The Zen Studies Podcast

Dharma Talks (a bit more personal take on Dharma topics)

245 – Sangha Challenges: How and Why to Open Up to the Treasure of Sangha – Part 1

by | Jul 27, 2023
245 – Sangha Challenges: How and Why to Open Up to the Treasure of Sangha – Part 1

Should you join a Sangha? Sangha, or community, is one of the “Three Treasures” of Buddhism, but is it really necessary? How important is it? There are many "Sangha Challenges" - reasons you might feel resistance to joining a community, or difficulties you might face as you practice with one. I discuss ways to relate to various Sangha challenges as opportunities for practice and growth. 

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244 – Zazen Como Acto Religioso

by | Jul 17, 2023
244 – Zazen Como Acto Religioso

Category: Meditación ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 244   La meditación Zen sentada (zazen) se parece menos a las prácticas meditativas de...

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244 – Zazen as a Religious Act

by | Jul 16, 2023
244 – Zazen as a Religious Act

Seated Zen meditation – zazen – is less like the meditative practices of many other spiritual traditions, and more like prayer in theistic traditions. This is not because we believe in God (although we might), but because zazen can be seen as a “religious” act – if we define religion in one of the ways philosopher William James offered, as “our total response to life.”

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243 – The Buddha’s Life Story as Archetype and Teaching

by | Jun 30, 2023
243 – The Buddha’s Life Story as Archetype and Teaching

Understanding the teachings of Buddhism starts with becoming familiar with the Buddha's life story. This isn't because he is believed to have been divine, or even a prophet. Instead, his story is important because it serves as an archetype for the Buddhist vision of spiritual seeking and development. There are many teachings embedded in the story of the Buddha, who is regarded as having been a remarkable human being – but just a human being, like you or me.

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242 – Reflections on Sansuikyo, Dogen’s Mountains and Waters Sutra

by | Jun 23, 2023
242 – Reflections on Sansuikyo, Dogen’s Mountains and Waters Sutra

One of Zen master Dogen’s most beloved writings is a relatively short essay called “Sansuikyo,” or the Mountains and Waters Sutra. In this episode, I reflect on two aspects this work: The statement that mountains and waters are, in of themselves, words of the Buddha, and the fantastic imagery of “mountains walking.” I only cover a few paragraphs of the Sansuikyo, but it is enough to open up a profound spiritual inquiry.

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239 – One Reality, Many Descriptions Part 3: Buddha-Nature 1

by | May 28, 2023
239 – One Reality, Many Descriptions Part 3: Buddha-Nature 1

This is part three of my series called “One Reality, Many Descriptions.” While experiences of Emptiness and Suchness (or Thusness) may be liberating and transformative, we may be left with the question of how our limited, embodied existence relates to these profound truths. Our natural inclination toward self-preservation, our appetites and shortcomings, our ingrained habits, our complacency – these things can seem at odds with the greater Reality we have started to perceive. The teaching of Buddha-Nature points to the marvelous and redemptive fact that we too – just as we are – are Thus: Luminous and miraculous in and of ourselves.

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238 – Eco-Anxiety and Buddhism – Part 2

by | May 12, 2023
238 – Eco-Anxiety and Buddhism – Part 2

It's natural to feel some eco-anxiety as the earth’s natural life-support systems break down. Buddhism clearly admonishes us to refrain from killing, to actively care for all life, and see ourselves as being in the “same boat” with all beings. In what ways can our practice help us stay strong, and how can it help us respond to our climate and ecological crisis in a way that’s consistent with our Buddhist values?

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237 – Eco-Anxiety and Buddhism – Part 1

by | Apr 29, 2023
237 – Eco-Anxiety and Buddhism – Part 1

Eco-anxiety is fear that our earth’s natural life-support systems are in the process of a collapse that will be catastrophic to life as we know it. This fear may range in intensity between a vague, pervasive sense of worry to a debilitating condition. What does Buddhism have to say about eco-anxiety, and what does it offer us if we want to be responsible citizens and true to our aspirations as Buddhists – but we also want to avoid being overwhelmed with fear, despair, or a sense of powerlessness?

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