There’s so much to study in Buddhism and Zen – where do you begin, even if it’s just listening to this podcast?

My suggestions are below. There is much more to study, of course, and you can find more on this podcast by searching for episodes by Category, Subject, and Release Order. If you listened to everything below, though, you would have a pretty solid grounding in both Buddhist and Zen teachings and practices.

I recommend listening the podcasts in each category more or less in order, but you can skip around to different categories at any time. For example, do a little study in the Buddha’s teachings category, then do some study about zazen, then learn more about Zen practice and loop back to Buddha’s teachings. Challenge yourself, but also try to make your study enjoyable so you’ll continue with the effort.

– Domyo

The Buddha’s Life Story as Archetype and Teaching

Birth through Homeleaving
Before and After Enlightenment
Early Teaching and Sangha
More Teachings and Stories

Buddha’s Essential Teachings

The Three Marks and the Teaching of Not-Self (Anatta)
The Four Noble Truths
The Noble Eightfold Path
Karma, the Law of Moral Cause-and-Effect
The Three Poisons as the Root of All Evil
The Four Brahmaviharas, or Sublime Social Attitudes – Part 1 (Intro), Part 2 (Metta), Part 3 (Karuna, Mudita, Upekkha)
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
The Five Skandhas as Focus for the Practice of Not-Self (Anatta)

Zazen & Meditation

A Zazen Pamphlet: Essential (and Brief) Instructions for the Practice of Zazen
Mini Episode – A Four “S” Approach to Shikantaza: Sit Upright, Still, Silent, Simply Be
Zazen as the Dharma Gate of Joyful Ease
Two Paths to Meditative Concentration: Directed Effort Versus Letting Go – Part 1 and Part 2

Essentials of Zen Practice

How Does Zen Buddhism Fit Within the Context of Buddhism as a Whole?
The Three Treasures of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
What Is “Zen Practice” Anyway?
What Zen “Acceptance” and “Non-Attachment” Really Are
To Study Buddhism Is to Study the Self (and Why That’s Not Selfish)
The Two Sides of Practice: Samadhi Power and Karma Relationship
Taking Refuge and Precepts: The Significance of Becoming a Buddhist
The Buddhist Moral Precepts as a Practice for Studying the Buddha Way
The Experience of Enlightenment and Why It’s for All of Us
Unconditional Strength and Gratitude: The Medicine of Suchness
Zen Forms (Customs and Rituals) and Why They Matter
Sesshin: 24-7 Silent Meditation Retreats

Important Texts – A Good Starter Package!

Twelve Pali Canon Suttas Every Buddhist Should Know – Part 1
Twelve Pali Canon Suttas Every Buddhist Should Know – Part 2
Twelve Pali Canon Suttas Every Buddhist Should Know – Part 3
The Heart Sutra Part 1: Introduction to the Most Common Mahayana Text
The Heart Sutra Part 2: Line by Line Explanation, Continued
Dogen’s Genjokoan Part 1: Non-Duality, Intimacy, and Enlightenment
Dogen’s Genjokoan Part 2: Our Experience of Absolute and Relative
Dogen’s Genjokoan Part 3: Seeking, Self-Nature, and the Matter of Life-and-Death
Dogen’s Genjokoan Part 4: Moon in a Dewdrop and Views of the Ocean
Dogen’s Genjokoan Part 5: Birds Fly, Fish Swim, a Zen Master Waves a Fan