Teachings
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Blue Cliff Record 69, Nansen Draws a Circle
March 12, 20151 min read
Episode Description: This talk delineates the classic koan, Nansen Draws a Circle, Blue Cliff Record Case 69. Roshi Henry describes the brilliant craziness of this koan and draws on wisdom from Dogen’s Genjokoan. The talk explores both the substance and function of the “nameless fact” and concludes by describing Zen’s healing power. Image Credit:This Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons image is from the user Chris 73 and is freely available here under the creative commons cc-by-sa 3.0 license. Featured Image Credit:By Tangopaso (Own work) [Public domain],...
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Guest Message from Ruben Habito
March 10, 20154 min read
We...are called to an encounter with that which is both so close to us that we can't see it and so far away that we can never reach it. This week we have some words from Roshi Ruben Habito’s recent new book, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises. Ruben was educated within the Jesuit Order in the Philippines, then joined the order as a young man and was sent to Japan, where he found his way, via...
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Blue Cliff Record 68, Kyozan and Your Name
March 5, 20151 min read
Episode Description: Continuing with the Blue Cliff Record, Henry presents Case 68, Kyozan and Your Name. The talk explores the point of Zen and shows how each of us is born perfect and complete. Henry relates the experience of kensho or sudden realization and explores the idea of no separation, asking the question: Is there a me and a you?. Image Credit: Evalynn, by Ray Duma, CC By-SA 2.0, from flickr.com Featured Image Credit: Baby, by Galloo, CCO...
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Blue Cliff Record 67, Fu Daishi Expounds the Sutra
February 26, 20151 min read
Episode Description: This compelling talk, given in our zendo under the light of the full moon, explores Case 67 of the Blue Cliff Record. In a hushed atmosphere, Roshi Henry talks about Fu Daishi’s surprising sutra presentation. We see that words and other symbols only point to reality, but are not the reality themselves. The talk includes wisdom from Harada Roshi and encourages resolute practice that uncovers unimagined treasures. Featured Image Credit: from Mountain Cloud Image Archives...
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