Zazen Talks

Zazen is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary practice of the Zen Buddhist tradition.

The generalized Japanese term for meditation is 瞑想 (meisō); however, zazen has been used informally to include all forms of seated Buddhist meditation. The term zuòchán can be found in early Chinese Buddhist sources, such as the Dhyāna sutras. For example, the famous translator Kumārajīva (344-413) translated a work termed Zuòchán sān mēi jīng (A Manual on the Samādhi of Sitting Meditation) and the Chinese Tiantai master Zhiyi (538–597 CE) wrote some very influential works on sitting meditation.

The meaning and method of zazen varies from school to school, but in general it is a quiet type of Buddhist meditation done in a sitting posture like the lotus position. The practice can be done with various methods, such as following the breath (anapanasati), mentally repeating a phrase (which could be a koan, a mantra, a huatou or nianfo) and a kind of open monitoring in which one is aware of whatever comes to our attention (sometimes called shikantaza or silent illumination). Repeating a huatou, a short meditation phrase, is a common method in Chinese Chan and Korean Seon. Meanwhile, nianfo, the practice of silently reciting the Buddha Amitabha's name, is common in the traditions influenced by Pure Land practice, and was also taught by Chan masters like Zongmi.

In the Japanese Buddhist Rinzai school, zazen is usually combined with the study of koans. The Japanese Sōtō school makes less or no use of koans, preferring an approach known as shikantaza where the mind has no object at all.

From zazen on Wikipedia

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Stories of Enlightenment

In our class this fall we will contemplate and converse about several stories of Zen practice and enlightenment. Our contemplation and conversations will naturally bring up questions and concerns...

YRB-2019-Fall, confusion, Book of Serenity, Discrimination, Zazen, resistance...
Oct 03 2019
1/7
The Yoga Room

Teachings for the Welfare of the World

In this summer series, teachings will be offered for those who aspire to embrace and sustain the great earth and all living beings in order to realize peace and freedom in our troubled world.
...

YRB-2019-Summer, Silence, Transmission, true dharma, Religion, Passions, Suzuki Roshi...
Jul 02 2019
2/7
The Yoga Room

Awakening Lives In Silence And Stillness

In the midst of stillness there is the awakened activity of liberating beings; lovingkindness and politics; becoming Buddha by realizing causation; not being possessive of anything, even the dharma,...

Lovingkindness, Zazen, Cause-and-Effect, Liberation,
Jan 02 2017
AM
No Abode Hermitage

The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s House

Lotus Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Faith, Zazen, Perfect Wisdom, Bell, Samadhi
Jun 11 2016
AM
No Abode Hermitage

A Lotus Sutra Narrative of the Bodhisattva Path

Lotus Sutra, Vow, Gaining Mind, Faith, Dharma Transmission, Zazen, causation,...
May 07 2016
AM
No Abode Hermitage

Following through with the Dung Shoveling

Compassion, Zazen, Priest, Faith, Bodhisattva Vow, Suzuki Roshi, japanese, Intimacy...
May 07 2016
PM
No Abode Hermitage

Zen Meditation as the Bodhisattva Precepts

Compassion, Wisdom, Precepts, Bodhisattva Precepts, Zazen, Sanctuary, Zendo, Observe...
Oct 11 2014
PM
No Abode Hermitage

The Work of Going Beyond Buddha

Realization in the body
Going Beyond Buddha
Sept 2013 PM No Abode

Observe, Big Mind, Mill Valley, Describe, Passions, Zazen, Priest, Japan
Sep 21 2013
Afternoon
No Abode Hermitage

Sitting in the Big, Invisible World

Zazen, Priest, Suzuki Roshi, practicing generosity, Continuous, Zendo, Patience...
Jun 22 2013
Morning
No Abode Hermitage

Stimulating Bodhisattva's courage and entering reality 

Observe, Rinzai, Gratitude, Bodhisattva Vow, Enemies, Japan, Bodhidharma, Religion,...
Oct 15 2011
Afternoon
No Abode Hermitage

The Basic Practice of Stillness and Silence 

Silence, Impermanence, Attachment, Manjushri, lecture, Bodhidharma, American, Evil,...
Feb 12 2011
No Abode Hermitage

Training for the Selfless Heart 

zen meditation, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Perfect Wisdom, Patience, Separation, Fox,...
Mar 18 2010
The Yoga Room

On Enlightenment and Delusion 

Bowing, American, Gratitude, Buddha Nature, Zazen, resistance, confusion, Desire,...
Dec 02 2009
The Yoga Room

Leaving Home and Receiving the Precepts 

Bodhisattva Precepts, Lotus Sutra, Commitment, Karmic Consciousness, Priest, Bell,...
Sep 26 2009
Afternoon
No Abode Hermitage

Causation and Non-Self 

Evil, Attachment, Lineage, Faith, Doubt, Zazen, confusion, Japan, Patience, War...
Mar 26 2009
The Yoga Room

Revealing the Intention of the Buddha

Samdhinirmochana Mahayana Sutra Chapter 1

resistance, Zazen, Demons, Perfect Wisdom, Suzuki Roshi, War, Culture, Enemies,...
Mar 21 2009
Morning
No Abode Hermitage