Zazen, Perfect Wisdom, Bell, Samadhi |
Jun 11 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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A Lotus Sutra Narrative of the Bodhisattva PathLotus Sutra, Vow, Gaining Mind, Faith, Dharma Transmission, Zazen, causation,... |
May 07 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Following through with the Dung ShovelingCompassion, Zazen, Priest, Faith, Bodhisattva Vow, Suzuki Roshi, japanese, Intimacy... |
May 07 2016 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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A Buddha’s Practice is Done Together with Each PersonCultivation, Karmic Consciousness, Karmic Consciousness, Family Practice, Lotus Sutra... |
Nov 22 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Meditation as the Bodhisattva PreceptsCompassion, Wisdom, Precepts, Precepts, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Bodhisattva Precepts,... |
Oct 11 2014 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Zazen InstructionSerial: BZ-02338 Rohatsu Zazen, Posture, Pure Existence, Discrimination, Five Ranks, Religion, Emotions,... |
Dec 02 2013 Berkeley Zen Center |
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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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Sitting in the Big, Invisible World Zazen, Priest, Suzuki Roshi, Continuous Practice, Posture |
Jun 22 2013 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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ZazenSerial: BZ-02313 Review of Zazen, Sesshin Effort, Zazen, Sesshin, Nirvana, Mindfulness, Practice Period, resistance, Mahayana,... |
Jun 19 2013 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Six Qualities from the AbhidhammaSerial: BZ-02289 Tranquility, Agility, Pliancy, Workableness, Proficiency, Saturday Lecture No-Self, Abhidharma, Zazen, Daily Life, Composure, Nirvana, Hindrances, Attachment,... |
Feb 02 2013 Berkeley Zen Center |
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2012.07.30-serial.00140 Subject-and-Object, training, Dharma Transmission, Birth-and-Death, Oneness,... |
Jul 30 2012 |
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Family PracticeSerial: BZ-02245 Saturday Lecture Zazen, Family Practice, Practice Period, Intuition, Bell, Tassajara Zen Mountain... |
Jun 16 2012 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Zazen and the Seven Factors of EnlightenmentSerial: BZ-02227 Beneficial Attachment, One-Day Sitting Passive and Active Zazen
Shikantaza, Posture, Breath, Zazen, Monkey Mind, Concentration, Big Mind, Mindfulness... |
Jan 21 2012 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Conscious and Unconscious Obstructions of the Buddha Way Karmic Consciousness, Faith, Intuition, Obstacles, Zazen |
Apr 16 2011 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Commentary on True ConcentrationSerial: BZ-02148 Not Always So, Rohatsu Day 6 Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Mudra, Posture, Concentration, Four Noble Truths, Posture,... |
Dec 10 2010 Berkeley Zen Center |
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On the Eve of Going for Refuge in the Triple Treasure Confession-and-Repentance, Precepts, Zazen, Commitment, Nirvana |
Apr 17 2010 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Training for the Selfless Heart zen meditation, Suzuki Roshi, Conversation, Fox, Zazen |
Mar 18 2010 The Yoga Room |
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We Always Practice Under RestrictionSerial: BZ-02072 Ability and Disability, Rohatsu Day 5 Zazen, confusion, Funeral, Posture, Instruction, Karma, Forgiveness, Beginners,... |
Dec 10 2009 Berkeley Zen Center |
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On Enlightenment and Delusion Bowing, Zazen, Gratitude, American, Buddha Nature |
Dec 02 2009 The Yoga Room |
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Hokyo Zammai IIISerial: BZ-02056 100 Circles, Sesshin Day 2, class 3 of 4 Issan, Zazen, Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Five Ranks, Continuous Practice, Discrimination,... |
