August 2019 Zazenkai Talk (SPECIAL SUNDAY Aug 4-5th - Our MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI)

Our Talk today will be on a few Cases of the Book of Serenity that we recently danced in our "No Words" Book Club : Case 81 - Gensha Comes to the Province
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:SPECIAL SUNDAY Aug 4-5th - Our MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI (No Zazenkai Fri-Sat) »

July 2019 Zazenkai Talk - "Building a House and the Four Seals"

Rev. Sekishi's talk on Building a House and the Four Seals: the four characteristics (or "seals") are sometimes seen as a sort of "litmus test" to see if a teaching reflects true Buddha Dharma. But they can also be viewed as part of the core teachings of Buddhism:
All compounded things are impermanent
All emotions are Dukkha
All phenomena are empty; they are without inherent (or "self") existence
Nirvana is beyond extremes / concepts / description
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:July 5th-6th, 2019 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI! - featuring Sekishi ! »

June 2019 Zazenkai Talk - "Bodhidharma's Outline of Practice"

Rev. Kyonin's talk on the Outline of Practice of Master Bodhidharma (also known as the Treatise on the Two Entrances and Four Practices/ 二入四行論) (Translated by Red Pine)
MANY roads lead to the Path, but basically there are only two: reason and practice.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:June 7th-8th, 2019 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI! - featuring Kyonin! »

May 2019 Zazenkai Talk - "Vesak and the Buddha's Birthday"

Today's Talk is by Rev. Shokai, who will speaks on Vesak and the Buddha's Birthday.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:May 3rd-4th, 2019 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI! - featuring Shokai! »

March 2019 Zazenkai Talk - "IN THE NEWS!"

Today's Talk will look at a variety of STORIES and ISSUES IN THE NEWS today. Recently, there has been much discussion in the Buddhist world about "leaving politics at the door" of the Buddhist Sangha, where we encounter a way beyond opinions and debates. Generally, I very much agree. Zazen is beyond "right left and middle," and points to something beyond mere worldly concerns. However, I also believe that Buddhist teachings and values do guide us in certain directions in daily life, and toward certain outlooks and behavior, that must impact how we approach some social issues and stories in the news.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:March 1st-2nd, 2019 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI! - IN THE NEWS! »

Special New Year Zazenkai SATURDAY 1/5 with Zoketsu Norman Fischer

Zoketsu Norman Fischer is an American poet, writer, and Soto Zen priest, teaching and practicing in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. He is a Dharma heir of Sojun Mel Weitsman, from whom he received Dharma transmission in 1988. Fischer served as co-abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center from 1995–2000, after which he founded the Everyday Zen Foundation in 2000, a network of Buddhist practice group and related projects in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Fischer has published more than twenty-five books of poetry and non-fiction, as well as numerous poems, essays and articles in Buddhist magazines and poetry journals.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:Special New Year Zazenkai SATURDAY 1/5 with Zoketsu Norman Fischer »

November 2018 Zazenkai Talk (November 3rd-4th, 2018 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI!)

Today's Talk is the second part (we began last month) of reflections on portions of the 'Tenzo Kyokun' (典座教訓) or "Instructions for the Cook," Master Dogen's celebration of work (作務) and all our responsibilities in life, as we continue our Jukai and Ango Season for this year.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:November 3rd-4th, 2018 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI! »

October 2018 Zazenkai Talk (October 5th-6th, 2018 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI!)

Today's Talk will honor portions of Master Dogen's "Instructions for the Cook," a celebration of 'Samu' Work Practice and all our duties in life.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:October 5th-6th, 2018 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI! »