| Date | Title & Details | Speaker | Listen | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/24/2023 |
Readiness and ReceivingKakumyo explores some themes from the Lotus Sutra and Dogen relating to our ability to absorb Dharma. Where do we find it, what gets in the way, and what does that tell us about reality? [Note: apologies for the poor quality of the recording.] Categories: Dharma Talks |
Kakumyo Lowe-Charde | ||
| 09/20/2023 |
Foundational Teachings Class – 2This annual class explores Buddhism’s foundational teachings, covering topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors. Categories: Wednesday Classes |
Daigai Filbert, Shin’yu Vitells | ||
| 09/17/2023 |
Don’t WorryCategories: Dharma Talks |
Sallie Jiko Tisdale | ||
| 09/10/2023 |
The Three TenetsThe Three Tenets of the Zen Peacemaker’s Order are: Not Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Taking Action. We’ll look at the practice of sesshin through the lens of these three tenets. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Shin’yu Vitells | ||
| 09/03/2023 |
Practicing TogetherSosetsu talks about two slogans – Practicing Together and Be a Good Ancestor – and a little about sports. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Mark Sosetsu Stauffer | ||
| 08/27/2023 |
Term OpeningJyoshin talks about forms: how we work with form and practice in a big-picture view. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Jyoshin Clay | ||
| 08/20/2023 |
Loving-Kindness and TrustTrust is important in an ongoing Buddhist practice. However, fear and apprehension can sometimes interfere with its expression. Metta (lovingkindness) practice can disarm us and provide the sense of openness and safety needed for the arising of trust. Daigai reflects on the benefits of metta practice, particularly the connection between lovingkindness and the manifesting of trust. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Daigai Filbert | ||
| 08/13/2023 |
Going Forward Is an Everyday AffairThis line in the Fukanzazengi, which we recite for our evening program, snagged my attention this week. What is going forward? What is an everyday affair? How do we live our everyday lives in such a way that we keep going forward? Categories: Dharma Talks |
Genko Rainwater | ||
| 08/06/2023 |
GathasFlying Fish talks about Gatha practice. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Flying Fish Murphy | ||
| 07/30/2023 |
ImpermanenceAnicca, or Impermanence, looms large among our basic Buddhist teachings. It’s one of the three Marks of Existence and is intimately related to the Four Noble Truths. Impermanence seems pretty straightforward: everything changes. It’s pretty easy to intellectually accept that, but not so easy to wholeheartedly live it. Why do we struggle so hard to avoid impermanence? What are our often unconscious strategies for avoiding it? How can we engage with it? Who are we when we stop resisting impermanence? Categories: Dharma Talks |
Mike Gyoshi Kaplan | ||
| 07/23/2023 |
Juniors and SeniorsIt is said that a senior is a person wholly comfortable with being a junior. What does that mean? How does this simple designation of rank work in practice? What are the lessons each can give us? Categories: Dharma Talks |
Sallie Jiko Tisdale | ||
| 07/16/2023 |
Post-PilgrimageKakumyo shares some stories about the Pilgrimage that 12 people went on, and draws some lessons from it. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Kakumyo Lowe-Charde | ||
| 07/09/2023 |
PilgrimageTwelve Dharma Rain members leave today (July 9) on Pilgrimage to visit several temples south of us. We are going to the Bay Area and back home, stopping along the way, and will be gone for a week. This Dharma Talk explores the topic of Pilgrimage: what is it, how does it relate to our lives, and how does it differ from other forms of travel? Categories: Dharma Talks |
Genko Rainwater | ||
| 07/02/2023 |
A Rock in My ShoeCategories: Dharma Talks |
Jyoshin Clay | ||
| 06/18/2023 |
The Poison ArrowWhat does it mean to study our past? How do we both practice attention and presence in our life today, and understand wounds and conditions of the past? Categories: Dharma Talks |
Sallie Jiko Tisdale | ||
| 06/11/2023 |
Maitreya and HopeFlying Fish explores the theme of Hope by looking at Maitreya “of future birth.” Categories: Dharma Talks |
Flying Fish Murphy | ||
| 06/04/2023 |
Coming Alive in NatureIn her student talk, Zonnyo explores the teaching of suchness in relation to nature, and some history of earth-based practices in Zen and Chan Buddhism. As we experience the climate crisis, what role do joy and grief play in our experience of “just this?” Categories: Dharma Talks |
Zonnyo Riger | ||
| 05/31/2023 |
Sutra Study 7 – Lankavatara SutraCategories: Wednesday Classes |
Kakumyo Lowe-Charde | ||
| 05/24/2023 |
Sutra Study 6 – Diamond SutraCategories: Wednesday Classes |