Sep 07 2009 3 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Joshu's 'Wash your Bowl'Serial: BZ-02049 Open, unassuming mind, One-Day Sitting, standing up from zazen Zazen, Don't Know Mind, Renunciation, Don't Know Mind, Religion, Greed,... |
Jul 18 2009 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Zazen is the true reference pointSerial: BZ-02047 Put your behind on the cushion, Saturday Lecture Drama of life, Thoughts = dream world
Zazen, Ordinary Mind, Instruction, resistance, Precepts, Interview, confusion,... |
Jun 27 2009 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Zazen InstructionSerial: BZ-02031 Bansan BCR-, Zazen, Posture, Building, Emotions, Beginners, resistance, Religion |
May 15 2009 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Revealing the Intention of the BuddhaSamdhinirmochana Mahayana Sutra Chapter 1 resistance, Zazen, Community, Mahayana |
Mar 21 2009 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Beginner's Sitting; Serial No. 01163Serial: BZ-01163 Beginners' Sesshin Zazen, Monastic Practice, Soto Zen, Religion, Don't Know Mind, Priest, Precepts... |
Oct 05 2008 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Precepts and ZazenSerial: BZ-01158 Harmonizing Buddha Nature, Instincts, and Desires, Saturday Lecture Precepts, Zazen, Desire, Buddha Nature, Precepts, Concentration, Buddha Nature,... |
Sep 13 2008 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Zazen InstructionSerial: BZ-01134 Bansan Zazen, Instruction, Posture, Aspects of Practice, Instruction, Ego |
May 23 2008 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Zazen, Sanshimopo, and Doshin: Foundations of PracticeSerial: BZ-01112 Shikantaza, Guidance, and Way-Seeking Mind, Saturday Lecture Shikantaza, Zazen, Way-Seeking Mind, Ego, Continuous Practice, Teacher-and-Student,... |
Feb 02 2008 Berkeley Zen Center |
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2008.01.23-serial.00113A Four Noble Truths, Don't Know Mind, Samsara, Buddha Ancestors, difficulty, Fox,... |
Jan 23 2008 |
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2008.01.20-serial.00112C Dependent Origination, Zendo, Teacher-and-Student, Ego, Happiness, Demons, Observe,... |
Jan 20 2008 |
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2008.01.19-serial.00112B Buddha Nature, Heart Sutra, Vow, true dharma, Daily Life, Culture, Subject-and-Object... |
Jan 19 2008 |
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Our Sphere of PracticeSerial: BZ-01103 Nonseparation of Zazen and Worldly Activity, Rohatsu Day 5 Practice, Politics, Zazen, War, SER-12, War, Diversity, Evil, Religion, Building,... |
Dec 06 2007 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Illumination of ZazenSerial: BZ-01099 Absorption in the Treasury of Light, Rohatsu Day 1 Zazen, BCR-, Silent Illumination, Light-and-Darkness, Samadhi, Manjushri, Intuition,... |
Dec 02 2007 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Intensive LectureSatipattana Sutra, Theravada, Zazen, Big Mind, Four Noble Truths, realization, Suzuki... |
Jul 10 2007 City Center |
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Six Factors of ZazenSerial: BZ-01431 One-Day Sitting Zazen, Concentration, Birth-and-Death, Daily Life, Emotions, Samadhi, Posture,... |
Apr 15 2007 Berkeley Zen Center |
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Liberating Your HandsRumi, Health, Zazen, Letting Go, Ceremony, Freedom, Conversation |
Apr 15 2007 |
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Sesshin as a Koan for the BodySerial: SF-00990 Sesshin Lecture: Easter/Buddha's Birthday; enlightenment experiences; dharmakaya; not doing anything; nirmanakaya; this is your life Sesshin, Enlightenment, San Quentin, Zazen, Buddha's Birthday, Birth-and-Death,... |
Apr 08 2007 Green Gulch |
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Being UncomfortableSerial: SF-01092 Sunday Lecture: What do we do when we become uncomfortable?; comfort - in body, mind, relationships - are focus of our consumerism; suffering = constant need to be fed;... Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Practice Period, Silence, Zendo, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen,... |
Mar 25 2007 Green Gulch |