Talk given to Makor Or Jewish community on Readings from the Torah

Talk to Makor Or Jewish community on Our Lives a Garment

Koan on "Yun-men's Dried Shitstick" as found in case 21 of the Mumonkan or Gateless Barrier. This koan challenges us to put aside dogma using a turning word to turn the heart and mind around.

Koan on "Sound of the Bell" as found in case 16 of the Mumonkan or The Gateless Barrier. This Koan speaks of everything disappearing into the sound of the bell, the universe, buddha nature, yet Yun-men continues and just puts on his robe.

Koan on "Beyond Speech and Silence" or "Equality and Differentiation" as found in case 24 of the Mumonkan or The Gateless Barrier. This is also known as "Feng-hsueh: Equality and Differentiation". This Koan speaks of the world of silence and the world of speech, oneness and differentiation. Or,this may be more a matter of perception.

What is compassion? Zoketsu gives a guided meditation on the practice of cultivating compassion. He describes the relationship between compassion, suffering, and liberation.

In talk two on the Sandokai, Norman speaks of the nuances between one-ness and many-ness, quoting often from Suzuki Roshi's "Branching Streams Flow in the Dark."

How can we as Zen practioners wage peace? How can we go forth in the world to wage peace for oneself and others? Zoketsu discusses waging peace through forgiveness.

A series of talks on Zen poem "Merging of Difference and Unity"

... Aun si has memorizado todos los sutras, no puedes utilizarlos.

In this talk delivered to an international conference of Buddhist teachers, Norman suggests several questions concerning the life of Buddhism in western culture with the attitude that it is best not to be in a rush to find answers. "Without questioning there is something to defend, and where there is something to defend trouble and suffering are not far behind."

Zoketsu continues an exploration of the essential emptiness of phenomena, as taught in the Diamond Sutra, with a discussion of the practice of renunciation.

Zoketsu introduces the emptiness teachings of the Vajracheddika Prajna Paramita Sutra, also known as the Diamond Sutra.

Norman advises that suffering cannot be eliminated. He tells us we can find freedom within suffering and not by trying to escape from it.

Zoketsu describes his path as a Dharma student and discusses a variety of ways to work with Buddhist teachers.

Zoketsu discusses ceremonies and practice with families.

Norman explores the basic human need for expression. Through poetics, Dogen, Ginsberg, and Valery, he investigates what art is and the beauty of its instability.

Zoketsu discusses the history of work and work practice in Zen from ancient China to the modern day. Practical suggestions on engaging in work as spiritual practice are offered.

A much lauded commentary on Shantideva's text, published by the Padmakara translations group. In this commentary, Kunzang Pelden has compiled the pith instructions of his teacher Patrul Rinpoche, the celebrated author of "The Words of My Perfect Teacher."

Biographies and stories of Zen women in China, Korea, and Japan, with commentary by Grace Schireson. An important collection of our current knowledge of historical Zen women.

Norman's eagerly awaited book about Homer's Odyssey and the metaphor of homecoming, from a Zen perspective. "Norman Fischer deftly incorporates Buddhist, Judaic, Christian, and popular thought, as well as his own unique and sympathetic understanding of life, in his reinterpretation of Odysseus's familiar wanderings as lessons that everyone can use. We see how to resist the seduction of the Sirens' song to stop sailing and give up; how to bide our time in a situation and wait for the right opportunity -- as Odysseus does when faced with the murderous, one-eyed Cyclops; and how to reassess our story and rediscover our purpose and identity if, like the Lotus-Eaters, we have forgotten the past."

This collection of scholarly essays discusses Zen ritual throughout history from a variety of standpoints. Not necessary to read to appreciate the audio files.

Chodron's excellent personal and in-depth commentary on Shantideva's eighth-century text.

More Dogen, but with an emphasis on meditation practice as theme. Lengthy introduction by Zoketsu.

Based on what historical evidence is known about female awakened practitioners since the time of the Buddha, Sallie Tisdale “re-imagines” their lives in the context of the historical eras they lived within. Some people object to the re-imagining, but I found it powerful and engaging. Her introduction is particularly worth reading.

The best among the many English translations of this inspiring poetic text.

Secondary text for the philosophically/academically minded: A sequel to "Eihei Dogen: Mystical Realist". Equally strong.