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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.
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Continued Exploration of the Bodhisattva's SamadhiA talk given to the No Abode Community on September 9th, 2023. Begins with a brief overview of Books One and Two. In Book Three, Samantabhadra, Samadhi, Avatamsaka Sutra, Flower Adornment Sutra, Zazen, Priest, Evil... |
Sep 09 2023 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Entering the Samadhi of Buddha’s RadianceA talk by Tenshin Roshi for a gathering of the No Abode community Flower Adornment Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra, Katagiri Roshi, Suzuki Roshi, Tassajara Zen Mountain... |
Aug 12 2023 No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Meditation on Our Original Nature, Class 8In this series of gatherings we will explore and perhaps realize our original nature, and how to apply such a discovery to all of our daily activities. YRB-2023-Spring, Original Nature, Sangha, Zazen, Gratitude, Darkness-and-Light... |
May 09 2023 8 of 8 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Meditation on Our Original Nature, Class 1In this series of gatherings we will explore and perhaps realize our original nature, and how to apply such a discovery to all of our daily activities. YRB-2023-Spring, Original Nature, Emotions, War, Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Zazen,... |
Mar 21 2023 1 of 8 The Yoga Room |
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Zen's Silent Symphony of Practice Buddha, Practice, Zazen |
Jan 19 2023 |
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Zen Compassion: Uniting All Beings Buddha Mind, Zazen, Intimacy |
Nov 12 2022 |
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Unified Compassion Through Zazen Practice Zazen, Delusion, Posture |
Oct 17 2022 |
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Embodying Buddha: Living Compassionately Today Vow, Emptiness, Zazen |
Sep 24 2022 |
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Zazen: The Heart of Enlightenment Zazen, Karmic Consciousness, Karma |
Jan 2022 |
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Protecting and Liberating All BeingsA residential weekend retreat at Mount Madonna. MtMadonna-2021-Fall, Compassion, Intimacy, Observe, Zazen, Bodhidharma, American... |
Nov 19 2021 Mount Madonna Center |
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Unity in Zazen: Personal and Universal Zazen, Effort, Vow |
May 05 2021 |
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Buddhas Together in Meditation Harmony Lotus Sutra, Meditation, Zazen |
Mar 24 2021 |
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Rowing the Boat of Compassion Delusion, Mindfulness, Zazen |
Feb 07 2020 |
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Imperceptible Harmony Through Just Sitting Zazen, Delusion, Mindfulness |
Feb 06 2020 |
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Awakening Through Compassionate Practice Delusion, Enlightenment, Zazen |
Feb 05 2020 |
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Unseen Harmony in Zen Practice Discrimination, Zazen, Pain |
Jan 2020 |
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Vibrant Awakening Through Sesshin Delusion, Zazen, Sesshin |
Jan 2020 |
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Stories of EnlightenmentIn 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 |
Oct 03 2019 1/7 The Yoga Room |
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Unbroken Conversations Realize Buddha Way Zazen, Mindfulness, Delusion |
Jul 21 2019 |
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Teachings for the Welfare of the WorldIn 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, Religion, Passions, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen,... |
Jul 02 2019 2/7 The Yoga Room |
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Universal Zazen: Living the Dharma Zazen, Buddha Mind, Zendo |
Mar 25 2019 |
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Endless Liberation Through Conversation Zazen, Liberation, Zendo |
Mar 18 2019 |
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Zazen: The Heart of Awakening Practice, Zazen, Buddha |
Mar 07 2019 |
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Living Enlightenment Through Everyday Actions Zazen, Posture, Patience |
Feb 28 2019 |
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Embodying Enlightenment Through Everyday Zazen Zazen, Concentration, Letting Go |
Feb 23 2019 |
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Breath, Mind, and Zen Unity Bodhidharma, Transmission, Zazen |
Jan 25 2018 |
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Zazen: Life's Unfolding Pivotal Practice Zazen, Buddha Mind, true dharma |
Jan 08 2018 |
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Evolving Journeys in Zen Practice Bodhidharma, Zazen, Dogen |
2018 |
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Buddha’s Zazen is Face-to-Face TransmissionThe personal practice of paying attention to the posture of samadhi; mindfulness of breathing; remembering stillness as transmitted by the ancestors; Transmission, Zazen, Sangha, Posture |
Nov 11 2017 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Watch the Set-Up Carefully Zazen, Sangha, Posture |
Nov 11 2017 PM |
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Infinite Embrace in Finite Life Transmission, Instruction, Zazen |
Aug 27 2017 |
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Awakening Lives In Silence And StillnessIn 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, causation, Lovingkindness, Fox... |
Jan 02 2017 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Awakening Through Intimate Transmission Zazen, Transmission, Stillness |
Dec 07 2016 |
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Silent Stillness, Perfect Enlightenment Zazen, Stillness, Transmission |
Dec 05 2016 |
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Zazen: The Art of Stillness Zazen, Mindfulness, Stillness |
Nov 03 2016 |
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Zazen: The Heart of Transformation Stillness, Zazen, Complete Perfect Enlightenment |
Oct 27 2016 |
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Oxherding Journey: From Crisis to Enlightenment Samsara, resistance, Zazen |
Oct 24 2016 |
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Since You Cannot Waste Time, Don’tWisdom, Karmic Consequences, Consciousness, Rumi, Karmic Consequences, cognitive... |
Oct 08 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Pivotal Presence: Embracing Zazen Mind Karmic Consciousness, Zazen, Chanting |
Aug 27 2016 |
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Zazen: Subtle Knots of Knowing Consciousness, Zazen, Book of Serenity |
Aug 26 2016 |
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Listening to Dharma's Compassionate Cries Zazen, true dharma, Meditation |
Aug 25 2016 |
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Embrace Stillness, Sustain Consciousness Stillness, Zazen, Buddha Mind |
Aug 24 2016 |
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The Unceasing Effort to Free All BeingsCompassion, Separation, Zazen, Nirvana |
Aug 06 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Unceasing Effort to Free All Beings Consciousness, Separation, Zazen |
Aug 06 2016 AM |
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The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s HouseLotus Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Faith, Zazen, Perfect Wisdom, Bell, Samadhi |
Jun 11 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s House Lotus Sutra, Zazen, Faith |
Jun 11 2016 AM |
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A Lotus Sutra Narrative of the Bodhisattva PathLotus Sutra, Vow, Gaining Mind, Faith, Dharma Transmission, Zazen, causation,... |
May 07 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Following through with the Dung ShovelingCompassion, Zazen, Priest, Faith, Suzuki Roshi, Japan, Intimacy |
May 07 2016 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Embracing Suchness in Zen Practice Samadhi, Zazen, Letting Go |
Jan 21 2016 |
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Cultivating Non-Thinking: Beyond Gain Samadhi, Consciousness, Zazen |
Jan 13 2016 |