First of Series of talks on the Pali Canon based on the book "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Koan on Baizhang's Fox as published in The Gateless Barrier #14 and the Book of Serenity #8. This Koan deals with Karma and the cause and affect of our actions.

Koan on Buddha Twirls a Flower as published in the Gateless Barrier #6. This Koan speaks of the first transmission.

Koan on Buddha Ascends the Seat as published in the Book of Serenity #1 and the Blue Cliff Record #92. This Koan reminds us that words and talking are insufficient in teaching the dharma, that dharma is deeper and present in a more expansive way.

Talk on Language Poetry and War

Koan on Bodhidharma's Don't Know published in The Blue Cliff Record case #1 and the Book of Serenity case #2. This Koan speaks of the first zen teacher's arrival in China and the unknowable nature of existence.

Koan on Wash Your Bowls as published in the Gateless Barrier #7 and the Book of Serenity #39. This Koan challenges us to leave behind philosophical and spiritual concerns and come down to earth in the immediate present moment.

Koan on Everyday Mind as found in case 19 of the Gateless Barrier. This case reminds us that everyday mind is the Tao or Way.

Stories of Zen Women

An ancient set of Buddhist slogans offers us six powerful techniques to transform life's difficulties into awakening and benefit.

Norman gives the ninth and final talk of the Zen's Women Ancestors series on Zhaozhou's Intimate Touch. This series is based on Record of the Hidden Lamp: One Hundred Koans of Awakened Women, edited by Florence Caplow and Susan Moon (forthcoming from Wisdom Publications, 2013

Norman gives the fifth talk of the Santa Sabina Sesshin on Practicing With Death. In this talk Norman also speaks on the koan "Ziyong's Last Teaching".

Norman gives the third talk on the Zen's Women Ancestors series on Miaozong's Dharma Interview.

Norman gives the second talk on Zen's Women Ancestors on Iron Grindstone Liu's Feast. This series is based on Record of the Hidden Lamp: One Hundred Koans of Awakened Women, edited by Florence Caplow and Susan Moon (forthcoming from Wisdom Publications, 2013

Norman gives the first talk on the Zen's Women Ancestors series on Zhaozhou And The Old Woman's Obstacles. This series is based on Record of the Hidden Lamp: One Hundred Koans of Awakened Women, edited by Florence Caplow and Susan Moon (forthcoming from Wisdom Publications, 2013

A Forum with Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Zenkei Blanche Hartman, Myogen Steve Stucky and Mary Morgan, with an Introduction by David Chadwick, published in the fall issue of Buddhadharma Magazine. The PDF is available here as a download.

Celebrating the Memory of Susan B. Jordan-an evening of teachings, meditation and discussion with her teacher, Zoketsu Norman Fischer. Norman's wit and wisdom inspired Susan to incorporate the principles of meditation into her everyday practice of law.

A video interview with Norman Fischer, conducted by Richard Chess and Kitty Kendall of University of North Carolina, Asheville.

New translation of Book of Serenity, with good comments by a contemporary American Zen teacher.

Translation (with traditional commentary) of 100 koans.

The Lotus Sutra is an important text for all of Far East Asian Buddhism. It recasts the Buddha as a cosmic principle rather than a revered teacher, and shows the importance of a path of faith and devotion in Buddhism. This translation by Burton Watson is the text Norman uses in his five talks on the Lotus Sutra.

Good discussion of the Four Immeasurables

Text on which many of the audio files below are based. A useful discussion between the Dalai lama and others on emotions.

A secondary text for the philosophically/academically minded: Brilliant philosophical exegesis of Dogen’s thought. First published more than thirty-five years ago.

The pun of the title is a clue to the spirit of this informed and informative book.

Bernard’s brilliant discussion of comparative philosophy East and West.

The poems and life stories of 48 Chinese Buddhist nuns over 16 centuries. Much of the poetry is exquisitely beautiful and imbued with the dharma, and the life stories shed a clear light on the difficulties that faced female practitioners and women drawn to a monastic life in China.