This week, Roshi continued our exploration of Dogen’s Zuimonki. He reminded us that, unlike the more formal Shobogenzo, the Zuimonki consists largely of informal talks and conversations recorded by Dogen’s disciple, Ejo. Interestingly, Ejo first met Dogen as a fellow monk before eventually becoming his student and successor. This week we began Book Four,…

This week, Roshi briefly reflected on the recent passing of the renowned Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman. Roshi first met Thurman approximately forty years ago at the First American Buddhist Conference. Although their paths crossed only occasionally over the decades that followed, Roshi held him in great respect and appreciation. Reflecting on Thurman’s life, Roshi…

This week, Roshi continued our exploration of Dogen’s Zuimonki. He reminded us that this text is much less formal than the Shobogenzo. Much of the Zuimonki was recorded by Ejo, who began as a colleague of Dogen and later became his student. Our discussion focused on the beginning of Book 3, where an accomplished…

This week, the sangha celebrated Roshi’s birthday by singing “Happy Birthday” and presenting him with a card, sweets, and several small gifts. Roshi graciously acknowledged these expressions of appreciation and reflected on their deeper meaning. He reminded us that while we may direct our gratitude toward him, he is simply a vessel for truths…

Tesshin Roshi opened his talk by inviting us to consider the term “Garage-ism.” He suggested that American culture has been shaped in part by the post–World War II suburban garage. Not every culture has such a space, but in the United States the garage became a place where creativity and innovation could flourish. Teenagers…

Roshi opened his talk this week by noting how many new students in Zen hit the same challenges in their practice.  At first, they become frustrated because the mind feels scattered and out of control.  They quit because they feel as though they are wasting time.  Then, as practice matures, their minds begin to…

This week Roshi continued our exploration of the Lotus Sutra. He began by returning to a moment from our previous discussion: the episode in which five thousand celestial beings leave the Buddha’s assembly after hearing that they will never attain full realization. Roshi emphasized this point, reminding us that skillful means can sometimes sound…

Roshi used his talk this week to reflect on how we might enter the Year of the Fire Horse. He encouraged us to ground ourselves in compassion and, just as importantly, in curiosity—a spirit of exploration that allows the Dharma to remain alive. It was this curiosity, Roshi explained, that led him to begin…

Roshi opened his talk this week by reflecting on the importance of building solid foundations in the new year. He noted that parents, in particular, are often concerned with providing strong foundations for their children—whether in academics, culture, or values. But this raised a deeper question: what about Buddhist teachings? What constitutes a solid…

Roshi began his talk by wishing everyone a happy New Year and noting that, according to the Asian calendar, this is the Year of the Horse. He then shared that during the holiday period he listened to an interview with a well-known scientist discussing the possibility of multiple dimensions. The interviewers asked whether some…