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AZC Weekly talks

by Auckland Zen Centre

In this podcast you can find almost all the talks given at the Auckland Zen Centre, back to 2016. Most talks are by Roshi Amala Wrightson, but there are also talks from Sensei Richard von Sturmer and senior students too.

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Episodes

  1. 2026-09-29 Giving 1

    Beginning to explore the Dāna Pāramitā. Main Source: The Practice of Perfection by Robert Aitken.

  2. 2026-09-10 Bodhidharma's Wake Up Sermon

    Description: Non-Attachment. Source: The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma by Red Pine.

  3. 2026-09-09 Bodhidharma's Bloodstream Sermon 3

    Description: Buddhas and cause and effect. Source: The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma by Red Pine.

  4. 2026-09-08 Bodhidharma's Bloodstream Sermon 2

    Description: Mind is Buddha. Source: The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma by Red Pine.

  5. 2026-09-07 Master Dōgens Extensive Record 2

    Description: A selection ōf Dōgen's encouragement talks to inspire our practice. Main sources: Dogen's Extensive Record: Eihei Kōroku, translated by Taigen Dan Leighton and Shohaku Okumura (same as yesterday) The Art of Just Sitting edited by John Daido Loori.

  6. 2026-09-06 Master Dōgens Extensive Record 1

    Description: A selection ōf Dōgen's encouragement talks to inspire our practice. Main sources: Dogen's Extensive Record: Eihei Kōroku, translated by Taigen Dan Leighton and Shohaku Okumura.

  7. 2026-09-05 Bodhidharma's Bloodstream Sermon 1

    Description: Mind is Buddha. Source: The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma by Red Pine.

  8. 2026-08-25 How Long Will It Take?

    To think of practice as having a goal takes us away from the present moment. We can become impatient when we don't see the desired results of our zazen, and this impatience can become a hindrance in our practice. Texts: The Gateless Barrier, Robert Aitken The Three Pillars of Zen, Philip Kapleau.

  9. 2026-08-11 Patience

    The Kshanti Paramita. Active patience or forbearance as an antidote to anger.

  10. 2026-07-21 Nature Koans 5: Mumonkan Case 6, 'The Buddha Holds Up a Flower'

    The Sangha assembled on Vulture Peak to hear a discourse by the Buddha. The Buddha simply held up a flower. Only Mahakashyapa smiled. Texts: The Gateless Barrier, Robert Aitken Disciples of the Buddha, Zenno Ishigami.

  11. 2026-07-07 The Bodhisattva Precepts 3

    Some reflections of the 10 cardinal precepts and some questions to discuss. Source: The World Could Be Otherwise, Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path by Norman Fischer.

  12. 2026-06-23 The Bodhisattva Precepts 2

    A look at the three pure precepts and the first five cardinal precepts. Source: The World Could be Otherwise by Norman Fischer.

  13. 2026-06-09 The Bodhisattva Precepts 1

    Exploring the 16 precepts in preparation for Matariki Jukai. Source: The World Could be Otherwise by Norman Fischer.

  14. 2026-05-26 Nature Koans 4: Mumonkan Case 2, 'Hyakujo and the Fox'

    This koan takes the form of a folktale. An ancient teacher gives the wrong answer regarding cause and effect and must live 500 lives as a fox. Text: Shaping Text: Philosophy and Folklore in the Fox Koan by Steven Heine Of the Same Root: Animals and Our Relationship with them by Philip Kapleau.

  15. 2026-04-21 Ahimsa

    Ahimsa, not-harming, is a fundamental principle of both Hinduism and Buddhism, and is embodied in the first of our Ten Cardinal Precepts, "Not to kill but to cherish all life". In this teisho we look at different aspects of ahimsa: kindness, altruism and not eating meat. Text: To Cherish All…

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  16. 2026-04-07 Term Intensive Tips

    Some thoughts on making the most of a Term Intensive. Sources: Silent Illumination by Guo Gu, Self-help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes, and Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg.

  17. 2026-03-24 Peace and War

    Peace must always be given precedence, in particular making peace with ourselves. But war is always present; there has never been a time in human history when a war has not been waged on some part of our planet. So, in this teisho we take a clear-eyed look at war as well. Text: Essay by James...

  18. 2026-02-10 Nature Koans 3: Wu-tsu's Buffalo Passes Through the Window

    This is the third in a series of koans centred on the natural world. The koan is Case 38 in the Mumonkan Books used in the teisho: Zen's Chinese Heritage by Andy Ferguson and The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken.

