Recordings

As we become more aware of the workings of mind, our sense of who we are, our responsibility, and what our practice is keeps changing. Kakumyo explores this by taking a look at two paramitas and Dogen’s Eight Realizations to see how they interweave.

Categories: Dharma Talks

As we settle into Ango and witness the public ceremonies of one person becoming an ordained priest and another entering postulancy toward that same path, Genko looks at some of the different ways we practice. Each of our lives is different, and each of us has our own unique path. And yet, when we come together, we create something that supports all of us in our practice.

Categories: Dharma Talks

We discuss the Three Minds of practice and how many Buddhists it takes to screw in a light bulb.

Categories: Dharma Talks

There’s a deep-seated yearning we all tap into that guides how we live our life. It’s vulnerable to let its voice be prominent, and it takes skill to be able to listen to it consistently. One of the misses we make is we substitute rules and procedures for this subtle guidance. Kakumyo explores this edge in practice.  

Categories: Dharma Talks

Jyoshin describes the liminal space of this time of year.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Desire is one of the root causes of suffering in Buddhism. Using the teaching of the buddha, we will look at how desire entangles us and how to unravel its grip. Releasing our mind and body from the confusion desire creates, we open to wisdom and compassion.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Sometimes we find ourselves in stereotyped roles with another person, responding to another as though we are parent, child, hero, or villain. Why do enter into archetypal roles and how do we work with these in practice?

Categories: Dharma Talks

Recently over breakfast, several residents expressed interest in learning more about what goes on in our prison groups. The conditions there suggest new and different ways to approach familiar teachings. Genko shares some of the learning/teaching opportunities from Dharma Rain’s prison program.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Kyogen used to quote his teacher, Roshi Kennett, as saying “you chase enlightenment until it catches you.” There is both an active, effortful, element to this phrase as well as an its-not-all-up-to-you-entirely element. What happens when, after throwing ourselves wholeheartedly into practice, something remarkable and unexpected occurs?

Categories: Dharma Talks

The shuso role is a visible and important training position at Dharma Rain. Tsuho talks about his experience serving as shuso, how temple roles shape one’s practice, and how our edges find us no matter where we go

Categories: Dharma Talks

Kakumyo talks about the endless work of skillfully shifting perspectives in order to meet the world around us with a curiosity, dignity, and joy.

Categories: Dharma Talks

We emphasize sangha and the benefits of practicing together. Then we engage in a kind of solitary practice in the same room. We will talk about the differences between being together and being alone, and what ‘alone’ means.

Categories: Dharma Talks

How does the vastness of no beginning and no end inspire an intimate heart? Flying Fish gives a talk that explores the relationship between the meaning of these two statements and the implications on our practice and how we meet our daily life.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Soto Zen’s core practice of just sitting is subtle and profound, and it’s also quite mysterious. It’s usually described via negation or in poetry, which is helpful for some, but not for all. This Sunday, Kakumyo will talk about some of the ways we approach shikan taza and what that may mean for our practice.

Categories: Dharma Talks

So much has happened recently. So much tragedy; so much pain. This week Jyoshin brings together threads of Buddhist teachings, practices, and reminders as ways of coping with tragedy and loss.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Genko explores the landscape of practice as it unfolds in sometimes unexpected ways.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Categories: Dharma Talks

Categories: Dharma Talks

Shin’yu explores the implications of Wesak.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Function secretly, like a fool? What kind of advice is that? We talk about fools and secrets, and also about that ever-elusive host within the host.

Categories: Dharma Talks

In this talk we explore together these challenging and powerful vows. We consider the koan nature of these vows and some of the rather different formulations of them. And we’ll look at how these vows might assist you in your practice.  

Categories: Dharma Talks

Categories: Dharma Talks

Former abbot Kyogen Carlson explores the essence of Ordination to monastic and lay practitioners.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Many are discovering new levels of mask-light, normal activity than they’ve had access to for two years. This creates some interesting dynamics at the temple.  Kakumyo discusses some perspectives of how the sangha has changed over the last several years, how to reintegrate back in, lessons learned, and a renewed practice with form as the need to continuously adjust to the pandemic recedes a bit.

Categories: Dharma Talks

In the Universal Gateway scripture, we recite a list of miracles made possible by belief in Kanzeon. What is magic in Buddhism? What is power? We will consider a few puzzling stories and what it is possible to know.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Categories: Dharma Talks

Categories: Dharma Talks

Categories: Dharma Talks

Categories: Dharma Talks

Categories: Dharma Talks

A talk by Lay Teacher Mike Gyoshi Kaplan on willingness and change,

Categories: Dharma Talks

A new year. A fresh slate. However, some things still remain with us like stress, worry, and fear. For some, it’s easy to hang on to those feelings and mind states and project them forward into the future. This Sunday, Jyoshin will be looking at what it is to be in non-opposition to the things that worry us.

Categories: Dharma Talks