Teachings
You can find all of our weekly Dharma talks for free right here on this page, as well as on our YouTube channel and podcast. Live talks take place every Thursday from 5:30–7:00pm MT, both in-person and on Zoom (sit.mountaincloud.org — password: mountain22). Members receive access to some special archival materials.
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Interview by Sweeping Zen with David Loy, Part 1
April 18, 20167 min read
Yes, all form is empty, but emptiness is always taking form. Sweeping Zen: This question gets asked a lot, but, how did you first get started with Zen practice? David Loy: In 1971 I was living in Hawaii, sometimes hanging out with a friend in Waikiki who heard about a zendo near the University called Koko An. We went there one evening and after the sitting learned that the following weekend there would be a...
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Bodhi Tree
April 15, 20161 min read
The body is the Bodhi tree, The mind is like a clear mirror. At all times we must strive to polish it, And must not let the dust collect. Shenxiu, according to Huineng, the sixth Patriarch of Zen Bodhi originally has no tree The mirror also has no stand. Buddha nature is always clear and pure; Where is the room for dust? -Huineng Poem taken from Zen Poems, Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets, 1999 Image:...
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Teisho: Bodhidharma’s Zen Part 1 of 2
April 14, 20161 min read
Description: In this talk, Henry explores the origins of zen as it moved from India, to China and finally Japan. This penetrating teisho grounds us in Bodhidharma’s view of zen which is rooted in four simple but profound characteristics: a special mind to mind transmission outside scripture; not relying on words and letters; directly pointing to the human mind; and becoming Buddha. Henry discusses Bodhidharma’s Outline of Practice, or the “Two Gates” to entry which are...
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Mountain Cloud Photo Gallery
April 8, 20161 min read
Enjoy these images of our zendo. Photos taken by Cherie Manifest, used with her permission. On the stone a name is inscribed. What is the name? Stop the sound of the distant bell. Emptiness Wisdom, compassion, equanimity All people have their own place of birth in Karma. What is your...
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Teisho: Book of Equanimity Case 21, Ungan Sweeps the Ground
April 7, 20162 min read
Description: Case 21, Book of Equanimity: Ungan Sweeps the Ground When Ungan was sweeping the ground, Dôgo said, "You are working hard, aren’t you.” Ungan said, "You should know there is one who does not work hard." Dôgo said, “Is that so? You mean there is a second moon?" Ungan raised his bamboo broom and said, “What number moon is this?" Dôgo was silent. Gensha said, "That is precisely the second moon." Unmon said, "The man-servant greets...
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Ninth and Tenth Oxherding Pictures, by Ruben Habito
April 4, 20164 min read
The ninth stage is described as a return to the source. Now, after having forgotten both my “self” and the “world” (that is, what is thought to be “outside of myself,” what emerges? There’s a bamboo shoot. There is a plum blossom. There is a rock beside a gently flowing stream. Beyond that we don’t see anything. This is just the realization of the way things are, as they are, in their naturalness. It is...
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Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Oxherding Pictures, by Ruben Habito
April 1, 20162 min read
The sixth stage is riding the ox home. We are now able to feel that we are on our way home. We can ride the ox and it doesn’t try to jump and throw us away like a bucking bronco anymore. It is now fully one with us, and we are comfortable riding the ox. But still, there is more to come. The seventh stage is about forgetting the...
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Teisho: Book of Equanimity Case 20, Jizo’s “Most Intimate”
March 31, 20162 min read
“Real spirituality is about going beyond who we think we are” Description: Case 20, Book of Equanimity: Jizô's "Most Intimate" Jizô asked Hôgen, "Where are you going, senior monk?" Hôgen said, "I am on pilgrimage, following the wind." Jizô said, "What are you on pilgrimage for?" Hôgen said, "I don't know." Jizô said, "Not knowing is most intimate." Hôgen suddenly attained great enlightenment. Henry explores “Not knowing is most intimate.” There are two kinds not-knowing in Zen: first...
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Fourth and Fifth Oxherding Pictures, by Ruben Habito
March 28, 20162 min read
The fourth stage is now the catching of the ox. After having sighted it we go closer to it and are maybe even able to lasso it and as the picture in one version shows, the little child holds a rope around the ox’s neck. Now, we have the ox closer at hand. But still the ox is unwieldy and it can still run away from us. It is still not under control. We have...
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