The Berkeley Zen Center Audio Archive

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Showing 2941 talks

Title	Speaker	Date
Finding Yourself on Every Moment Serial: BZ-00005A Renewing Our Practice, Saturday Lecture The talk explores the theme of renewing and refreshing one's Zen practice, emphasizing the intrinsic link between daily practice, enlightenment, and self-awareness. Key points include the notion that enlightenment is not a... *Practice, Love, Enlightenment*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Mar 12 1983 Berkeley Zen Center
Blue Cliff Record: Case #43 Serial: BZ-00006B How Can We Avoid Heat and Cold?, Saturday Lecture BCR-43 This lecture discusses the Blue Cliff Record Case #43, where a monk asks Tozan Ryokai how to avoid heat and cold, illustrating the Zen teaching of embracing and becoming one with life's challenges rather than seeking to escape... Koan, Suffering, Pain, Anger	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Mar 05 1983 Berkeley Zen Center
Bodhisattva Ceremony: Renewing Our Way Serial: BZ-00006A Saturday Lecture The talk centers on the significance of the bodhisattva ceremony, emphasizing its purpose of recognizing one's karmic life and renewing vows to practice. The procedure involves understanding personal mind states and developing... Bodhisattva Ceremony, Practice, Effort, Time	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Feb 26 1983 Berkeley Zen Center
Importance of Attention to Form in Zen Practice Serial: BZ-00049B Sesshin Day 2 The talk elaborates on the concept of Shikantaza as a fundamental aspect of Zen practice, emphasizing its non-dual nature in which practitioners engage in "just sitting" without mental duality. This contrasts with koan study, yet... *Koan, Shikantaza, Practice*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Feb 20 1983 Berkeley Zen Center
Importance of Attention to Form in Zen Practice Serial: BZ-00049A Sesshin Day 1 The talk discusses the integral role of form in Zen practice, emphasizing the phrase "form is emptiness and emptiness is form" from the Heart Sutra. The practice involves meticulous attention to form, not for utilitarian purposes... *Practice, Zazen, Emptiness*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Feb 19 1983 Berkeley Zen Center
Mumonkan: Case #35 -- Seijo's Soul Separated Serial: BZ-00046B Unifying Body, Mind and the Way, Saturday Lecture MM-35 The talk examines the concept of unifying body and mind, and how this connects to understanding oneself and the world through a Zen lens. Drawing on "Mumonkan: Case #35," the discussion explores the illusion of separation between... Koan, Work, Practice, Study	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Jan 22 1983 Berkeley Zen Center
Posture: Gravity and Spirit Serial: BZ-00046A Saturday Lecture The lecture explores the balance of gravity and spirit in the context of zazen practice, emphasizing the importance of realizing the inherent unity of mind, body, and universe through sesshin (intensive meditation retreat). It... *Zazen, Time, difficulty*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Jan 15 1983 Berkeley Zen Center
Scientific Validation of Zazen Serial: BZ-00044B Saturday Lecture The discussion delves into the intersection of scientific research and Zen meditation practices, focusing on the brainwave studies conducted in the mid-20th century to validate the effects of Zazen (Zen meditation). It emphasizes... *Practice, Zazen, Meditation*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Jan 08 1983 Berkeley Zen Center
Home for the Holidays Practicing Our Koan: "What Is This?" Serial: BZ-00048B - *Religion, Precepts, Dana, Big Mind, Offering, Duality*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Dec 18 1982
Shakuhachi Blowing Serial: BZ-00047 Music - Bell, Rinzai, Dragons, Teacher-and-Student, Chanting, Happiness, Evil, War, Peace...	Robert Grouse	Nov 28 1982
Gakudo Yojin-Shu Section 8 Serial: BZ-00048A Conduct (understanding) Zazen Mind, Saturday Lecture - Gakudo Yojin-Shu, Birth-and-Death, Sixth Patriarch, Buddha Nature, true dharma, Posture,...	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Nov 27 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Gakudo Yojin-Shu Section 5 Serial: BZ-00044A Need to Find True Teacher, Saturday Lecture This talk discusses the importance of finding a true teacher in Zen practice, drawing heavily on Dogen Zenji's "Gakudo Yojin-shu" and several classic Zen anecdotes. It emphasizes that a genuine teacher transcends intellectual and... Gakudo Yojin-Shu, Practice, Joshu, Name	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Nov 20 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Ordination and the Bodhisattva Way Serial: BZ-00045B Saturday Lecture The talk introduces the significance of lay ordination (Jukai) at Berkeley Zen Center and explores the Bodhisattva