Rochester Zen Center Teisho (zen Talks)

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 6 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #6 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #5 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #4 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Coming to the Path Talk by Catherine Jones.  Automated Transcript The post Coming to the Path Talk by Catherine Jones appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

How does our True Self that is No Self function in everyday life? Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Self and No Self appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

What we’re looking for is here. Learning not to look past this moment. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post This Moment Itself Is Mind appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 6 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Mumonkan #47, “Tosotsu’s Three Barriers” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on “Ichi Tantei, One Doing: Tangen Roshi of Bukkokuji.” Edited by Ron Klein. Translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa. Independently published, 2024. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Harada Tangen Roshi #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on “Ichi Tantei, One Doing: Tangen Roshi of Bukkokuji.” Edited by Ron Klein. Translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa. Independently published, 2024. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Harada Tangen Roshi #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on “The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin.” Translated by Normal Waddell. Shambhala, 1994 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Zen Master Hakuin #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on “The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin.” Translated by Normal Waddell. Shambhala, 1994 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Zen Master Hakuin #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on “The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin.”  Translated by Normal Waddell. Shambhala, 1994. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Zen Master Hakuin #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Though zazen is mainly considered a concentration practice, mindfulness plays an important role as well. Whether we’re working in the kitchen or walking in a park, everything flows more freely once mindfulness is in the forefront and we get out of the way. Dharma Talk by Ven. Trueman Taylor.  Automated Transcript The post The Two Sides of Practice: Mindfulness and Concentration appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

All beings and things expound the Dharma. With their spontaneity and wholehearted singing, what can we learn from birds? Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post The Dharma of Birds appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Trying to be perfect backfires and cuts us off from life. Openness and willingness is a better way. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Stop Fixing Yourself appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

What is a Zen teacher? What can a Zen teacher give you? This commentary was given on the day after her Zen teacher sanctioning ceremony. Teisho by Sensei Jissai Prince-Cherry.  Automated Transcript The post Blue Cliff Record #11: “Obaku’s ‘Mash Eaters'” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Three encouragement talks given by Roshi Philip Kapleau during a 1975 sesshin, accompanied by comments from his successor, Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Presented in honor of Founder’s Day—Roshi Kapleau’s birthday. Talk by Roshi Philip Kapleau.  Automated Transcript The post Sesshin Encouragement appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.