A collection of dharma talks, events, interviews and other media from Zen Mountain Monastery and the Zen Center of NYC. Please scroll down for all available talks. Subscribe via: iTunes | Google Play
A collection of dharma talks, events, interviews and other media from Zen Mountain Monastery and the Zen Center of NYC. Please scroll down for all available talks. Subscribe via: iTunes | Google Play
The value of courage is one of the ten values of the Beyond Fear of Differences work. In this context, Shugen Roshi speaks about several aspects of courage, especially the ability to step forward, to be vulnerable, to tolerate discomfort, and to hold space for new ideas. This is the second of two talks on courage given by Shugen Roshi during April’s Apple Blossom Sesshin. He elaborates on the seemingly small, genteel phrase “to tolerate discomfort.” Examining its subtle details takes us into every area of our practice.
Featured Event
The Beyond Fear of Differences (BFoD) Planning Group held a public forum at the Monastery on Sunday, March 3, 2019—a moment 10 years in the making.
Featured Video
On March 3, 2019, Shugen Roshi introduced the chief disciple for the new training period and spoke about confronting oppression as a path of liberation for all beings.
Featured Interview
Get to know Ely Seiryu Rayek, the frequently flying Chief Disciple for the Spring training period.
Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Sensei
Zen Mountain Monastery, 6/15/2019
Following her retreat on the Fullness of Emptiness, visiting teacher Zenju Sensei shares with us her journey on the path of awakening. To Find out more about Zenju Sensei, visit her website at zenju.org
Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi
Zen Mountain Monastery, 6/09/2019
Concluding Shugen Roshi’s retreat on the Four Immeasurables, and in his series expanding upon the ten values necessary for Beyond Fear of Differences work, this discourse opens with an excerpt from Dogen’s Genjokoan as a way in to deeply understanding the value of humility in our lived practices of the Way.
Ron Hogen Green, Sensei
Zen Center of New York City, 6/9/2019
Starting from a section in the Diamond Sutra that examines the fact that truth is not found in letters, Hogen Sensei explores how zazen helps reveal answers to fundamental questions that cannot be found in scripture, words, or thoughts.
Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi
Zen Mountain Monastery, 6/02/2019
Gateless Gate, Case 35
This talk explores how we can each live undivided lives along true paths in union with the whole.
Ron Hogen Green, Sensei
Zen Center of New York City, 6/2/2019
Book of Serenity, Case 8
In this commentary to a well-known koan, Hogen Sensei discusses the mechanics of karma, and the role of zazen and insight in seeing through, transforming, and being liberated from karma, all while in the midst of it. He presents the Mahayana perspective of “not ignoring cause and effect” by engaging in compassionate selfless action as the necessary complement of the Theravadan ideal of “being free from cause and effect”.
Ron Hogen Green, Sensei
Zen Center of New York City, 6/1/2019
True Dharma Eye, Case 79
Hogen Sensei takes up the case of Yaoshan’s Discourse in Dogen’s Three Hundred Koan Shobogenzo to reflect on the importance of Zazen. This talk reviews two common misperceptions about zazen: “letting it all go” and bypassing what needs to be worked through, and also using Zazen as a meditation practice to dwell on thoughts and missing the opportunity to examine what is the “self”. Referring back to the “thundering silence” demonstrated by Yaoshan, Hogen Sensei offers encouragement that we are already on the path to realize suchness that is beyond speech by just sitting.
Patrick Yunen Kelly, Senior Lay Student
Zen Center of New York City, 05/26/2019
Using teachings of Shantideva as a starting point, Yunen explores how lay practice can be a strong, vital, integrated part of training in Zen Buddhist practice, much as the Buddha intended in describing the the sangha as comprised of laypeople and monastics practicing together.
Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi
Zen Mountain Monastery, 5/25/2019
Taking up Dogen’s Fascicle Shoaku Makusa, Shugen Roshi explores how our open awareness is like a child’s expression of “refrain from unwholesome action, do wholesome action,” but in practice this seemingly easy instruction is quite difficult. Why? This is the heart of being human and facing the whole of reality of our lives.
Danica Shoan Ankele, Monastic
Zen Mountain Monastery, 05/24/2019
If the truth fills the whole universe and nothing is hidden, why don’t I see it? How do I work with this “mind of afflictions” which is identical to “Buddha mind”? Mn. Shoan brings us encouraging words from the Mahamudra tradition to help us with our practice of manifesting Buddha.
Michelle Seigei Spark, Lay Senior
Zen Mountain Monastery, 5/23/2019
Being affected by and affecting others, in every interaction we can appreciate what we offer and what we receive. Lay student Seigei explores this awareness of intention, before the thought, and how with every action and in every moment we re-make the world.