Appamada

2026-08-09 | Dharma Talk | Nate Smalley by Appamada

2026-08-10 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-08-04 I Inquiry Accepting Yourself Completely I Josh Gifford by Appamada

2026-08-03 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

This week, we’ continue to explore Zen’s understanding of time and the moment. Conventionally, we think of the past as a place things go to stay put — old mistakes, former selves, the people we've lost, with all of it shrinking into the distance. Dōgen, characteristically, disagrees. This Sunday, we sit with his strange claim that time does not pile up in a row, which has implications for what we...

2026-07-28 I Slippery words I Inquiry Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-07-27 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-07-26 | Dharma Talk | What is a Moment? | Nate Smalley by Appamada

“The precept today is giving, the joy of giving. Everything is something which was given; every existence in nature, every existence in human world, every cultural work we do is something which was given to us or which is being given to us, relatively speaking. But actually everything is originally one. So it may be better to say we are giving out everything. It is the same thing. Relatively speak...

2026-07-22 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

It’s been a surreal week. We must recognize that we are in a fundamentally altered reality. It’s quite disorienting, so perhaps we can come together and begin to explore how to navigate it. Peg offers this Dharma talk: “What are we seeking?” It’s an important inquiry, so we hope you will join us! Photo by Ben Syverson Chicago, July 16, 2026

Case 37, A monk asked Jōshū, “What is the meaning of Bodhidharma’s coming to China?” Jōshū replied, “The oak tree in the garden.” Case 5, titled “Kyōgen’s Man Up a Tree.” Kyōgen said: “It’s like a man up a tree, hanging from a branch by his mouth. His hands can’t grasp a bough, his feet can’t touch the trunk. Another man comes and asks from below, ‘What is the meaning of Bodhidharma’s coming from...

2026-07-13 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

The Buddhist Precepts are not a checklist. They are a practice — a genuine looking at the ways we speak, take, react, and cause harm without quite meaning to. For the past year, a group of students has been sitting with these teachings and letting them ask hard questions. Come be part of the ceremony that honors their practice.

Yunyan was sweeping the ground. Daowu said, “Too busy.” Yunyan replied, “You should know there is one who is not busy.” Daowu answered, “If so, then there is a second moon.” Yunyan lifted what he was holding and asked, “Which moon is this?”

2026-07-06 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Joel shares reflections on Pema Chodran’s book “How We Live is How We Die” and Tibetan Buddhists’ work to live life to prepare for the transition from life to death. Joel also reads from Stephen Levine’s book “A Year to Live.” We hear a reading from the chapter titled “Fear of Fear." Joel leads us in Levine’s “soft belly meditation.”

2026-06-30 I Inquiry I No bridge needed? I Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-06-29 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

What might it look like to live a life energized by something other than preference? Recently, while getting feedback on a decision the teachers were considering, Nate was challenged by a council member to consider if a life outside of preference is even possible. Nate thinks it is, though it’s not easy to come by. In this talk, we explore possibilities together. The text of the Hsin Hsin Ming can...

SFZC Great robe of liberation Field far beyond form and emptiness Wearing the Tathagata’s teaching Saving all beings Upaya Vast is the robe of liberation, A formless field of benefaction. I wear the Tathagata’s teachings, To awaken countless beings. Appamada (Ordinary Mind) Vast is the robe of liberation A formless field of benefaction Wearing the universal teaching I realize the one true nature T...

2026-06-22 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Kim gives a dharma talk on "Coleus in the Garden" and other koans.

Most of us have a favorite way of getting stuck. A particular dance we do — the old pattern in new clothes, the familiar mistake in a new context, the same persistent bad habit, again. Today, we look at stuckness not as a problem to be solved but as something we might actually need. The Buddha had something to say about this, as did Suzuki Roshi. And you’ll get to find out which kind of horse you...

2026-06-16 I Inquiry I Great Determination? I Trudy Johnston by Appamada