Goal vs Direction: Zazen is Not About Progress
On June 12, 2022, after meditation we listened to a Dharma talk - "Zazen is Not About Progress" - from Shōhaku Okumura about the difference between a goal and a…
The Basics: From Sitting Postures to Mindful Eating
On May 8, 2022, after meditation, we shared a collection of short talks by Chozen Bays Roshi with practical advice on the most basic practice how-tos: "From Sitting Postures to…
Adversity, Path of Awakening
On April 10, 2022, after meditation, we shared a talk on the Tibetan Lojong teaching of: "Turning Adversity Into the Path of Awakening" by Fred Eppsteiner. In his talk, Fred also…
The Role of Bhikkhunīs
On March 13, 2022, after meditation, we honored Women History Month by sharing a talk from Ven. Tathālokā on the topic of "The Role of Bhikkhunis." After meditation, we briefly shared the…
Mindfulness : “Freedom from Being Caught in the Past or the Future”
On February 13, 2022, after meditation, we met online for a Teachers’ Corner session to learn from the recently departed Zen Master Thich Nhất Hạnh about the practice of “Mindfulness”.…
The Four Great Vows
On January 9, 2022, after meditation, we studied the topic of "The Four Great Vows." Before watching the Dharma Talk by Zen Master Bon Soeng on The Four Great Vows,…
Practicing with Our Hindrances
On December 11, 2021, after meditation, we listened to excerpts from Dr. Larry Ward’s talk titled “Unshakable Deliverance of the Mind”, on how to practice with the Five Hindrances. Dr. Ward explained that the goal of our practice is to achieve “a mind that is unshakable” and a mind that is “delivered… from itself.” To achieve unshakable deliverance, we must develop an awareness of our mind, and the power to reshape it toward compassion and kindness, and this process calls for us to practice with the Five Hindrances.
A portrait of the Venerable Bhikku Bodhi
Praise and Blame
On November 13, 2021, after meditation we listened to a talk from the Venerable Bhikku Bodhi about a piece of the Buddha's advice for our speech. In particular, the Buddha…
Giving It All You’ve Got
On October 9, 2021, after meditation we watched a Dharma talk by Ayya Santussika titled: "Giving It All You've Got." The teacher quoted Ajahn Chah who said that in everything…
Edges and Boundlessness
On September 11, 2021, after meditation we watched a Dharma talk by Roshi Konjin Gaelyn Godwin about Edges and Boundlessness. The talk was originally delivered to the Tallahassee Chan Center…
Ven. Ajahn Brahm
Dealing with Sickness
On August 14, 2021, after meditation we listened to a talk from Venerable Ajahn Brahm about a talk about Dealing with Sickness. Everyone gets sick at some point in their…
Embracing Uncertainty
On July 10, 2021, after meditation we met online for a Teachers' Corner session on the topic of "Embracing Uncertainty" At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we watched excerpts from a…
Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form
On Saturday, June 12, 2021, our Teachers' Corner was focused on the famous line in the Heart Sutra: "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form...", with teachings from H.H. The Dalai…
“The Core Principles of Buddhadharma” by Guest Teacher David Listen
On May 29, 2021, Chan/Zen teacher, David Listen, joined us to guide meditation and give a Dharma Talk via Zoom. He expounded on the Three Dharma Seals (impermanence, selflessness, nirvana). These describe how things truly are; and when we cannot let go of our desire for permanence or a sense of an independent self, we suffer. He explained how nirvana or "true nature" is not a "thing" we can see or attain, but simply describes our capacity to fully realize the truths of impermanence and selflessness, thereby unleashing our full potential for compassion and wisdom.
Wise Livelihood
On Saturday, May 8, 2021, the topic for Teachers’ Corner was “Wise Livelihood.” After meditation, we listened to a dharma talk by the teacher Andrea Fella about "Wise Livelihood" (often…
Grief
On Saturday April 10, 2021, the topic for Teachers’ Corner was “Grief.” For seated meditation, we started with a 10-minute guided meditation on “Encountering Grief” by Roshi Joan Halifax followed…
Forgiveness
On March 13, 2021, after meditation we met online for a Teachers’ Corner session about “Forgiveness.” At Teachers’ Corner last Saturday, we listened to excerpts from Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni’s talk…
Dōgen’s Fukan Zazengi (Universally Recommended Instructions for Zazen)
On February 13, 2021, after meditation we learned more about "zazen", or Zen meditation, through a text called the "Fukan Zazengi", or the "Universally Recommended Instructions for Zazen" in English.…
How to Prioritize?
On January 9, 2021, after meditation we met online for a Teachers' Corner session on the topic of "How to Prioritize?" At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we listened to a…
Living by Vow
On December 12, 2020, after meditation we heard a dharma talk about the concept of vow, which figures prominently in Mahayana Buddhism. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we heard a…
Practice with Attachment / Clinging / Grasping
On November 14, 2020, after meditation, we discussed one of the fundamental causes of our suffering -- Attachment / Clinging / Grasping, and how to work with it in our…
Teacher Misconduct
On October 10, 2020, after meditation, we shared several teachers' responses on the issue of Teacher Misconduct in student abuse. We hope their advice will guide us in learning the…
Unskillful Speech : Idle Chatter
On September 12, 2020, after meditation we learned more about Right Speech (Samma vaca), one of the elements of the Buddha's Eightfold Noble Path, through a closer examination of one…
Letting Go of the Second Arrow
On August 8, 2020, after meditation, we learned about a core Buddhism teaching about human suffering — the Second Arrow. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we read the sutta (Samyutta…
Being Present
On July 11, 2020, after meditation, we learned about what "Being Present" means for practitioners of the Buddhadharma. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we listened to a recent Dharma talk…
Transforming Suffering
On June 13, 2020, after meditation, we learned from two different teachers on the topic of Transforming Suffering. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we listened to two Dharma talks, one…
How to Deal with the Feeling of Guilt?
