Under the Words

Kodo Conlin: Founder Dōgen put it, "The path of all buddhas and ancestors arises before the first forms emerge; it cannot be spoken of using conventional views.” Our topic for tonight is getting under the words, invitations to broaden our spectrum of experience, abiding in the vastness beyond words and stories.

List-Making & Non-Dualism

Anshi Zachary Smith: “We’ll explore, among other things, the intellectual and philosophical environment in which Zen Buddhism developed in China, in particular the that fact that it contained both a proliferation of dualistic “list-making” and a preponderance of radical non-dualism (perhaps “anti-dualism”) as pioneered by some earlier Mahayana Buddhist schools, e.g. the Huayan school. We’ll also see how this balancing act has continued even up to the present day.”

Living with One Shoulder Bare

Michael McCord: We'll explore the ritual garment practice of Buddhist monks who draped cloth such that one shoulder was bare with their daily garments, symbolizing they always had at least one arm ready to help others.  How can we live this way in the modern world when "our" stuff seems to be overwhelming as it is - and what ways may this help us as well?

Hui Chao Asks About the Buddha

Anshi Zachary Smith raises Case 7 of the Blue Cliff Record,  “Hui Chao Asks About the Buddha,” to see what it can tell (or show) us about the exact nature of the much-debated term “Buddha Nature” in the context of Zen practice. We will also be bringing in a bit of Dogen, which is always a good thing—rather like adding pepper, or maybe even smoked Paprika, to soup.

Social & Communal Harmony

Maybe it's me, or what seems like perpetual election season, but little seems more relevant than reflecting on Social & Communal Harmony. What does the Buddha have to say about this, as one who lived through his own period of political upheaval and community division, and was insulted a fair amount? Let's pick up some of the Buddha's words and see what light they shine on how he was able to walk beneficially through this wild world. 

Yangshan’s Mind and Environment


“This case raises and explores the question of what actually happens when, as Dogen asks, you take “the backward step that turns your light inwardly to illuminate your self”. Not surprisingly, it’s not exactly as straightforward as turning on the kitchen light on the way to the fridge and there are some nuances to sort out.” — Anshi Zachary Smith

Beyond Illusion: Exploring the Self to Forget the Self

Hiro Ikushima: Dogen-zenji said, "To study the Buddha Way is to study the self, to study the self is to forget the self."  Bassui Tokushō, a Rinzai zen master, gave his disciples a self-inquiry "Who is this that hears the sound?"

We'll explore what it means to study the self and delve into self-Inquiry to peel back the layers of an illusory sense of self. 


Embracing Aversion to Open Our Hearts

Heather Shoren Iarusso: "Aversion" is one of the mental afflictions the Buddha calls The Five Hindrances, which hinder our ability to experience calm and insight on and off the meditation cushion. By turning toward these uncomfortable feeling-tones, we slowly become less reactive and more spacious. This frees the heart to be compassionate and receptive toward ourselves and others.

Imagination and the Bodhisattva Universe

For many, walking a path of meditation sometimes entails stumbling into challenges of frustration and self-evaluation. Ever clear-eyed about the nature of things, Zen practice employs the imagination to open us to the possibilities of wholesome growth, of a change in frame: stepping out of the limits of "the world according to me" and into the vast, joyful freedom of the Bodhisattva Universe animated by the Four Immeasurable Vows and Six Perfections. — Kodo Conlin

Fengxue's "Iron Ox" - Book Of Serenity 29

Anshi Zachary Smith: Case 29 of the Book of Serenity, which, in addition to a whole lot of slapstick hi-jinks and, perhaps, the most creative and outrageous insult a Tang Dynasty Zen teacher has ever leveled at his interlocutor, makes a number of subtle points about the nature and practice of teaching/transmission itself. Thus, it’s a fitting follow-on to Kodo’s talk about Practice Discussion of last week.

The Teaching Just for You: The Practice of Practice Discussion

With rivers of Dharma books and oceans of online instruction, how do I know the teaching that is right for me now? What does a practice that’s matured by decades even look like? One approach to clarifying such questions is the practice of practice discussion, to meet face-to-face in a space of shared reflection where the Teaching Just for You can arise. We will discuss the how's, what's, and why's. — Kodo Conlin

Zen as a Path of Metamorphosis

Inspired in part by the recent sesshin at City Center, we will be discussing the practice of Zen as a path of metamorphosis, a complement to our oh-so-everyday style. Let's see what arises as we discuss the path of transformation. Kodo Conlin facilitates.

Turtle Nosed Snake

Anshi Zachary Smith discusses the famous and nonetheless mysterious Turtle Nosed Snake from Case 24 of the Book of Serenity as well as Case 22 of the Blue Cliff Record. In the Case, Xuěfēng Yìcún warns his students to look out for the poisonous snake or, perhaps, he’s just suggesting they get up close and take a good look. We’ll also be taking a good look.

(4 of 4) Zazen Instruction for YUZ: Shikantaza

Consider this four-part series a gradual entry into shikantaza, the foundational meditation practice of our school of Zazen. Facilitated by Kodo Conlin, this course is designed sequentially for both experienced and first-time meditators: we develop our skills of awareness to include all aspects of our experience, one at a time. We begin with awareness of the breathing, proceeding to include, one by one, practices for wise awareness of the body, emotions, and thinking. This gradual approach is meant to support the cultivation of a clear, wise relationship to all aspects of our experience, with nothing left out. Finally, we enter shikantaza—just wholeheartedly sitting—a comprehensive immersion in the arisings of this moment, the practice of freedom amidst all things.

First session 1/31: To form our foundation: meditation on breathing and tips for establishing a daily practice.

Second session 2/7: To build upon our skills to include awareness of the body and wise practice with emotions.

Third session 2/14: To develop a mindful relationship to thinking.  

Fourth session 2/21: Having now trained with breath, body, and mind, we open to shikantaza, the heart of Zazen meditation.

(3 of 4) Meditation Instruction for Young Urban Zen

Consider this four-part series a gradual entry into shikantaza, the foundational meditation practice of our school of Zazen. Facilitated by Kodo Conlin, this course is designed sequentially for both experienced and first-time meditators: we develop our skills of awareness to include all aspects of our experience, one at a time. We begin with awareness of the breathing, proceeding to include, one by one, practices for wise awareness of the body, emotions, and thinking. This gradual approach is meant to support the cultivation of a clear, wise relationship to all aspects of our experience, with nothing left out. Finally, we enter shikantaza—just wholeheartedly sitting—a comprehensive immersion in the arisings of this moment, the practice of freedom amidst all things.

First session 1/31: To form our foundation: meditation on breathing and tips for establishing a daily practice.

Second session 2/7: To build upon our skills to include awareness of the body and wise practice with emotions.

Third session 2/14: To develop a mindful relationship to thinking.  

Fourth session 2/21: Having now trained with breath, body, and mind, we open to shikantaza, the heart of Zazen meditation.