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Koan Talks
A kōan ( KOH-a(h)n; Japanese: 公案; Chinese: 公案; pinyin: gōng'àn [kʊ́ŋ ân]; Korean: 화두; Vietnamese: công án) is a story, dialogue, question, or statement from Chinese Chan Buddhist lore, supplemented with commentaries, that is used in Zen Buddhist practice in different ways. The main goal of kōan practice in Zen is to achieve kenshō (Chinese: jianxing 見性), to see or observe one's buddha-nature.
Extended study of kōan literature as well as meditation (zazen) on a kōan is a major feature of modern Rinzai Zen. They are also studied in the Sōtō school of Zen to a lesser extent. In Chinese Chan and Korean Seon Buddhism, meditating on a huatou, a key phrase of a kōan, is also a major Zen meditation method.
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Zen Meditation on the Great Flower Adornment Scripture, Class 1In this series of meetings, we will study and see how Zen is the key unlocking the innumerable meanings of this oceanic scripture. We will also explore how the sutra opens and illuminates our simple... YRB-2023-Fall, Lotus Sutra, Practice Period, Diversity, Heart Sutra, Koan |
Oct 03 2023 1 of 8 The Yoga Room |
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Practice Awakened: Zen's Unified Path Separation, Observe, Koan |
Jan 2022 |
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Undistracted Amidst Worldly Celestial Challenges Lotus Sutra, Enlightenment, Koan |
Oct 17 2020 |
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After Generations Of Nobility, Temporarily Fallen Into PovertyBuddha nature. Story about Uncle Mi and Dongshan discussing a rabbit crossing the road.Lotus Sutra story about the destitute child. Enlightenment and delusion. Human agency (or training) and... Buddha Nature, Koan, Enlightenment, Compassion, Practice, Work |
Jun 08 2019 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Compassion is a ConversationA conversation is what we are doing together. Buddhas are sitting upright and still, in the midst of everything, having a conversation with silence. The story of his Nanchuan and his sickle. Meeting... Compassion, Global Warming, Koan, Global Warming, Stillness, Ceremony |
Sep 15 2018 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #1Case 67 of the Book of Serenity; there is not a single sentient being who does not fully possess the wisdom of the enlightened mind. Flower Adornment Sutra, Koan, Book of Serenity, Book of Serenity, Forgiveness, Buddha... |
Apr 14 2018 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #1Flower Adornment Sutra, Koan, Book of Serenity, Wisdom, Love, Attachment |
Apr 14 2018 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Meditation - Sitting in the Middle of Fierce FlamesYRB-2018-Spring, Nirvana, Koan, Poetry |
Apr 03 2018 4 of 7 The Yoga Room |
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The Teaching of the Buddha’s Whole LifetimeYunmen's appropriate response; being Buddha right where you are: Master Ma being ready to die; Koan, Mindfulness, Delusion, Nirvana |
Aug 05 2017 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Stories as Pathways to Enlightenment Study, Meditation, Koan |
Jun 22 2014 |
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I always think of Hunan in SpringKoan, Perfection of Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Japan, Sangha, cognitive process... |
Apr 12 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Good Friendship of Shitou, Matsu and YaoshanShitou, Mazu, Yaoshan, Koan, Teacher-and-Student, Practice, Time, Buddha |
Feb 01 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Good Friendship of Shitou, Matsu and YaoshanShitou, Mazu, Yaoshan, Koan, Teacher-and-Student, Perfect Wisdom, Manjushri, Karmic... |
Feb 01 2014 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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The Work of Going Beyond BuddhaRealization in the body Observe, Koan, Mill Valley, Zazen |
Sep 21 2013 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Chick and Hen -- Inquiring and RespondingChick and Hen -- Inquiring and Responding Karmic consciousness. Living beings live in a story-telling world. That’s where... Karmic Consciousness, Koan, Lineage, Vimalakirti |
Jul 01 2012 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Letting Go: Freedom from Suffering Koan, Study, Yakusan |
Dec 06 2011 |
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Xiang Yan hears the sound of stones striking bamboo Duality, Blue Cliff Record, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Koan, Commitment |
Sep 10 2011 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Stories Intimacy, Koan, Interview, difficulty |
Apr 28 2011 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Stories Koan, Attachment, Mahayana |
Apr 14 2011 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Stories Koan, Time, Wisdom |
Apr 14 2011 |
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Zen Stories Koan, Manjushri, Separation, Buddha Ancestors, Conversation |
Apr 07 2011 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Stories Meditation, Koan, Intention |
Apr 07 2011 |
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Zen Stories Lineage, Koan, Intimacy, Mahayana, Japan |
Mar 17 2011 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Stories Koan, Study |
Mar 17 2011 |
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Zen Stories Koan, Lineage, Silence, Zenki, Letting Go |
Mar 10 2011 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Stories Koan, Silence, Stillness |
Mar 10 2011 |
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Embracing Buddha Beyond Fixed Form Doubt, Koan, Zazen |
Dec 10 2010 |
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The Unique Breeze of Reality and the Wondrous Function of Non-Dual Wisdom Emptiness, Precepts, Bodhisattva Precepts, Koan, Karmic Consciousness |
Aug 14 2010 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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The Unique Breeze of Reality and the Wondrous Function of Non-Dual Wisdom Emptiness, Faith, Koan, Lotus Sutra, Separation |
Aug 14 2010 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Precepts as Living Koans in Zen Precepts, Koan, Karmic Consciousness |
Oct 19 2009 |
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Entering and Embodying Truth Suzuki Roshi, Koan, Community, Sangha, Evil |
Jul 22 2008 The Yoga Room |
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Entering and Embodying Truth Stillness, Community, Koan |
Jul 22 2008 |
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Presence as the Ultimate Koan Koan, Soto Zen, Rinzai |
Aug 20 2006 |
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Genjo Koan Buddha, Practice, Koan |
Apr 14 2005 The Yoga Room |
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Genjo Koan Koan, Time, Practice |
Mar 31 2005 The Yoga Room |
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Interdependence: Embracing Our Shared Reality Koan, Interdependence, War |
2005 |
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TranquilitySerial: RA-00014 Fall 2003 Tassajara Practice Period. Meditation, Breath, Koan, Breath, Letting Go, Don't Know Mind, Discrimination... |
Oct 07 2003 Tassajara |
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Unveiling Samadhi: Balance and Insight Samadhi, Practice, Koan |
Jan 21 2002 Green Gulch Farm |
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Liberation Through Zen Containers Buddha, Koan, Time |
Jul 16 2001 |
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Zen Beyond Attachment Attachment, Koan, Bell |
Aug 14 2000 |
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Embracing the Art of Non-Abiding Bodhisattva, Buddha, Koan |
Jun 12 2000 |
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Riding the Donkey to Enlightenment Study, Koan, Work |
Nov 30 1998 |
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Transcending Thought: Zen Renewal Koan, Time, Buddha |
Nov 25 1998 |
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Miracles on the Zen Path Time, Work, Koan |
Jul 27 1998 |
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Koans as Lenses for Insight Blue Cliff Record, Buddha, Koan |
Jul 21 1998 |
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Dancing with the Dead Snake Work, Koan, Practice |
Jul 06 1998 |
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Wisdom Embodied: Koans in Zen Buddha, Koan, Study |
Feb 23 1998 |
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Intimacy in Unknowing: Zen's Essence Zazen, Koan, Religion |
Oct 30 1997 |
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Embodied Wisdom: Compassion Beyond Form Wisdom, Emptiness, Koan |
Jun 09 1997 |
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Renunciation as Path to Awakening Koan, Time, Work |
Jun 26 1995 |