This talk comes in response to the winning bid for the “teisho takeover” opportunity that was part of Mountain Cloud’s 40th anniversary celebration auction. The topic proposed: ‘How does the Christian notion of grace relate to or resonate with the teachings of Buddhism?’ In her talk, Valerie draws on theological resources to look into the question, ‘What is grace?’ And she explores the question, ‘Is there a corollary in our practice?’
The talk touches on the first noble truth, then turns to a koan – the language of awakening. In case 89 of the Shoyoroku or Book of Equanimity, Master Tozan Gohon (Dongshan) addresses his assembly at the end of an extended period of practice: “When you go out the gate, you must go directly to the place of no grass.” No grass, no concepts, no delusion, no separation. Is there such a place? And if not, what grace is this – to live and move in a boundless landscape where, simultaneously, it’s all grass.
Recorded on October 16th, 2025
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