The Zen Studies Podcast
Summary: Learn about traditional Zen and Buddhist teachings, practices, and history through episodes recorded specifically for podcast listeners. Host Domyo Burk is a Soto Zen priest and teacher.
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- Artist: Domyo Burk
- Copyright: Copyright 2017-8 Domyo Burk
Podcasts:
In Part 1, I introduced you to the concept of work practice, how it came to be so important in Zen, the central teachings Dogen gives about it. In this episode I explain five ways you can engage your work as spiritual practice, based on Dogen’s teaching.
Zen demands that we engage our everyday activities, particularly work, as spiritual practice. Few writings describe Zen work practice as well as Zen master Dogen’s “Tenzokyokun,” or “Instructions to the Tenzo” (a tenzo being the head cook in a monastery), so I’ll use this short text to frame my presentation... its teachings about taking care, serving others, appreciating everything, and becoming one with your work are relevant to everyone, no matter what your work or life circumstances.
It's tempting, particularly in Mahayana Buddhism, to get stuck in a kind of superficial satisfaction with your zazen and practice. Of course, it's possible to get stuck in dissatisfaction as well. In this episode I walk you through four steps to deepen your zazen by using your dissatisfaction as guide for your efforts. I also compare zazen to walking on a tightrope - the instructions are simple, but actually doing it is challenging and requires experience, effort, and attention.
23 - How Buddhists Should Behave: Evolution of the Buddhist Precepts Part 2
22 - How Buddhists Should Behave: Evolution of the Buddhist Precepts Part 1
21 – Sesshin: 24-7 Silent Meditation Retreats
20 - The Heart Sutra Part 2: Line by Line Explanation, Continued
19 - The Heart Sutra Part 1: Introduction to the Most Common Mahayana Text
18 - Zen Forms (Customs and Rituals) and Why They Matter
Life of Shakyamuni Buddha Part 3: First Sermons and Students, and the Early Sangha
Sangha: The Joys, Challenges, and Value of Practicing in a Buddhist Community
To Study Buddhism Is to Study the Self (and Why That’s Not Selfish)
Buddha's Teachings Part 1: The Three Marks and the Teaching of Not-Self (Anatta)
What Zen “Acceptance” and “Non-Attachment” Really Are
Life of Shakyamuni Buddha Part 2: Spiritual Struggle, Enlightenment, Teaching, and Death
