

Rochester Zen Center Teisho (Zen Talks)
Rochester Zen Center
Dharma talks by senior teachers, including Sensei John Pulleyn, Sensei Donna Kowal, and Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. The Rochester Zen Center was founded in 1966 by Roshi Philip Kapleau, author of 20th century Zen classic, The Three Pillars of Zen.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 17, 2025 • 45min
Blue Cliff Record #11: “Obaku’s ‘Mash Eaters'”
What is a Zen teacher? What can a Zen teacher give you? This commentary was given on the day after her Zen teacher sanctioning ceremony. Teisho by Sensei Jissai Prince-Cherry. Automated Transcript
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Aug 10, 2025 • 43min
Sesshin Encouragement
Three encouragement talks given by Roshi Philip Kapleau during a 1975 sesshin, accompanied by comments from his successor, Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Presented in honor of Founder’s Day—Roshi Kapleau’s birthday. Talk by Roshi Philip Kapleau. Automated Transcript
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Aug 3, 2025 • 36min
Unselfing
Forgetting the self and awakening to the “world of ten thousand things.” Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
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Jul 18, 2025 • 40min
Shoyoroku #20: Dizang’s “Most Intimate”
July 2025 Sesshin, Day 6 Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Automated Transcript
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Jul 17, 2025 • 46min
Mumonkan #15: Tozan and Sixty Blows
July 2025 Sesshin, Day 5 Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Automated Transcript
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Jul 16, 2025 • 41min
Teachings of Zen Master Daikaku #2
July 2025 Sesshin, Day 4 A commentary on the teachings of Zen Master Daikaku, Part 2. Source: The Original Face: An Anthology of Rinzai Zen by Thomas F. Cleary (Editor). Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Automated Transcript
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Jul 15, 2025 • 44min
Teachings of Zen Master Daikaku #1
July 2025 Sesshin, Day 3 A commentary on the teachings of Zen Master Daikaku, Part 1. Source: The Original Face: An Anthology of Rinzai Zen by Thomas F. Cleary (Editor). Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Automated Transcript
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Jul 14, 2025 • 44min
Teachings of Zen Masters Foyan and Daikaku
July 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 A commentary on the teachings of Zen Masters Foyan and Daikaku. Sources: Instant Zen: Waking Up in the Present by Thomas Cleary (Translator) and The Original Face: An Anthology of Rinzai Zen by Thomas F. Cleary (Editor). Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Automated Transcript
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Jul 13, 2025 • 36min
Teachings of Zen Master Foyan
July 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 A commentary on the teachings of Zen Master Foyan. Source: Instant Zen: Waking Up in the Present by Thomas Cleary (Translator). Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Automated Transcript
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Jul 6, 2025 • 33min
Turning to “No Hope” in Difficult Times
Opening up to life as it is requires us to let go of the desire to be in control of conditions and to get intimate with suffering — not just our own, but the suffering of others and the planet. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcript
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