Upaya Zen Center

Peacemaker John Lederach offers a realistic and hopeful reflection on the 2024 US Presidential Election. He discusses America’s uncertainty and divisions, and how to move forward with curiosity, dignity, courage, […]

Sensei Noah Kodo Roen discusses the rich meaning and history of the Gate of Sweet Nectar liturgy, and its importance to the White Plum Lineage of which Upaya is a […]

In this session of Gathering Dharma, Roshi Joan Halifax emphasizes the importance of courage, community, and compassionate engagement in turbulent times, encouraging people to transform fear into an ally and pursue joy […]

In this session of Gathering Dharma, Roshi Joan Halifax begins with a heartfelt reflection on the moral call to engage with the suffering of the world. She emphasizes the connection between Buddhist […]

On the sixth and final day of the Fall Practice Period sesshin, Senseis Shinzan, Monshin, Kathie, and Kozan reflect on the essence of Zen practice following six intense days of […]

On the fifth day of the Fall Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Kozan uses the striking scarlet runner bean hidden in its pod as a metaphor for the profound practice of sesshin. He emphasizes […]

On the fourth day of this Fall Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Monshin delves into the phrases “Thusness” or “Suchness” as a path to direct experience. She illuminates the interplay between […]

In this Fall Practice Period sesshin day 2 talk, Sensei Shinzan delves into the poem The Jewel Mirror Samadhi, focusing on key lines that highlight how clarity and awakening are […]

On this first full day of the Fall Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Kathie introduces the teaching of The Jewel Mirror Samadhi and shares stories about Zen Master Dongshan, the co-founder of the Caodong School of […]

Sensei Kathie Fischer discusses the Song of the Jewel Mirror Awareness, emphasizing the importance of stillness and presence in Zen practice. She explores how complications and difficulties in practice are “auspicious” […]

In this Zazenkai day Dharma talk during the Fall Practice Period, Sensei Kozan introduces us to the teachings of the sixth Chinese ancestor, Hui-neng. He focuses on Hui-neng’s written work, the Platform Sutra, […]

In this session of the Fall Practice Period, Senseis Monshin, Kozan, and Shinzan introduce key teachers, teachings, and historical context which impacted the era of Zen this practice period focuses on.  Each of the Five […]

This Fall Practice Period Zazenkai talk by Sensei Shinzan addresses a core koan of our practice: how to directly engage with something that seems unattainable. Shinzan brings a subtle joy to this talk, pointing […]

In this opening session of the Fall Practice Period the guiding teachers, Senseis Shinzan, Monshin and Kozan set the tone for the coming weeks of communal practice. Shinzan speaks to the ubiquity of ‘Zen’ products and […]

In this Fall Practice Period and Wednesday night Dharma talk, Senseis Monshin and Shinzan share stories of ancient masters. Shinzan reflects on a fundamental question we must grapple with, why do we sit at all, what are […]

In this Fall Practice Period Wednesday night Dharma talk, Sensei Monshin discusses women ancestors of the Golden Age of Zen. “Women were practicing zen from the beginning, how is it they did not become […]

Senseis Kozan and Monshin introduce 2024 Upaya’s Fall Practice Period exploring the golden age of Zen during the Tang Dynasty, focusing on its cultural influences and historical challenges. They bring […]

Natalie Goldberg introduces an extraordinary Wednesday night Dharma talk, in which human rights activist Aviv Tatarsky calls in from Jerusalem to offer his candid view into the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Aviv […]

In this session of Gathering Dharma Roshi Joan Halifax points unwaveringly to the heart of our deeply held questions and commitments, asking, “What is it to connect… to foster community, […]

In this Wednesday night Dharma talk and the first talk in the Fall Chaplaincy Sesshin, we are gracefully reminded by Sensei Monshin of the roots and foundation of practice. Monshin […]