ideal in Zen practice, emphasizing ordination not as a hierarchical step but as a confirmation of ongoing practice... Bodhisattva Vow, Suzuki Roshi, Lay Ordination, Ordination	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Nov 13 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Transient Nature of All Things and No-Self Serial: BZ-00045A Saturday Lecture The talk explores the transient nature of life and the concept of no-self in Buddhism, largely referencing Dogen's "Gakudo Yojinshu" to emphasize the importance of arousing the enlightened mind or bodhi mind for genuine practice... No-Self, Impermanence, Practice, Buddhism, Work	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Nov 06 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Practice is Enlightenment, Ridgepole Ceremony Serial: BZ-00043B Saturday Lecture This talk discusses the inherent relationship between practice and enlightenment, emphasizing that true understanding arises from continuous, intentional practice rather than merely conceptualizing enlightenment. Drawing on Dogen... *Practice, Enlightenment, Delusion*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Oct 30 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Dogen's Fukanzazengi and Practice Realization Serial: BZ-00043A Saturday Lecture The talk examines Dogen's "Fukanzazengi" as a foundational text promoting the principles of zazen, describing its practical focus alongside its inherent philosophical complexities. It dissects Dogen's commentary on non-duality,... *Practice, Enlightenment, Zazen*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Oct 23 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Relationship Between Teacher and Student Serial: BZ-00040B Saturday Lecture The talk focuses on the intricate dynamics between teacher and student within Zen practice, illustrated through the concept of 'sendaba'—a single term conveying multiple meanings dependent on context. This metaphor underscores... Teacher-and-Student, Practice, Enlightenment, Time	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Oct 09 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Women in Buddhism, Ordination Serial: BZ-00042 - *Ordination, Transmission, Lay, Precepts, Passions, Family Practice, Buddha Nature, American,...*	Pema Chödrön	Oct 04 1982
Pre-Practice versus Practice Serial: BZ-00040A The "Gap", Saturday Lecture The talk explores the concept of "pre-practice" versus "actual practice" in Zen, emphasizing the importance of total immersion in practice to achieve wholeness and completeness. The discussion highlights that practice is about... *Practice, Work, Time*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Oct 02 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
The Self-Centered Meets the Absolute Serial: BZ-00041B Sesshin Day 2 The talk explores the relationship between self-centeredness and the absolute, emphasizing how Zen practice integrates mindfulness into everyday actions and interactions. The discussion highlights the importance of harmonizing... *Practice, Zendo, Samadhi*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Sep 26 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Emptiness Means Interdependence Serial: BZ-00041A Sesshin Day 1 The talk explores themes of interdependence and emptiness within the framework of Zen practice, connecting the philosophical concepts to contemporary issues of global conflict and personal responses to tragedy, exemplified by the... *Zazen, Pain, Practice*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Sep 25 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Joshu: Wash Your Bowls Serial: BZ-00036B On Handling Activity, Saturday Lecture This talk explores the Buddhist approach to handling suffering by minimizing the self, highlighting the importance of introspection to uncover the true personality beyond ego. It delves into the concept of living in the present... *Practice, Freedom, Desire*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Sep 18 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Zen Practice, Psychotherapy, and Feminism Serial: BZ-00038 - *Culture, Zoom, Religion, Teacher-and-Student, Ego, Samadhi, Silence, Hate, Building, Intuition...*	Sonya Margolis	Sep 12 1982
Natural Zen and Buddhist Zen Serial: BZ-00039B Saturday Lecture The talk examines distinctions between natural Zen and Buddhist Zen practices, particularly in the American context, emphasizing the roles of monks, priests, and laypeople as they relate to Zen practice. One of the key... *Practice, Love, Time*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Sep 11 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Japanese Practice/American Practice: Differences Serial: BZ-00039A Saturday Lecture The talk examines the differences between Zen practice in Japan and America, focusing on the adaptation of traditional Japanese practices to fit the American context. It discusses various cultural dynamics, such as the... Japan, American, Lay Practice, Family Practice, Practice, Buddhism, japanese...	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Sep 04 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
