TREELEAF ZENDO PODCAST

This is part four of our examination of the ten unfathomable talks by master Tong'an Changcha, moving on to the one called The Transcendent within Dust and Dirt. The text says: "That which is impure is impure by itself; that which is pure is pure by itself. Highest wisdom and delusion are likewise empty and even. Who could say that nobody can appreciate Bianhe’s jade? I say that the jewel of the black dragon shines everywhere. Only when the myriad dharmas disappear does the whole thing appear. The Three Vehicles split up and assumed only provisional names. Truly outstanding people have determination that knows no bounds. Do not try to go where the buddhas have already gone." This talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly zazenkai, on June 6th, 2026 For more information, visit treeleaf.org

We continue our Treeleaf Zendo Podcast with a new episode from the series based on master Tong'an Changcha's little-known "Ten Talks of Unfathomable Depth". Sekkei Harada Roshi relfects that "These Ten Verses of Unfathomable Depth ... written by Master Tong’an Changcha and represent a work of pure Sōtō Zen. The first five verses set forth the principles of Sōtō Zen, while the second five are concerned with matters of practice. Thus, taken together, these verses encapsulate the whole teaching of Sōtō Zen." We will explore the second of the ten talks. (Translation by Daigaku Rumme) This talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly Zazenkai. For more information about practice at Treeleaf Sangha, please visit treeleaf.org

To welcome and celebrate an auspicious new year, we will look through the beautiful and meaningful words of our 'Dedication of Merit', or Eko, as it is called in Japanese. The eko is recited during services, after the chanting of sutras and verses, directing the merit, or good will, good aspirations, to all beings or for specific causes. For more information on Treeleaf Sangha teachings, practice and offerings, please visit treeleaf.org

This month, we continue with more of Master Dogen's advice on living wisely and well in this day-to-day life, from Hachi Dainin Gaku 八大人覺 'The Eight Realizations of the Great Person Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:October Monthly Zazenkai »

Today we Walk with Master Menzan's Kinhinki ( 經行軌 ) The Way of Walking Zen. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:August 2025 Monthly Zazenkai»

This month, we will do the backstroke through Master Dogen's Ocean Mudra Samādhi (Kai’in Zanmai 海印三昧). His wild wordplay is a powerful expression of who we are in the universe, time, being and bringing to life our swimming through life by swimming gracefully. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:Treeleaf's June Monthly Zazenkai »

In today's episode, we look at an earlier and less popular version of master Dogen's Fukanzazengi, which has quite some differences from the popular version we all know. So, what exactly did Dogen Zenji change in the rewrites to his manual for zazen? Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:March Monthly Zazenkai »

Happy New Year to you all! We continue our study of the koans from the Blue Cliff Record, with a new batch of them today, beginning with case 13. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:JANUARY 2025 MONTHLY ZAZENKAI »

In this episode, we continue to look at koans from the Blue Cliff Record, specifically cases 7 to 12. We do that through the Soto Zen lens, extracting the practical essence from these famous ancient exchanges. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:November 2024, monthly Zazenkai »

This month, as we begin our sangha's Ango, we dive into a few sections of master Dogen's ¨Shoaku Makusa¨ (Not Doing Wrongs) Further reading and discussion are available on the Treeleaf forum:September 2024 Monthly Zazenkai»

We continue with the fifth instalment of this series of talks based on master Keizan's 'Zazen-Yojinki'. In this episode, we are looking at what zazen is by understanding what zazen isn't. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:July Monthly Zazenkai»

This week, Master Keizan offers practical advice, relevant even today, although some bits maybe more suited to the 13th Century, on one's life surrounding Zazen Practice. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Treeleaf Sangha's May Monthly Zazenkai »

Master Keizan, considered with Master Dogen one of the two "Founders" of Soto Zen in Japan, lived from 1264 to 1325. His essay “Zazen-Yōjinki” might be considered an expansion and further exploration of Dogen's explanation of Zazen, the 'Fukanzazengi'. The advice is often very practical, covering such topics as how to sit, breathe, what to wear, eat beforehand and what to do on those days when the mind just won't settle down, while other parts of the essay (such as today's portion) are wild, willy and mind wowing as only Zen writings can be! Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:March 2024 Monthly Zazenkai»