TREELEAF ZENDO PODCAST

March 2017 Zazenkai Talk (The zen poems of Ryokan Taigu)

Our talk is about the zen poems of the Great Fool: Ryōkan Taigu (1758–1831).
This famous hermit monk lived a simple life but rich in practice and reverence for the present moment. After leaving the monastery he spent his life helping people in villages, begging, playing with kids and writing poems. More about Ryōkan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%8Dkan
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! The zen poems of Ryokan Taigu »

February 2017 SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Sit Down & Speak Up

How does our Zen Practice blend with taking a stand? Do we stay "beyond the fray" or speak out for what is right? I have been wrestling with this lately, like many folks. I have advocated leaving "politics" outside the door of our Treeleaf Sangha. In principle. I still believe so, and that we should speak civilly and gently to each other in the Sangha, agreeing to disagree, leaving most political debate outside.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Sit Down & Speak Up »

February 2017 Zazenkai Talk (Our SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" 4-hour ZAZENKAI)

WELCOME to our Memorial & Celebration of NEHAN-E, (Pari-Nirvana) the traditional day to mark the historical Buddha's death and passing from this visible world. This is also a day for each of us to remember in our homes those family and friends who have gone before. As well, we particularly mark the passing of Nishijima Gudo Wafu and Rempo Niwa Zenji.
Our reading for today's Nehan-e Zazenkai is a passage that Dogen wrote late in life, showing his seemingly very traditional views on Rebirth at that time: Dogen’s Shobogenzo Doshin, "Mind of the Way" (translated by Peter Levitt & Kazuaki Tanahashi)
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:February 4-5th, 2017 - Our SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

January 2017 Zazenkai Talk (Reflections on Jukai)

This talk looks at aspects of the wording and content of our upcoming Jukai "Undertaking The Precepts" Ceremony, to be held next week ...
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:January 6th-7th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! Reflections on Jukai! »

December 2016 Sit-a-Long with Jundo: My Uplifting, Inspiring, Hopeful, Optimistic New Years Message

The past year has seen its ups and downs ... a lot of downs it seems. Next year will likely be so too. (And the year after that!) This is the roller coaster of life.
Do you know the still and quiet center at the heart of all ups and downs? Do you know that the world has always been so? Do you know that things are probably not as down (or as up) as you might think?
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:Sit-a-Long with Jundo: My Uplifting, Inspiring, Hopeful, Optimistic New Years Message »

November 2016 Zazenkai Talk (Namaste India)

To Commence Jundo's month-long travels & pilgrimage to India, this talk is on Satsangs the Bhagavad-gītā (and various Zen Teachings on India).
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:November 4th-5th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! NAMASTE INDIA! »

October 2016 Zazenkai Talk (Cases from the Book of Serenity for Ango & Jukai)

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 67 - THE FLOWER GARLAND SUTRA’S WISDOM, and CASE 68 - KYUHO’S HEAD AND TAIL.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:October 7th-8th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

September 2016 SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: When I Feel So Bad

When I began Zazen this morning, I felt so bad ... and then I didn't. The problems remained, but now filled with clarity, light, peace, compassion, equanimity, allowing ... No "I" and no "problem" remained ... even as the problems of life remained. What did I do? Better said, it's what "I" didn't need to do or not do.
Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: When I Feel So Bad »