This teisho, given at Jane’s Transmission ceremony, explores the origins and evolving nature of Sangha. With the help of some home-made koans, the talk also develops the theme that Sangha is not merely a means to get things done as a unit of organisation, but also presents the essential. This teisho was given by Jane Andino at her Transmission ceremony
Will explores the koan about Pai-chang’s Fox, focussing on one aspect in particular – the old man’s ‘no falling under the law of cause and effect’. This teisho, Case 2 of the Wumenkuan, was given at Spring sesshin 2022
Senior student, Alladin Jones, gives us instructions about how to sit with a koan. Aitken roshi described them this way: “Koans are tiny doors that open to great vistas inviting us to wander through endless gardens. And they are the folk stories of Zen and like folk stories their expression is presentational rather than discursive. And they are poetic and
Subhana explores the deep and profound teachings of ‘emptiness’ the selfless dimension or the self-forgotten and its misunderstandings. What does it mean to cultivate that which is already our inherent true nature, which cannot be cultivated, yet it can be realised. This Dharma talk inquires into the aspects of the liberated nature of mind: of infinite space, unification of mind and body,
Trust the Buddha, trust the practice, trust your intention to realise the Way. Youmade the decisionto come to sesshin. Trust yourself enough to honour that decision and commit anew to your practiceat the start of each period of zazen. Release anything extra in your body, mind and heart. Mu is the first koan in the collection called The Gateless Barrier,
Subhana focuses on the healing capacity to be with, respond and alleviate the pain and suffering in our lives.Rather than turning away from the pain and disavowing the; hurt, shame, fear, anger, grief, we can turn towards these feelings with the healing power of compassion.We take up a wonderful Case 89 in the Blue Cliff Record of Kannon Bodhisattvas many
Emperor Su Tsung asked the National Teacher Hui Chung, “After you die, whatwill you need?” The National Teacher said, “Build a seamless tomb for me”. The Emperorasked, “please tell me master, what does this tomb look like?” The National teacher remained silent for a long time and then asked, “do you understand?” The Emperorsaid, “I dontunderstand”. The dialogue continues. The
Gillian Coote, roshi explores what we might have to do to practise as the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Kuan Yin. Whether we’re sitting on our cushions in meditation or are functioning in the day to day world, many challenges are sure to emerge. This teisho was given at Spring sesshin in 2021
Chao Chou’s “Oak Tree in the Garden” is, like MU, a primary koan, a door that focusses into the world of Zen practice. It emerges as a response to perennial questions: “What is Zen?” “What is the one mind?” It would seem that all the richness of life is right here, back in your own backyard, as the old song put
Subhana gives meditation instructions, an introduction and guided meditation practice on Silent Illumination. Silent Illumination is a both a practice and the direct realisation of mind. It was developed by Chinese Zen master Hongzhi and has its roots in Shamata Vipassana practice of early Buddhism. It was later called Shikantaza in Japanese Zen &/or Just Sitting. This teisho was given by Subhana Barzaghi
