Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Sensei

Women, Buddhism, and Your Own True Being

What is the role of gender in spiritual practice? In this discourse, Shugen Sensei looks at the profound interdependence of male and female, and at Buddhism’s painful history of marginalizing women. Exploring the karma of this past, he emphasizes that each one of us must learn who we are for ourselves, and let the truth of our being radiate in the ten directions.

The koan in this talk is “Manjusri and the Young Woman in Samadhi,” Case 42 from the Gateless Gate. It was given at ZCNYC on November 12, 2011.

Alternative Radio

Wall Street and the Common Good

David Korten, author of “When Corporations Rule the World,” “The Great Turning” and “Agenda for a New Economy” looks at the Occupy Wall Street movement as a sign of a larger discontent with capitalism and our current system which privileges a few over the many. He points out the irony that here in an apparent paragon of democracy, we are looking to uprisings in the Middle East for inspiration.

Sounds from Zen Mountain

Fusatsu with Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Sensei

Fusatsu is a ceremony in which we renew our vows; regardless of whether we have formally received the Buddhist Precepts, or if it’s our first time doing zazen, everyone participates. In the midst of a ceremony full of chanting and bowing, everything becomes still and quiet as the officiant offers a brief talk for the occasion. This hour of programming begins with the Fusatsu talk Shugen Sensei gave on December 31^st, 2011, as part of our New Year’s Entering Ceremony, and is followed by a recording of the chanting service.

Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, Sensei

The Jewel Inside

It’s easy to get attached to the forms of spiritual practice. It’s even easier to imagine that enlightenment lies in some special kind of experience. In this dharma discourse, Ryushin Sensei challenges us to let go of all the trappings of practice, all our ideas of liberation, and discover what’s already true.

The koan in this talk is “Yunmen’s Within There is a Jewel,” Case 62 from the Blue Cliff Record. It was given at ZMM on November 27th, 2011.

John Daido Loori, Roshi

There’s No Payoff

When we practice generosity, it’s easy to turn our actions into something special—thereby elevating ourselves, however subtly, above those we mean to help. But as Daido Roshi emphasizes, doing good is not the same as true compassion. In true compassion, giver and receiver merge; in responding to the cries of the world, the Bodhisattva of Compassion always takes a form that is indistinguishable from the person being helped.

The koan in this talk is “The Twelve-faced Guan-yin,” from the Koans of the Way of Reality. It was given at ZMM on Dec 19, 2004.

Crossing Paths

Photography & Kyudo

Don Symanski, a longtime Buddhist practitioner and kyudo master speaks with MRO student Shoju Greenwood about his twin passions of photography and Zen archery. Don and Shoju discuss some fascinating areas of overlap between these disciplines, looking at tension and release, form and spirit, beginner’s mind and mastery, and how we can use the arts to better know ourselves. Don spoke with Shoju in October 2011.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Sensei

Women, Buddhism, and Your Own True Being

What is the role of gender in spiritual practice? In this discourse, Shugen Sensei looks at the profound interdependence of male and female, and at Buddhism’s painful history of marginalizing women. Exploring the karma of this past, he emphasizes that each one of us must learn who we are for ourselves, and let the truth of our being radiate in the ten directions.

The koan in this talk is “Manjusri and the Young Woman in Samadhi,” Case 42 from the Gateless Gate. It was given at ZCNYC on November 12, 2011.

John Daido Loori, Roshi

There’s No Payoff

When we practice generosity, it’s easy to turn our actions into something special—thereby elevating ourselves, however subtly, above those we mean to help. But as Daido Roshi emphasizes, doing good is not the same as true compassion. In true compassion, giver and receiver merge; in responding to the cries of the world, the Bodhisattva of Compassion always takes a form that is indistinguishable from the person being helped.

The koan in this talk is “The Twelve-faced Guan-yin,” from the Koans of the Way of Reality. It was given at ZMM on Dec 19, 2004.

Philip’s Hat

February and a Sunday kind of love, with a bow to the great Etta James.

Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, Sensei

The Jewel Inside

It’s easy to get attached to the forms of spiritual practice. It’s even easier to imagine that enlightenment lies in some special kind of experience. In this dharma discourse, Ryushin Sensei challenges us to let go of all the trappings of practice, all our ideas of liberation, and discover what’s already true.

The koan in this talk is “Yunmen’s Within There is a Jewel,” Case 62 from the Blue Cliff Record. It was given at ZMM on November 27th, 2011.

Opening the Gate

Women & Monasticism, part 5

with Bonnie Myotai Treace Sensei, Monja Coen Sensei, and Ajahn Sundara

Join three prominent Buddhist teachers, Bonnie Myotai Treace Sensei (Daido Roshi’s first successor), Monja Coen Sensei and Venerable Ajahn Sundara as they reflect on their paths as ordained monastics and on the role of women within Buddhism more generally. Recorded from retreat sessions at Zen Mountain Monastery in 2003.

CDs and downloadable mp3s of this retreat are available for sale at The Monastery Store.

Opening the Gate…Continued

Women & Monasticism, part 6

with Bonnie Myotai Treace Sensei, Monja Coen Sensei, and Ajahn Sundara

Join three prominent Buddhist teachers, Bonnie Myotai Treace Sensei (Daido Roshi’s first successor), Monja Coen Sensei and Venerable Ajahn Sundara as they reflect on their paths as ordained monastics and on the role of women within Buddhism more generally. Recorded from retreat sessions at Zen Mountain Monastery in 2003.
CDs and downloadable mp3s of this retreat are available for sale at The Monastery Store.