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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Protecting and Liberating All BeingsA residential weekend retreat at Mount Madonna. #MtMadonna-2021-Fall, Compassion, Paramitas, Intimacy, Observe, Zazen, Bodhidharma,... |
Nov 19 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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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, Describe |
Sep 21 2013 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Sitting in the Big, Invisible World Zazen, Priest, Suzuki Roshi, Continuous, 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, Observe, Bell, Tassajara,... |
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 |