AZC Weekly talks

Who or what is in the way of our waking up? How do we get out of the way? Main Source(s): Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui Translated by Christopher Cleary

How subjective emotional consciousness distorts our experience. Main Source(s): Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui Translated by Christopher Cleary

Some historical background on Master Dahui and his championing of koan practice. Source(s): Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui Translated by Christopher Cleary, and Circle of the Way by Barbara O'Brien

Chiyono experiences enlightenment when the bottom falls out of her water bucket. How do we break out of fixed ways of seeing ourselves and framing the world? Absorption in a koan is a tried and tested way. Main text: The Hidden Lamp, Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women edited by Florence Caplow and Susan Moon

A meeting between a Buddhist monk and a people in Colombia who understand that they are part of the living world, not separate from it. Main Text: Running Toward Mystery; The Adventure of an Unconventional Life by Ven Tenzin Priyadarshi and Zara Houshmand

"With total trust, roam and play in samadhi". Main Text: Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu, North Point Press San Francisco 1991

"You must be broadminded, whole, without relying on others." Main Text: Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu, North Point Press San Francisco 1991

The bright, boundless field -- what is it? "Degrading situations" and how to avoid pursuing them. Main Text: Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu, North Point Press San Francisco 1991

The life of Master Hongzhi Main Text: Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu, North Point Press San Francisco 1991

Words from two wise women -- Anne Salmond and Susan Murphy -- for Jacinda Ardern (and all of us) as many challenges loom. Texts: Newsroom article, 18 October, 2020 Navigating by the stars www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/anne-salmond-navigating-by-the-stars?fbclid=IwAR1oAA9c8VPWA-jF6jj5cWOwrZsA4j_x3bFtx3AXzudpFlO8WaBqXsPge4Q Minding the Earth, Mending the World by Susan Murphy

Sally's Coming to the Path talk

How does cannabis legalisation relate to the precept of not taking intoxicants or causing others to do so? What legal framework will improve health and equity while reducing harm?

Introduction to the Spring Term Intensive

The first precept is "Not to Kill, but to cherish all life." How does this guidance play into how we might vote on the proposed euthanasia legislation? How will the legalisation of assisted suiside affect individuals, families and communities?

Comments on Master Hongzhi's Cultivating the Empty Field, 3: The Practice of True Reality Main Source(s): Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi, translated by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu.

Why does Great Penetration Supreme Wisdom Buddha sit for 10 eons and not attain buddhahood?

What is the point of practice if so few experience deep awakening? Practice as a process of tenderising. St Francis and the wolf of Gubbio. Main source: Shattering the Great Doubt: the Chan Practice of Huado by Chan Master Sheng Yen

Pushing on an unlocked door that opens towards us -- getting beyond the self/other split Main source: Shattering the Great Doubt: the Chan Practice of Huado by Chan Master Sheng Yen

Some of the different forms our doubt may take. Main source: Shattering the Great Doubt: the Chan Practice of Huado by Chan Master Sheng Yen

The nature of Great Doubt and its origin in our sense of alienation Main source: Shattering the Great Doubt: the Chan Practice of Huado by Chan Master Sheng Yen

Comments on Master Hongzhi's Cultivating the Empty Field, 4: With Total Trust Roam and Play in Samadhi Main Source(s): Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi, translated by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu.

Comments on Master Hongzhi's Cultivating the Empty Field, 2: The Bright, Boundless Field Main Source(s): Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi, translated by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu. What Is This? Ancient Questions for modern minds by Martine and Stephen Batchelor Being Black, Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and Grace by Angel Kyodo Willia...

Comments on Master Hongzhi's Cultivating the Empty Field, 1: Biography of Master Hongzhi Main Source(s): Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi, translated by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu.

Comments on an interview with leading American poet Ross Gay where he describes how we can cultivate joy, delight and gratitude. Main source(s): https://onbeing.org/programs/ross-gay-tending-joy-and-practicing-delight/

Jukai : why and how we receive the 16 precepts, and do it more than once, plus some notes on understanding the 10 cardinal precepts in the light of the 3 resolutions -- to do no harm, to do good, and to liberate all living beings.