Jyoshin Clay | ||
| 05/21/2023 |
Generosity, Vulnerability, and BelongingDana, often translated as giving or generosity, is one of the six perfections of Bodhisattva cultivation and embodiment. It is often described as a merit producing practice of giving that which is life sustaining, but can also be offering dharma or spiritual teaching, or providing freedom from fear. Ultimately, all beings are naturally giving through the unfolding of life, just like a flower blooming in spring provides nectar without thought. This talk will focus on how the capacity for generosity relates to practicing with vulnerability and how holding and befriending vulnerability when it arises can help one realize belonging. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Mark Sosetsu Stauffer | ||
| 05/17/2023 |
Sutra Study 5 – Yogacara with Ben ConnollyVisiting Teacher Ben Connolly talks about his new book and some of the teachings of Yogacara. Categories: Wednesday Classes |
Ben Connolly | ||
| 05/14/2023 |
Savoring SignificanceThis Sunday Kakumyo will explore an exchange about meaning that happened during last week’s Dharma Talk. Questions about what matters, what we’re practicing for, and how the dharma is expressed all weave their way in. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Kakumyo Lowe-Charde | ||
| 05/10/2023 |
Sutra Study 4 – Brahma NetCategories: Wednesday Classes |
Sallie Jiko Tisdale | ||
| 05/07/2023 |
What Does it Mean to Practice?Asking this question can bring up a lot of different answers. Sometimes we think we know what “practice” is or what “our practice” is. At other times, it might seem murky. This week, Jyoshin looks at practice and the ways we can examine what might be fruitful to bring to our efforts or non-efforts. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Jyoshin Clay | ||
| 05/03/2023 |
Sutra Study 3 – Universal GatewayGenko presents and explores the verse summary of the Universal Gateway Chapter of the Lotus Sutra. Categories: Wednesday Classes |
Genko Rainwater | ||
| 04/30/2023 |
The Buddhist Theory of EverythingBuddhism has a teaching called the Five Niyama, or Laws, that are said to explain how the universe works. Do they? We will discuss. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Sallie Jiko Tisdale | ||
| 04/26/2023 |
Sutra Study 2 – Lotus SutraThe Spring Wednesday evening class series is studying sutras. The active Dharma Rain Teachers will be presenting some of their favorite teachings from the sutras, so there will be a lot of variety. At that, it will be only a taste of each sutra and a small sample of all of the sutras out there. Still, we hope to get into some depth and have some good discussion and an enhanced understanding of the richness of the teachings in Buddhism. Categories: Wednesday Classes |
Flying Fish Murphy | ||
| 04/23/2023 |
Be A Good Friend to YourselfAn important part of our Zen practice is meeting each other with acceptance and compassion, but when we don’t measure up to our own expectations, we can be very critical of ourselves. Shin’yu explores what practicing loving kindness towards our own experience might look like. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Shin’yu Vitells | ||
| 04/19/2023 |
Sutra Study 1 – OverviewThe Spring Wednesday evening class series is studying sutras. The active Dharma Rain Teachers will be presenting some of their favorite teachings from the sutras, so there will be a lot of variety. At that, it will be only a taste of each sutra and a small sample of all of the sutras out there. Still, we hope to get into some depth and have some good discussion and an enhanced understanding of the richness of the teachings in Buddhism. Categories: Wednesday Classes |
Mark Sosetsu Stauffer | ||
| 04/16/2023 |
Grounding StillnessKakumyo speaks about the aspect of meditation that is most frequently neglected. If you value meditation, but often wish to experience it differently, this may be useful. Categories: Dharma Talks |
Kakumyo Lowe-Charde | ||
| 04/09/2023 |
Spring Sangha ForumTwice a year, the sangha has an opportunity to hear from our governing bodies and to ask questions and give feedback. In the spring, the forum is sponsored by the Dharma Council. The Board and Dharma Garden Council also give updates. Categories: Sangha Forum |
Kakumyo Lowe-Charde | ||
| 04/05/2023 |
Practicing with VowIn this series of six classes we discuss the history of vow practice in Buddhism, ways of working with vow, and go into depth with exploring our personal relation to the four Bodhisattva Vows. The classes are highly participatory and emphasize personal experience with the content more than information about it. The classes are led by three of our lay teachers: Gyoshi, Kengan, and Sosetsu. Categories: Wednesday Classes |
Mike Gyoshi Kaplan | ||
| Date | Title & Details | Speaker | Listen | Download |