Forgetting the Ox, Forgetting the Self

Forgetting the Ox, Forgetting the Self

From Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast by Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

April 27, 2026 · 44 min

About this episode

Sensei Shinzan discusses the profound stages of awakening in Zen through the lens of the Ten Ox-Herding Pictures.

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, offered during the fourth day of Upaya’s Spring Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Shinzan guides us through the seventh and eighth stages of the Ten Ox-Herding Pictures — two of the most profound moments in the Zen map of awakening. The seventh stage, Forgetting the Ox, marks the end of the seeker: grasping falls away, the division between practice and life… Source

People in this episode

Host: Joan Halifax

Guest: Sensei Shinzan

Topics covered

  • Zen awakening
  • Dharma talk
  • Buddhism
  • Spiritual practice
  • Self-discovery

Keywords

  • Zen
  • Dharma
  • awakening
  • practice
  • self

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Upaya Zen Center

Books & works: Ten Ox-Herding Pictures

More episodes of Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast podcast page.