Auckland Zen Centre: Weekly Podcasts

We can learn to guard our mind and nurture our aspiration by being careful of what we consume.Source: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider London 2021.

What we consume shapes us -- not just the food and drink that nourish our physical body but also the impressions of our five senses, what we long for, and what we think. We can learn to be mindful of our mind/body and be careful about what we consume.Sources: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider London 2021;The Universe is a Green Dragon by Brian Swimme, Bear and Company Publishing, Santa Fe New Mexico 1984.

Teisho by Sensei Richard von Sturmer.

Morality, Awakening and Meditation -- that is, good character, prajna wisdom and daily zazen -- are what is looked for in a Zen teacher.Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede.

All the other precepts we take at Jukai flow from our taking refuge in Buddha (realisation), Dharma (truth) and Sangha (harmony).Various sources.

Some background on why we receive the sixteen precepts at Matariki. The importance of attending to our often harsh inner speech, and seeing through it.Source(s): Advice Not GIven by Mark Epstein, Hay House 2018

Some reflections on why we have ceremonies and rituals, and look at some of the legends behind the bathing of the baby Buddha.

A Dharma talk by Richard von Sturmer.Texts used: Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teachings of Shunryu Suzuki by David Chadwick; To Shine One Corner of the World by David Chadwick.

A first-hand case study in working with reactive states of mind.Source(s): A Fire Runs Through All Things: Zen Koans for Facing the Climate Crisis by Susan Murphy, Shambhala 2023

Comments on ten zen pointers on the practice of welcomingSource: Article by John Tarrant "How to welcome the end of the world" in Lion's Roar November 2016.

Just calmly see that all is one and by themselves false views will go.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

These dreams are merely flowers of air.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

The wise do not strive after goals.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

The great Master Joshu gives a teaching on non-abiding.Sources: various

Beyond the easy and the hard.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

 Dropping things and mind.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

Unifying the mind.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987

Attempts to stop activity will fill you with activity.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

How we create a sense of self with our habit of approval, disapproval and indifference.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and  Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.

Dharma Talk by Jissai Prince Cherry.