August 21, 1982, Serial No 01528B Serial: BZ-01528B One-Day Sitting - Zendo, Sangha, Berkeley Zen Center, Building, Non-violence, Study Period, Karma, Happiness,...	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Aug 21 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Work Sesshin: Building the New Zendo Serial: BZ-00037B One day sitting lecture The talk focuses on the intricate connection between construction work on the new zendo and broader themes of mindfulness, respect for materials, and the societal tendency to discard the seemingly useless. It underscores the... *Work, Time, Zazen*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Aug 21 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Work Serial: BZ-00035 Saturday Lecture - *Building, Lay Practice, Enthusiasm, Mindfulness, Separation, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center,...*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Aug 14 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
August 7, 1982, Serial No. 01528A Serial: BZ-01528A Saturday Lecture - Peace, Non-violence, Current Events, Peace, Non-violence, Greed, War, Hate, Karma, Evil,...	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Aug 07 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
The Arms Race: Peace, Nonviolence, Aggression Serial: BZ-00037A Lecture The lecture addresses the consequences of the global arms race and emphasizes the role of karma and thoughts in shaping actions, referencing the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. It connects the momentum of weapon proliferation... *Practice, Peace, Greed*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Aug 07 1982
Blue Cliff Record: Case #80 Serial: BZ-00033 Does a Baby Have the 6th Consciousness?, Saturday Lecture - Consciousness, Storehouse Consciousness, Monastic Practice, Discrimination, Buddha Nature,...	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Jul 31 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Trust in One’s Self and the Eightfold Path Serial: BZ-01516B Saturday Lecture - *Heart Sutra, Mindfulness, Eight Aspects, Concentration, Aspects of Practice, Instruction,...*	Arnie Kotler	Jul 24 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Zazen Serial: BZ-00034B Posture, Attention, Resistance, Naming, One-Day Sitting The talk focuses on the practice of zazen, emphasizing posture and the ongoing process of harmonizing body and mind through meditation. It stresses the significance of maintaining a straight spine and balanced head position,... *Zazen, Posture, Pain*	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Jul 16 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Talk on the "Women in Buddhism" Conference Serial: BZ-00030A The talk addresses key discussions and activities from the "Women in Buddhism" conference, highlighting the exploration of women's roles and representations in Buddhist texts and practice. Central themes include the examination... *Practice, Buddha, Time*	Fran Tribe	Jul 12 1982
Meeting with Berkeley Zen Center Serial: BZ-00032 - *Lay, Sangha, Lay Practice, Buddha Mind, Soto Zen, Teacher-and-Student, Fundraising, American,...*	Deborah Hopkinson	Jul 08 1982
Blue Cliff Record: Case #35 Serial: BZ-00034A Manjushri's "3's" and "3's"; Nondiscrimination, Saturday Lecture BCR-35 The talk is centered around the exploration of the Blue Cliff Record, Case #35, "Manjushri's Threes and Threes," examining the nature of discernment in Zen practice and the concept of nondiscrimination. Through the tale involving... Non-discrimination, Koan, Manjushri, Practice, Buddhism	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Jul 03 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Mumonkan: Case #19 Serial: BZ-00036A "Nansen's Everyday Mind in the Way", Saturday Lecture MM-19 The talk explores the Zen principle that "ordinary mind is the way," focusing on Case #19 from the Mumonkan, where Joshu seeks guidance from Nansen. The discussion emphasizes the contrast between the "bright" and "dark" sides of... Nansen, Absolute-and-Relative, Koan, Practice, Ordinary Mind, Nansen	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Jun 26 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
The Heart of Practice Prajna as Compassionate Wisdom Serial: BZ-00030B Remembering our deepest intention; noble friendship is the entirety of spiritual life; connection between Berkeley ZC and San Francisco ZC. The talk emphasizes the importance of noble friendship as central to spiritual life, reflecting on the historical and cultural evolution of ordination and practice within Zen Buddhism. It underscores prajna, or compassionate... *Suzuki Roshi, Practice, Time*	Ananda Dalenberg	Jun 11 1982
