Jane explores a disagreement between young monks on a windy day – what’s moving the flag or the wind? Then Hei-neng answers not the wind or the flag, it is the mind. She delves into this case and the background of Hui-neng’s life and recorded sayings. The talk includes the teaching of 9th century nun Miaoxin, and also Aitkin Roshi’s comments
‘What is it?’ is a question that Zen masters have asked through the ages to students of the Way. This talk explores this question through the teachings of Case 49 of the Book of Serenity, ‘Dongshan Holds a Memorial Service’. In this case we investigate Transmission, what is transmitted, as well as Yunyan’s famous phrase ‘Just this, this!’. Jane Andino
In this guided meditation Peter takes us into the silence of mind and body and introduces us to the practice of Silent Illumination (shikintaza) – where we drop away obstructions to perceive reality clearly, transcending noise and separation. He quotes Zen Master Hongzhi, who describes Silent Illumination as the “field of bound less emptiness” where everything functions freely in suchness,
The priest Ruiyan called “Master!” to himself every day and answered himself“Yes!”Then he would say “Be aware!” and reply “Yes!”“Don’t be deceived by others!”“No, no!”Peter delves into the profound meaning behind this seemingly simple practice of Ruiyan Shiyan, moving beyond interpretations of self-affirmation or mere remembrance. Connecting it to Ruiyan’s earlier encounter with Master Yantou, Peter highlights the challenge of
Yun Men said, “See how vast and wide the world is! Why do you put on your seven-piece robe at the sound of the bell?”This talk explores why do we practice? Honouring your longing, the sacred splinter in your heart that brings you in search of the Tao, to alleviate suffering.And it includes four guidelines from the Complete Enlightenment Sutra
Join Peter for a talk exploring Zhaozhou’s famous koan, “The Cypress Tree in the Courtyard.” Found in the Wumenguan and Book of Serenity, this koan, often presented in a shorter form, offers profound insights when viewed within its broader dialogue. Peter will delve into the context provided by the Record of Zhaozhou, examining how this seemingly simple response to the
Zen practice is the way of true intimacy, the falling away of self and other dichotomy and dualistic ways of seeing the world. Awakening can happen in so many ways, with a true encounter. Includes Stories of true encounters; Shakyamuni Buddha’s awakening experience with the morning star, Mahakasyapa – twirling of the flower, Kuei-shan, encountering the live coal in his heart, Dong-shan
This talk by Peter explores how to work with delusion. The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, from the Book of Serenity, has four lines which offer profound instructions on how to work with delusion: “At each moment, don’t raise delusive thoughts. Don’t extinguish your varied, delusive mind. Dwelling in a setting of delusive thought, don’t add knowledge. Where there is no knowledge, don’t discriminate
Subhana introduces us to Silent Illumination practice. This guided meditation helps to stabilise just sitting, from breath, expanding to whole body breathing, to letting go of body, just listening, letting go thinking mind, noticing space between the thoughts. Letting go ideas of body and mind. Learning to rest in the silent, open, vast timeless illumination of awareness. Non-doing – letting
In this guided meditation Will gives instructions on how to work with the koan ‘who is hearing?’. ‘Who is hearing’ is one of the primary koans taken up by students of Zen under the supervision of a Zen teacher. This practice instruction wasgiven by apprentice teacher Will Moon during the Autumn sesshin of 2025 at Kodoji.
