Form Is No Other Than Emptiness, Emptiness No Other Than FormA nice hot kettle of stew. He ruins it by dropping a couple of rat turds in. It's no good pushing delicacies at a person with a full belly. Striking aside waves to look for water when

My Journey

Jun 6th, 2023 41m 5s

In my most recent talk, Talking to a Rock, I referenced a talk from a few years back in which I shared the story of my journey to practice, and said I would post it here. So here it is, dusted off and freshened up a bit, with tales of affinity

Talking to a Rock

Jun 2nd, 2023 36m 19s

Yunyan asked a student what they had been doing. "I've been talking to a rock." Yunyan asked, "Who spoke first, you or the rock?" When the student didn't reply, Yunyan said, "It was nodding to you before you even said a word."Support the S

Nothing Will Do. What Do You Do?

May 26th, 2023 37m 22s

Nothing will do. What do you do? This is the fundamental koan, the koan that is the common denominator of the thousands of koans.-also-Whatever I do it just doesn't do what do I do?-Shin'ichi HisamatsuSupport the Show.

All Things Will Transform Themselves

May 19th, 2023 30m 36s

After several unsuccessful attempts at receiving advice from Vast Obscure… Generalissimo Cloud said, "It is a rare and difficult thing to meet with you, O Heaven! Please give me just one word!" Vast Obscure said, "Ach! The nourishing of the

Just Ask Old Mr. Stone

May 12th, 2023 30m 19s

Obstinate and mindlessBlock of Stone,Lying hereOn this green moss,Oblivious of rain and dew,Immune to frost and snow.How many times has this gardenFlourished and Decayed!How often have these flowers and treesBloomed and Faded!Just ask old Mr. S

Relax Completely

May 5th, 2023 32m 32s

Let go of hundreds of yearsand relax completely.-Shitou Xiqian, from Song of the Grass Roof HermitageSupport the Show.

Ah Yes, So Natural

Apr 28th, 2023 32m 8s

Danxia Tianran traveled to meet with Great Ancestor Ma. Upon first seeing one another, Ma had a good look at him and said, "I am not your teacher," advising him to go to Shitou's place. Danxia made the long journey and joined Shitou's commun

Dragon Murmurings in a Dried Up Tree

Apr 21st, 2023 31m 55s

Dragon murmurings in a dried-up tree aren’t used up -XuedouA student asked Xishuang, “What is ‘dragon murmurings in a dried-up tree’?” Xishuang replied, “I still have joy.”A Student asked Caoshan, “What is ‘dragon murmurings in a dried-up

Free of Dust, Without a Care

Feb 3rd, 2023 31m 11s

Today I sat before the cliffs I sat until the mist drew off a single crystal stream a towering ridge of jade a cloud's dawn shadow not yet moving the moon's night light still adrift a body free of dust a mind without a care-from The Co

Don't Let Your Mind Grow Dim

Jan 27th, 2023 29m 32s

The suffering of the Wheel is relentless back and forth stirring up the dust the ant patrol on its endless round the Six Paths are nothing but confusion changing heads and switching faces doesn't free you from your self bring this hell

Your Nature is Naturally So

Jan 20th, 2023 31m 45s

Here's a message for the faithful what is it that you cherish to find the Way to see your nature your nature is naturally so what Heaven bestows is perfect looking for proof leads you astray leaving the trunk to search among twigs all

A Tree Older Than the Grove

Jan 13th, 2023 31m 31s

A tree grew here before the grove its age is twice as great the shifting earth has gnarled its roots wind and frost have parched its leaves people scorn its withered outside no one sees its fine-grained heart but when its bark is stripp

The Moon is the Hub of the Mind

Jan 6th, 2023 31m 23s

Before the cliffs I sat alone the moon shone in the sky but where a thousand shapes appeared its lantern cast no light the unobstructed spirit is clear the empty cave is a mystery a finger showed me the moon the moon is the hub of the

Changsha's Exactly the Place to Be

Dec 23rd, 2022 28m 35s

Someone asked, “What is my heart-mind?” Changsha replied, “All the worlds in the universe are your heart-mind.” “If that’s so, then there’s really no particular place for my body to be.” “That’s exactly the place for your body to be,” said

Changsha's Great Way

Dec 16th, 2022 30m 55s

Someone asked, "What is the great way?" Changsha said, "It doesn't exclude you." The person asked, "Who is the teacher of all buddhas?" Changsha said, "For the incalculable eon, who has ever concealed this?"-from Zen's Chinese Heritage by

Changsha's You Can't Leave It

Dec 9th, 2022 28m 1s

A monk asked, "What is the true monk's eye?" Changsha said, "So vast and wide that you can't leave it." Changsha also said, "Those who become buddhas and ancestors can't leave it. The six realms of transmigration can't leave it." The monk

Changsha's All Worlds in the Ten Directions

Dec 2nd, 2022 32m 36s

Changsha entered the hall and addressed the assembly: "I say to you that all worlds pervading the ten directions are the true monk's eye. All worlds pervading the ten directions are the true monk's complete body. Pervading all worlds in the t

Every Moment, Every Place

Nov 25th, 2022 31m 10s

When I look deeplyinto the real form of the universe,everything reveals the mysterious truth of the Tathagata.This truth never fails:in every moment and every placethings can't help but shine with this light.-from Torei Zenji's Bodhisattva's Vo

Yangshan's Headrest

Nov 18th, 2022 30m 57s

Someone asked Yangshan, "Can the dharmakaya expound the dharma?" "I'm not able to expound it," replied Yangshan, "but there is someone else who can." "And where is this person who can expound it?" the questioner continued. Yangshan pushed

Yangshan's Heaven and Hell

Nov 11th, 2022 30m 13s

Someone asked Yangshan, "What is the difference between heaven and hell?" Yangshan drew a line on the ground.-from Zen's Chinese Heritage by Andy FergusonSupport the Show.

Yangshan's Officially, Unofficially

Nov 4th, 2022 30m 49s

Yangshan said to the assembly:"Officially, not even a needle can enter; unofficially, you can drive a truck through."-from The Open Source's Miscellaneous Koan CollectionSupport the Show.

Yangshan Smashes a Mirror

Oct 28th, 2022 28m 3s

When Yangshan was residing at Dongping, a letter and a mirror arrived from Guishan. Yangshan ascended the high seat and received the letter. Then, holding up the mirror, he addressed the assembly. "Monks, this mirror comes from Guishan. Tell

Yangshan Plants His Hoe

Oct 21st, 2022 23m 18s

Guishan asked Yangshan, “Where have you come from?” Yangshan replied, “I’ve come from the fields.” “How many people are in the fields?” Yangshan planted his hoe in the ground and stood with his hands clasped. Guishan said, “Lots of people

Yangshan and Guishan Pick Tea

Oct 14th, 2022 28m 40s

One day Guishan was picking tea with Yangshan. Guishan said, "All day long I've heard your voice but haven't seen your form." Yangshan shook the tea bush. Guishan commented, "You know how it works but you don't know what it is." "You know w