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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.

From zazen on Wikipedia

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Continued Exploration of the Bodhisattva's Samadhi

A 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

Entering the Samadhi of Buddha’s Radiance

A 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

Zen Meditation on Our Original Nature, Class 8

In 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

Zen Meditation on Our Original Nature, Class 1

In 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

Zen's Silent Symphony of Practice

Buddha, Practice, Zazen
Jan 19 2023

Zen Compassion: Uniting All Beings

Buddha Mind, Zazen, Intimacy
Nov 12 2022

Unified Compassion Through Zazen Practice

Zazen, Delusion, Posture
Oct 17 2022

Embodying Buddha: Living Compassionately Today

Vow, Emptiness, Zazen
Sep 24 2022

Zazen: The Heart of Enlightenment

Zazen, Karmic Consciousness, Karma
Jan 2022

Protecting and Liberating All Beings

A residential weekend retreat at Mount Madonna.

MtMadonna-2021-Fall, Compassion, Intimacy, Observe, Zazen, Bodhidharma, American...
Nov 19 2021
Mount Madonna Center

Unity in Zazen: Personal and Universal

Zazen, Effort, Vow
May 05 2021

Buddhas Together in Meditation Harmony

Lotus Sutra, Meditation, Zazen
Mar 24 2021

Rowing the Boat of Compassion

Delusion, Mindfulness, Zazen
Feb 07 2020

Imperceptible Harmony Through Just Sitting

Zazen, Delusion, Mindfulness
Feb 06 2020

Awakening Through Compassionate Practice

Delusion, Enlightenment, Zazen
Feb 05 2020

Unseen Harmony in Zen Practice

Discrimination, Zazen, Pain
Jan 2020

Vibrant Awakening Through Sesshin

Delusion, Zazen, Sesshin
Jan 2020

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
Oct 03 2019
1/7
The Yoga Room

Unbroken Conversations Realize Buddha Way

Zazen, Mindfulness, Delusion
Jul 21 2019

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, Religion, Passions, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen,...
Jul 02 2019
2/7
The Yoga Room

Universal Zazen: Living the Dharma

Zazen, Buddha Mind, Zendo
Mar 25 2019

Endless Liberation Through Conversation

Zazen, Liberation, Zendo
Mar 18 2019

Zazen: The Heart of Awakening

Practice, Zazen, Buddha
Mar 07 2019

Living Enlightenment Through Everyday Actions

Zazen, Posture, Patience
Feb 28 2019

Embodying Enlightenment Through Everyday Zazen

Zazen, Concentration, Letting Go
Feb 23 2019

Breath, Mind, and Zen Unity

Bodhidharma, Transmission, Zazen
Jan 25 2018

Zazen: Life's Unfolding Pivotal Practice

Zazen, Buddha Mind, true dharma
Jan 08 2018

Evolving Journeys in Zen Practice

Bodhidharma, Zazen, Dogen
2018

Buddha’s Zazen is Face-to-Face Transmission

The 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

Watch the Set-Up Carefully

Zazen, Sangha, Posture
Nov 11 2017
PM

Infinite Embrace in Finite Life

Transmission, Instruction, Zazen
Aug 27 2017

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, causation, Lovingkindness, Fox...
Jan 02 2017
AM
No Abode Hermitage

Awakening Through Intimate Transmission

Zazen, Transmission, Stillness
Dec 07 2016

Silent Stillness, Perfect Enlightenment

Zazen, Stillness, Transmission
Dec 05 2016

Zazen: The Art of Stillness

Zazen, Mindfulness, Stillness
Nov 03 2016

Zazen: The Heart of Transformation

Stillness, Zazen, Complete Perfect Enlightenment
Oct 27 2016

Oxherding Journey: From Crisis to Enlightenment

Samsara, resistance, Zazen
Oct 24 2016

Since You Cannot Waste Time, Don’t

Wisdom, Karmic Consequences, Consciousness, Rumi, Karmic Consequences, cognitive...
Oct 08 2016
AM
No Abode Hermitage

Pivotal Presence: Embracing Zazen Mind

Karmic Consciousness, Zazen, Chanting
Aug 27 2016

Zazen: Subtle Knots of Knowing

Consciousness, Zazen, Book of Serenity
Aug 26 2016

Listening to Dharma's Compassionate Cries

Zazen, true dharma, Meditation
Aug 25 2016

Embrace Stillness, Sustain Consciousness

Stillness, Zazen, Buddha Mind
Aug 24 2016

The Unceasing Effort to Free All Beings

Compassion, Separation, Zazen, Nirvana
Aug 06 2016
AM
No Abode Hermitage

The Unceasing Effort to Free All Beings

Consciousness, Separation, Zazen
Aug 06 2016
AM

The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s House

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

The Pivotal Business of Buddha’s House

Lotus Sutra, Zazen, Faith
Jun 11 2016
AM

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, Suzuki Roshi, Japan, Intimacy
May 07 2016
PM
No Abode Hermitage

Embracing Suchness in Zen Practice

Samadhi, Zazen, Letting Go
Jan 21 2016

Cultivating Non-Thinking: Beyond Gain

Samadhi, Consciousness, Zazen
Jan 13 2016

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