The Zen Studies Podcast
Dharma Talks (a bit more personal take on Dharma topics)
258 – One Reality, Many Descriptions Part 4: The Two Truths of Absolute and Relative 2
The Two Truths teaching is another classic Chan/Zen description of Reality-with-a-Capital-R. Reality has two aspects, often called relative and absolute. I call them the “dependent dimension” and the “independent dimension.” I describe this teaching and discuss why it is so important to our practice.
read more257 – Una Realidad, Muchas Descripciones Parte 5: Las Dos Verdades, Absoluta y Relativa 1
Category: Enseñanzas Budistas ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 257 La enseñanza de las Dos Verdades es otra descripción clásica Chan/Zen de la...
read more257 – One Reality, Many Descriptions Part 4: The Two Truths of Absolute and Relative 1
The Two Truths teaching is another classic Chan/Zen description of Reality-with-a-Capital-R. Reality has two aspects, often called relative and absolute. I call them the "dependent dimension" and the "independent dimension." I describe this teaching and discuss why it is so important to our practice.
read more256 – Realiza tu Propia Práctica: Traslación Espiritual Versus Transformación
Category: Práctica Budista, Enseñanzas Budistas ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 256 Una forma de enmarcar nuestra práctica es decir que tiene...
read more256 – Do Your Own Practice: Spiritual Translation Versus Transformation
One way to frame our practice is to say it has a "translation" aspect and a "transformation" aspect. Translation means to apply Buddhist teachings and practice to our life to free self and other from suffering, and live with greater wisdom and compassion. Transformation means to seek transcendence of the self and all of its limited views through a relentless process of inquiry, for the sake of an even more profound and stable liberation. I discuss how each aspect is valuable, how they differ, and clarifying what you want out of your own spiritual path.
read more255 – La Medicina del Vacío al Presenciar el Sufrimiento y la Injusticia
Category: Práctica Budista, Enseñanzas Budistas ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 255 Cuando somos testigos –o experimentamos– sufrimiento o...
read more255 – The Medicine of Emptiness When Witnessing Suffering and Injustice
When we witness - or experience - suffering or injustice, the medicine of emptiness can give us strength and equanimity. It should also increase our compassion, allowing us to be open, sensitive, and responsive without getting overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, fear, anger, or hatred. I talk about what the "medicine of emptiness" is - and isn't - and how to access it.
read more254 – Practica Todos y Cada Uno de los Momentos – Parte 2
Category: Práctica Budista ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 254 La vida cotidiana nos brinda innumerables oportunidades para el “trabajo del...
read more254 – Practice is How You Live Each and Every Moment – Part 2
Everyday life gives us countless opportunities for "awakening work." I discuss ways to practice each and every moment in order to awaken to the truth of Dukkha and the ending of Dukkha, and to the truth Emptiness. In Part 3 I will talk about how we can similarly work on a direct, personal experiences of Suchness, Buddha-Nature, and the Two Truths (absolute and relative) in the midst of our daily lives.
read more253 – Practica Todos y Cada Uno de los Momentos – Parte 1
Category: Práctica Budista ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 253 Los aspectos formales de la práctica Budista (las cosas que puedes observar e...
read more253 – Practice is How You Live Each and Every Moment – Part 1
The formal aspects of Buddhist practice – the things you can look at and identify as “Buddhist practice” – are very important. These include meditation, Dharma study, and time with Sangha. However, unless you’re a monk in a really strict monastery, over 90% of your time is spent outside of formal practice. It’s important to remember that practice each and every moment – how we choose to live our life, just as it is – is the most important thing.
read more252 – Reflexiones sobre “Bussho: La naturaleza Búdica” de Dogen Parte 2: Existencia Total
Category: Textos Budistas, Enseñanzas Zen ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 252 En mi segundo episodio, que reflexiona sobre “Bussho” o “La...
read more252 – Reflections on Dogen’s “Bussho, The Buddha-Nature” Part 2: Total Existence
In my second episode reflecting on Dogen's “Bussho,” or “The Buddha-Nature," I discuss how Buddha-Nature is a teaching about our existential koan as human beings. I also talk about how Dogen says we have already got Buddha-Nature, and then explore more fully his teaching about "Total Existence."
read more251 – Reflexiones sobre “Bussho: La naturaleza Búdica” de Dogen Parte 1: Existencia Total
Category: Textos Budistas, Enseñanzas Zen ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 251 En su ensayo “Bussho” o “La Naturaleza de Buda”, Dogen explora y...
read more251 – Reflections on Dogen’s “Bussho, The Buddha-Nature” Part 1: Being
In his essay "Bussho," or "The Buddha-Nature," Dogen explores and expands a classic Mahayana Buddhist teaching. I reflect on a few central concepts from the first paragraph.
read more250 – En Zazen Dejamos de Imponernos al Mundo y, En Cambio, lo Encontramos
Category: Meditación ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 250 En zazen dejamos de imponernos al mundo ya sea mediante nuestro pensamiento habitual o...
read more250 – In Zazen We Stop Imposing Ourselves on the World and Meet It Instead
In zazen we stop imposing ourselves on the world either through our habitual thinking or through any effort to control or judge our meditative experience. Only then can we meet the world us it is unfolding around, within, and through us - but this meeting requires energy and participation. This episode addresses the two essential aspects of zazen practice: What we are not doing, and what we are doing. Both are equally important and both are easily misunderstood.
read more249 – ¿Son Relevantes Para los Jefes de Familia las Enseñanzas del Buda Sobre la Renuncia? – Parte 2
Category: Enseñanzas Budistas ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 249 En esta segunda mitad de una discusión de dos episodios, reviso brevemente...
read more249 – Are the Buddha’s Teachings on Renunciation Relevant for Householders? – Part 2
In this second half of a two-episode discussion, I briefly review the limitations of sensual or worldly pleasures. Then I explore how engagement with the world, contrary to simply being a compromise, can be its own path of practice. Finally, I talk about how the Buddha’s teachings on renunciation are not only relevant but deeply meaningful and useful for householders.
read more248 – ¿Son Relevantes Para los Jefes de Familia las Enseñanzas del Buda Sobre la Renuncia? – Parte 1
Category: Enseñanzas Budistas ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 248 El Buda fue bastante claro. Si querías experimentar la liberación completa,...
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