The Daily Zen Teisho

Readings from Sun Face Buddha

I’ve built a grass hut where there’s nothing of value. After eating, I relax and enjoy a nap. When the hut was completed, fresh weeds appeared. Now it’s been lived in-cov

The Ryumon-ji Sermons – The Unborn Part 3

For those of us who have read the stories of Zen masters’ lives, Bankei’s enlightenment story is among the more powerful ones. His dedication is inspiring, and his insigh

The Fundamental Expedient Teachings

This translation comes from the Tun-huang documents discovered in Cave 17 sometime around 1900. While we don’t usually explore where these translations actually come from

Illusion = Satori

At times we feel like we are “successfully” walking with a foot in both worlds where illusion and reality seem balanced. Similar to walking a balance beam, we adjust our

King of Samadhis

Most of what we have read or heard about sitting meditation has come from contemporary vehicles for Buddhism. This lovely piece, King of Samadhis, helps communicate the d

The Platform Sutra

Many of us are familiar with the first part of the Platform Sutra, recounting the story of Huineng’s life and how he obtained the robe and bowl after arriving at the mona

To Live is Just to Live

All of us have been known to complicate our lives and our practice at times. We overthink problems, over-dwell on emotional states from time to time, and try to quantify

Shikantaza

Time to return to the beginning with Spring/Fall around the corner.  Many of you have asked for more instruction on beginning meditation. Read the Journal while listenin

Informal Talks

Dogen speaks clearly about the mind that seeks the way and how to maintain the intensity of practice over time.  We couldn’t ask for a world of more distraction than the

What is the Way?

There are always layers of understanding and misunderstanding in practice. It is similar to a snake shedding its skin; at one stage that is the only protection it has; th

Divine Light

In the beginning, I was seeking that one essential point to connect with, to focus on, which would allow me a foundation that didn’t clutter up the mind with too many con

Zazen

There’s room in practice for many kinds of students; at some stage in practice, we have been them all.  Everything is in a constant state of change, including us, and any

Skeletons

Death, the great equalizer, has a way of bringing life into a different kind of focus. Ikkyu’s skeletons share teachings from their point of view, which is accessible to

Kuan-shin lun – Contemplation of Mind

Sometimes less is more. There is no technique discussed other than contemplating the mind. We might translate this into turning the light of awareness inward, or leave it

Skeletons – Part 2

Ikkyu’s skeletons teach in rich and evocative koan-like poems.  Any one of them can be read alone, and in fact, each one deserves quiet contemplation rather than a single

The Enlightenment of Chiyono

Mugai Nyodai, known also as Chiyono, was one of the first Japanese women to receive transmission in Zen. Read the Journal while listening

What is Ch’an?

This is a time to return to the roots of practice. With new people coming into Daily Zen every month, it is fitting now for a piece like this. Sheng-yen skillfully paints

The Awakening of Mugai Nyodai – Part 2

Mugai Nyodai, known also as Chiyono, was one of the first Japanese women to receive transmission in Zen..  While she is well known through her founding of many women's Ze

On the Transmission of Mind – Part 12

This piece of Huang Po’s touches elements of practice that seem to turn your mind inside out at first. He seems to raise more questions than answers, and thus helps us re

True School of the Ancient Buddhas

Down to earth and, at the same time, a most expanded view of practice; each line is an invitation to explore.  Read the Journal while listening