Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Cynthia Kear, a Sensei at Upaya Zen Center, emphasizes the importance of vows and confidence in one's practice to unlock wisdom. The conversation explores the bodhisattva Manjushri as an emblem of wisdom in Mahayana Buddhism, highlighting how his attributes, like the Vajra sword, symbolize insight. Kear discusses embracing emptiness and interconnectedness to tackle life's challenges and advocates for cultivating compassion to address social issues, positioning wisdom as a necessary tool for supporting others.

Dive into the profound world of ancient teachings with insights on how the Prajnaparamita sutras challenge our distracted lives. Experience a touching reminder to appreciate beauty through mindful moments, inspired by a heartfelt visit to a Botanical Garden. Explore the philosophy of nirvana, advocating for living fully in the present. The conversation flows through clarity found in stillness, weaving together reflections on nature, mindfulness, and the interconnectedness of our experiences. It's a journey towards deeper presence and gratitude.

In this dharma talk, Fushin discusses the Empty Bowl Sutra and its relationship to the Diamond Sutra, presenting them as complementary teachings about emptiness or boundlessness, and the bodhisattva path. Fushin explains that the Empty Bowl Sutra features Manjushri teaching about emptiness/boundlessness while the Diamond Sutra shows how this understanding leads to the bodhisattva vow to liberate… Source

In this talk from the Awareness in Action series, Ruth King examines racism as “a heart disease that is curable,” exploring through a Buddhist lens how racial conditioning shapes our identities and relationships. She illuminates the characteristics of dominance and subordination in racial dynamics, explaining how white privilege and supremacy are maintained through patterns of “blindness, sameness… Source

In this concluding session of the Haiku and Poetry program, Roshi Joan Halifax facilitates a rich dialogue among faculty and participants about language, beauty, and creative courage in difficult times. Roshi creates space for deep exploration of how poetry can address both personal and collective suffering. Jane Hirshfield shares her profound poem “Let Them Not Say,” written as a response to… Source

In this Fourth full session of the Haiku and Poetry series, translator and artist Ian Boyden invites participants on a meditative journey through the landscape of Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei. Beginning with a recognition of our present moment of global crisis, Boyden introduces Wang Wei (699-761 CE) as the “poet Buddha” who seamlessly integrated poetry, painting, and calligraphy into what became… Source

This is the 2nd part of … The third full session of the Haiku and Poetry program, where Jimmy Santiago Baca brings his characteristic energy and authenticity to the practice of writing haiku. Drawing on his background as a formerly incarcerated writer who discovered the redemptive power of language, Baca guides participants through a process of finding meaningful personal images and transforming… Source

In this third full session of the Haiku and Poetry program, Jimmy Santiago Baca brings his characteristic energy and authenticity to the practice of writing haiku. Drawing on his background as a formerly incarcerated writer who discovered the redemptive power of language, Baca guides participants through a process of finding meaningful personal images and transforming them into poetry. Source

This is the 2nd part of … The second full session of the Haiku and Poetry program, where acclaimed poet Jane Hirshfield explores the deep connections between poetry and contemplative practice. Beginning with insights into the rich tradition of Japanese women poets—from ancient court poets like Izumi Shikibu to Mitsu Suzuki—Hirshfield reveals how poetry has always served as an instrument of… Source

In this second full session of the Haiku and Poetry program, acclaimed poet Jane Hirshfield explores the deep connections between poetry and contemplative practice. Beginning with insights into the rich tradition of Japanese women poets—from ancient court poets like Izumi Shikibu to Mitsu Suzuki—Hirshfield reveals how poetry has always served as an instrument of transition and transformation. Source