About this episode

The episode explores how to practice Buddhism in the face of great difficulties, drawing on a koan from the Chan master Zhaozhou.

How can we practice without ignoring the world, but also without being overwhelmed by it? We can learn something from a koan involving the 9 th century Chan master Zhaozhou (Joshu): A monk asked, "When a great difficulties come, how should I avoid them?" Zhaozhou said, "Just right." We can include great difficulties in our perception of this life without being destroyed by them, letting our hearts break without rejecting this world or becoming consumed by anger or grief.

People in this episode

Host: Domyo Burk

Topics covered

• Buddhism
• Chan practice
• Koans
• Dealing with difficulties
• Spirituality

Keywords

• Zhaozhou
• Buddhism
• Chan
• koan
• difficulties
• spiritual practice
• anger
• grief

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