On May 9, 2020, after meditation, we learned from two teachers about the feeling of Guilt and the Buddhist perspective on how to deal with it. At Teachers' Corner last…
Buddhist Practice in this Pandemic: Allow Joy into Our Heart & other advice from Dharma teachers
On Apr. 11th, 2020 was our "Teachers' Corner" week, and we took this opportunity to share a recent Dharma talk given by a Chan teacher Dr. Rebecca Li, in response…
Dealing with Anger
On Mar. 14, 2020 after meditation, we learned from three different teachers about Anger. At Teachers' Corner last Saturday, we watched two short video teachings and read a short article,…
Impermanence
On Feb. 08, 2020 after meditation, we heard from two different teachers about Impermanence. During our "Teachers' Corner" session, we read a couple pages from Thích Nhất Hạnh's book and…
Listening
On Jan. 11, 2020 after meditation, we learned about the importance and the challenges of Listening from Dharma teachers Ajahn Brahm and Toni Packer. During our "Teachers' Corner" session, we…
Gratitude
On Nov. 30, 2019, Alan gave a special presentation on an very important Buddhist practice: Gratitude. Following is the outline of ideas he presented with links to the source articles…
Karma
Last Saturday, on Nov. 9, 2019, Kayla presented on the topic of Karma. Kayla's presentation was followed by a lively group discussion on the topic at length - not just…
Interdependence
Last Saturday, on Nov. 2, 2019, Stephen generously shared his research on a well-known Buddhist concept: Interdependence. He led us through an inspiring discussion session after meditation. Following is the…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Knowledge
Last Saturday, on Oct 12, 2019, we studied the tenth of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Jñāna (Knowledge). To learn more about the very last Paramita, we shared…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Power / Strength
Last Saturday, on Oct 05, 2019, we studied the ninth of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Bala (Spiritual Power / Strength). We first read an excerpts from the…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Vow / Aspiration
Last Saturday, on Sept. 14, 2019, we studied the eighth of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Praṇidhāna (Vow / Aspiration). After a brief intro. on the vows of…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Skillful Means
Last Saturday, on September 7, 2019, we studied the seventh of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism — Upāya (Skillful Means / Expedient Means). We first defined Upāya. Then we…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Wisdom (Part 2)
Last Saturday, on August 10, 2019, we dived deeper into our study for The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Prajñā (Wisdom / Insight). We first read a few excerpts…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Wisdom (Part 1)
Last Saturday, on August 3, 2019, we studied The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Prajñā (Wisdom / Insight). Following meditation, we started Dharma learning session with a quick overview…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Meditative Absorption
Last Saturday, on July 13, 2019, we studied The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Dhyāna (Meditative Absorption / Stability of the Mind). Following meditation, we started Dharma learning session…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Energy/Diligence (Part 2)
Last Saturday, on July 6, 2019, we continued our study in The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Vīrya (Energy / Enthusiasm). Following meditation, we first shared observations from last month's…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Energy/Diligence (Part 1)
Last Saturday, on June 08, 2019, we studied the fourth of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Vīrya (Energy / Diligence / Effort / Exertion). We started our Dharma…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Patience/Forbearance (part 2)
Last Saturday, on June 1, 2019, we returned to the third of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Kshanti (Patience / Forbearance). Following the wonderful talk on Patience by…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Patience (with Rev. Nancy Easton)
On May 11, 2019, we welcomed our very first guest teacher, Rev. Eishin Nancy Easton! Rev. Easton joined us in group meditation and gave a Dharma talk on the third of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Kshanti / Kṣānti (Patience). Rev. Easton came early and practiced moving and sitting meditation with us. Afterward, she gave a wonderful Dharma talk on "The Patience Paramita". She then led us into a dynamic group discussion to explore the practice of Patience in daily life and answered many of our questions on the topic.
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Ethics/Morality
Last Saturday, on May 4, 2019, we studied the second of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Śīla (Ethics/Morality). We first read the article "The Buddhist Precepts" to get…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Generosity (Part 2)
Last Saturday, on April 13, 2019, we continued our study in the first of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Dāna (Generosity). We read the article "Joyful Receiving" and…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Generosity (Part 1)
Last Saturday, on April 6, 2019, we began learning more about the first of The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism -- Dāna (Generosity). We briefly discussed the "Three Kinds of Gifts"…
The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : What is a Bodhisattva?
Last Saturday, on March 9, 2019, we continued our introduction to The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism with a focus on the question “What is Bodhisattva?”. We explored the meaning of…
The Ten (6 + 4) Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism : Introduction
Last Saturday, on March 2, 2019, we kicked off our 2019 Dharma Learning topic -- The Ten Paramitas of Mahayana Buddhism. We shared a print out of Barbara O'Brien's article:…