Mindfulness and Care: Adapting to Conditions Serial: BZ-01516A Sesshin - Mindfulness, Lay Practice, Composure, Lay, Bell, Daily Life, Non-discrimination,...	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Jun 01 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Women's Practice Serial: BZ-00031 - *Family Practice, Enthusiasm, Transmission, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Culture, Instruction...*	Zenkei Blanche Hartman	May 30 1982
Problems in Practice Serial: BZ-00008B Calm Mind in Daily Activities, Saturday Lecture The talk focuses on the Zen practice of character development over problem-solving, especially how challenges in daily life serve as opportunities for personal growth and deepening one's practice. It emphasizes the need to... Daily Life, Practice, Zazen, Time	Sojun Mel Weitsman	May 28 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Blue Cliff Record: Case #17 Serial: BZ-00029B "Sitting Long and Getting Tired", Sesshin Day 5 BCR-17 The talk focuses on Case #17 from the Blue Cliff Record, titled "Sitting Long and Getting Tired," exploring the philosophical interpretations of the Zen koan regarding Bodhidharma’s journey from the West. The discussion... Composure, Zazen, Koan, Samadhi, First Principle, Time	Sojun Mel Weitsman	May 23 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Fundraising for the New Zendo Serial: BZ-00007B What is Our Basis?, Sesshin Day 4 The talk discusses the ongoing efforts to fundraise and build a new Zendo, emphasizing the collective responsibility and shared practice of the community. It highlights the necessity of safety measures, reflecting on past... Fundraising, Zendo, Berkeley Zen Center, Sangha, Samadhi, difficulty, Zendo	Sojun Mel Weitsman	May 22 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Vigor During Sesshin Serial: BZ-00007A Soto and Rinzai Practice Compared, Sesshin Day 3 The talk explores the vigorous practices observed during a sesshin at a Zen center, contrasting the formality of Soto Zen with the more relaxed approach of Rinzai Zen. The importance of maintaining energy and precision during... Sesshin, Soto Zen, Rinzai, Practice, Time, Soto Zen	Sojun Mel Weitsman	May 21 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Essence of Mind: The Fifth Paramita Serial: BZ-00008A Subject and Object--Buddhanature, Saturday Lecture The lecture explores the fifth paramita, dhyana, equating it with prajna (wisdom) and samadhi (concentration), essential concepts in realizing Buddha nature or true nature. Emphasis is placed on Zazen meditation as a practice... Subject-and-Object, Duality, Buddha Nature, Buddha Nature, Buddha, Practice	Sojun Mel Weitsman	May 15 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Japanese Zen Practice in America Serial: BZ-00029A The talk explores the adaptation of Japanese Zen practice within the American context, touching on cultural variations in meditation postures, the integration of Zen Buddhist principles, and the unique evolution of Zen centers in... Meditation, Alan Watts, Buddha Nature, Buddha, Time, Buddhism	Phillip Whalen	May 07 1982
Composure: The Third Paramita Serial: BZ-00009B Saturday Lecture The talk explores the concept of composure as the third paramita in Buddhist practice, using the metaphor of managing money and daily activities as described in a poem. The narrative illustrates how the relentless pursuit of... Kshanti, Work, Composure, Practice	Sojun Mel Weitsman	May 01 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Effort: The Fourth Paramita (Virya) Serial: BZ-00009A Blue Cliff Record: Case #5(?) "Beating the Drum", Saturday Lecture This talk explores the concept of effort (virya), the fourth paramita in Mahayana Buddhism, using the Blue Cliff Record's Case 44, "Beating the Drum," to illustrate the balance between learning, practice, and understanding in Zen... Virya, Koan, Practice, Buddha, Time	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Apr 24 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Bodhisattva Ceremony Recording Serial: BZ-00010A Recording of BZC's monthly Bodhisattva Ceremony. The Kokyo is Fran Tribe. - Bodhisattva Ceremony, Bodhisattva Way, Hate, Greed, Karma		Apr 18 1982 Berkeley Zen Center
Practicing Wholeheartedly with Change Serial: BZ-00010B Saturday lecture. The talk explores Dogen's perspective on the practice of zazen by both laypeople and monks, highlighting the inclusivity and universal accessibility of Buddhist practice. The discourse references historical examples, such as... Attachment, Lay Practice, Bendowa, Impermanence, Practice, Lay, Zazen	Sojun Mel Weitsman	Apr 18 1982 Berkeley Zen Center

The Berkeley Zen Center Audio Archive

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