On Aug 9th, we listened to a recorded talk by Ajahn Amaro. In this Dharma talk, the teacher explains how true non-attachment -- letting go of self-centered striving and craving, can free us to engage with our lives, our practice, and the world with greater clarity, compassion, and wisdom.
On June 14th, we listened to a recorded talk by Ven. Thubten Chodron. In this Dharma talk, the Venerable examines the Buddhist understanding of consciousness, focusing on the distinction between conceptual and non-conceptual consciousness and how these different ways of knowing shape our experience of reality.
Last Sunday we listened to a talk by Dharma teacher, Joseph Goldstein on the cultivation of Metta (Loving-Kindness). He explains that Metta is a simple, unconditional wish for happiness and well-being for all, supported by qualities of straightforwardness, gentleness, and humility, which foster openness, kindness, and the readiness to learn. By focusing on the good in ourselves and others, we can generate feelings of gratitude and forgiveness, further enriching our practice.
In her talk, entitled "Living with the Fundamental Truth of Impermanence," Chozen Roshi emphasizes that impermanence is a fundamental feature of the world. Instead of rejecting the experiences of impermanence, we must instead accept them. This doesn’t mean that we become cold and uncaring – it’s okay to grieve our losses. But we must also let the grief be impermanent, and learn to rest in awareness and just be present. This moment right now is true, and it is enough.
On June 8th, 2025, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk by the Venerable Ajahn Sādaro, teaches that the path to true humility is through working on our conceit, and the root of conceit is “I am”, the holding onto a self. Recognizing that all things are brought about by causes and conditions and are changeable will help us to be more flexible in our views.
On May 11, 2025, after meditation, we watched a Dharma talk recording by Rev. angel Kyodo williams, about our practice of "Transforming the Mind," and the lesson of the Lojong slogan "Don't Expect Applause." She reminds us that transformation isn’t about acquiring something new, but clearing what obscures our natural alignment. In Japanese, “mind” includes the body. To train the mind is to train how we live, feel, and relate—without expecting applause, and without bypassing suffering. It’s an invitation to meet life directly, as it is.
On March 30, 2025, Ven. Thubten Lamsel joined us via Zoom to lead meditation and offer a Dharma talk on the topic of bodhicitta—the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. She spoke on how this motivation, without the attachment to "self," lies at the heart of the Buddhist path, and how it can guide our actions, speech, and thoughts throughout daily life. Drawing on examples from monastic training and simple practices like mindful eating, she shared how even ordinary activities become powerful causes for awakening when rooted in compassion. The talk emphasized bodhicitta as both the source and expression of our deepest wisdom and connection to others.
On February 9th, 2025, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk by Ven. Ajahn Kalyano, explaining what a peaceful mind is, and how to cultivate it using mindfulness practice that focus on the recollection of impermanence.
On January 12, 2025, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk recording by Insight Meditation teacher, Jack Kornfield, where he delves into the second aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path: “Right Attitude, Wise Aspiration, Mindful Thought.”
On October 13, 2024, after meditation, we listened to excerpts of a recorded Dharma talk by teacher Fred Eppsteiner, on "The Three Fierce Mantras" — three simple yet profound and powerful sentences of teachings by 12th Century Tibetan Buddhist ascetic, Tsangpa Gyare, that can cut through our anxiety, and confusion in life
On Sunday, September 8, 2024, after meditation we listened to three different short talks about Right View. Right View is one of the practices of the Noble Eightfold Path, which…
On Sunday, August 11, 2024, after meditation, we watched four video clips from interviews of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on the topic of our "Buddha Nature" and how practice can help…
On Sunday, March 10, 2024, after meditation, we watched a talk "The Four Noble Truths in Context" from Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. In this talk, aimed at practitioners who have previously encountered…
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, after meditation we listened to a talk on "The Five Remembrances" by meditation teacher, Devin Berry. Inspired by recent health concerns and the loss of…
On Sunday, December 10, 2023, after meditation we listened to a talk from Dōju Layton about Buddhism and War, and the practice of non-violence. Dōju was moved to give this…
On Sunday, October 8, 2023, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk from Tan Ajahn Kalyano titled "Upekkhā (equanimity)". This talk discusses equanimity, the fourth of the four brahmavihārā…
On August 13, 2023, after meditation, we shared a talk by Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner, on the teaching of Yogācāra, titled "Yogācāra: A Concise Instruction for Practitioners." Yogācāra, often referred…
On July 9, 2023, after meditation, we met online for a Teachers’ Corner session about “The Practice of Six Transcendence.” We listened to a collection of excerpts from a Dharma…
On Sunday, March 12th, 2023, after meditation we watched a Dharma talk from Jack Kornfield entitled "The Most Basic Truths: Gateways to Freedom". In this talk, Mr. Kornfield discusses a…
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…
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”.…
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,…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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"…
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…
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:…