The Zen Studies Podcast

In Soto Zen Buddhism, "Dharma Transmission" is a ritual in which a qualified Zen teacher acknowledges the ability of one of their students to carry on the lineage tradition of Zen. In this episode I introduce you to the practice, including a description of my own experience of it, the criteria for giving it, the great variability in how it's viewed and used, and the sense in which it's about two individuals mutually recognizing awakened mind in each other.

Legends of King Aśoka (3rd century BCE), have long guided and inspired Buddhists, particularly rulers. In this 2nd episode of two, I continue the story of Aśoka's exploits: sending missionaries to spread the Dhamma, building a large number of stupas, and sponsoring the Third Buddhist Council. I also discuss the debate about whether Aśoka championed Buddhism as a religion, or kept his public life non-sectarian and used the term "Dhamma" to refer to general principles of morality and righteousness.

King Aśoka was an Indian emperor in the 3rd century BCE. According to legend, he was a devout Buddhist who explicitly and publicly governed in accord with the Dhamma, or Buddhist teachings. Aśoka has been important to Buddhists – particularly Buddhist rulers – ever since his reign. In this episode I tell you the story of Aśoka according to legend, and then contrast that with what we know from his extant rock edicts (deciphered in the 19th century). In the next episode I'll continue with the stories of Aśoka's exploits.

In this second episode of two on "How to Guide Your Own Meditation," I illustrate the process by sharing four first-person narratives about meditation experiences. In each story, someone turns their attention toward their meditative experience itself, and finds a way to adjust their effort in order to improve it.

Exploring the nuances of guiding your own meditation by adjusting effort levels and staying alert. Cultivating mindfulness, navigating effort and non-effort in meditation practice, and actively engaging in the meditation journey to enhance the experience.

In this episode we finish up the Genjokoan, focusing first on the rather long passage comparing our path of practice to the way a fish swims in the water, or a bird flies in the sky. Then I'll talk about the story at the end of the essay, where a monk asks a Zen master why he uses a fan when the nature of wind permeates everywhere, which is really a question about why we practice if reality ultimately lacks nothing.

In this 3rd episode of three on Buddhist prayer, I talk about how prayer for personal transformation and change. I discuss why change is so hard, how both Buddhism and science suggest "executive control" is an illusion, and how prayer can be a skillful "end run" around our internal resistance.

I continue our exploration of Buddhist prayer with a discussion of "aid-seeking" prayer, or prayer for a positive result. In particular, in this episode I cover the long-established traditions of Buddhist prayer for positive physical or external results, such as protection from danger, recovery from illness, or plentiful rain for crops. (In the next episode I'll talk about prayer to affect change in our own practice, experience, or behavior.)

You might be surprised to know many Buddhists pray, given that Buddhism is fundamentally a nontheistic religion. It's possible to be an avowed atheist and a devout Buddhist at the same time. In fact, such a Buddhist might even pray! I'll explain more about how this works in this episode, which will be the first of two. I'll introduce you to three basic reasons Buddhists pray, take you through the first two reasons, and then finish up next week by going into more detail about the third type of prayer.

Explore the Buddha's teachings on right speech as part of the Noble Eightfold Path. Delve into the concept and qualities of right speech in Buddhism. Discover the challenges and rewards of mindful speech in social interactions. Learn about the power of mindful and beneficial speech in fostering intimacy and connection.