  19. 2026-01-27 The Three Fruits of Zen Practice

    The three fruits of Zen practice are, 1. joriki or concentration, 2. kensho, or seeing your True Nature and 3. mujo do no taigen, or embodiment of the peerless way. Source: Ruben Habito's Foreword to The Flowing Bridge by Elaine MacInnes, Wisdom 2007.

  20. 2026-01-10 Master Dōgen's Life and Teaching 6

    More from the Shobogenzo Zuimonki on effort. Source: A Primer of Soto Zen translated by Reiho Masunaga.

  21. 2026-01-09 Master Dōgen's Life and Teaching 5

    Sources: How to Train an Ox and Primer of Soto Zen.

  22. 2026-01-08 Master Dōgen's Life and Teaching 4

    Dōgen's Fukan Zazengi, "General Recommendations for Doing Zazen" Source: How to Raise an Ox by Francis Dojun Cook.

  23. 2026-01-07 Master Dōgen's Life and Teaching 3

    Dōgen's talks from the Eihei Kōruku, Part Two. Sources: Dōgen's Extensive Record: Eihei Kōroku translated by Taigen Dan Leighton and Shohaku Okumura, and The Art of Just Sitting edited by John Daido Loori.

  24. 2026-01-06 Master Dōgen's Life and Teaching 2

    Dōgen's talks from the Eihei Kōruku, Part One. Source: Dōgen's Extensive Record: Eihei Kōroku translated by Taigen Dan Leighton and Shohaku Okumura.

  25. 2026-01-05 Master Dōgen's Life and Teaching 1

    Dōgen's early life. Source: Zen Master Dōgen - An Introduction with Selected Writings by Yūhō Yokoi with Daizen Victoria.

  26. 2025-12-16 The Ten Precepts as Expressions of our "Inconceivably Wondrous" True Nature

    Looking at all ten cardinal precepts from the angle of Bodhidharma's One Mind teachings. Source(s): Invoking Reality by John Daido Loori.

  27. 2025-11-04 Nature Koans 2: The Cypress Tree in the Courtyard

    This is the second in a series of koans centred on the natural world. The koan is Case 37 in the Mumonkan, Zhaozhou's Cypress Tree in the Courtyard. Sources: Pilgrim at Tinker's Creek by Annie Dillard and Two Zen Classics by Katsuki Sekida.

  28. 2025-10-21 Not-self

    Not-self is the third of the Three Marks of Existence, and is also referred to as emptiness of self, or just Emptiness. It can be understood intellectually when examined through the lenses of impermanence and dependent co-arising. It can also be directly experienced when we forget ourself.…

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  29. 2025-09-23 Dharma Ancestors: Soen Nakagawa Roshi

    This is the third in a series on teachers in the Auckland Zen Centre's lineage. Sources: Endless Vow: the Path of Soen Nakagawa Roshi by Roko Sherry Chayat Original Dwelling Place by Robert Aitken Remembering Nakagawa Soen Roshi by Estelle Gerard.

  30. 2025-09-11 Teisho beads from Tangen-roshi

    Description: Teachings on determination, generosity and gratitude. Source: Ichi Tantei One Doing -- Tangen-roshi of Bukkokuji Teisho, translations by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa, Edited by Ron Klein.

  31. 2025-09-10 Sangha stories about Tangen-roshi 2

    Description: Anecdotes and teachings. Source: Ichi Tantei - One doing, Tangen-roshi of Bukkokuji, teisho translations by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa, edited by Ron Klein.

  32. 2025-09-09 Sangha stories about Tangen-roshi 1

    Description: Anecdotes and teachings. Source: Ichi Tantei - One doing, Tangen-roshi of Bukkokuji, teisho translations by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa, edited by Ron Klein.

  33. 2025-09-08 H 80 Zhaozhou's "Newborn baby" Part Two

    Description: Constant flow. Source: Zen's Chinese Heritage by Andy Fergusson.

  34. 2025-09-07 H 80 Zhaozhou's "Newborn baby" Part One

    Description: Constant flow.

  35. 2025-09-06 Pointers for sitting

    Some pointers and cautions for zazen at the beginning of our 7-day sesshin. Sources: Various.

  36. 2025-08-19 Suffering

    Second in a series of talks on The Three Marks of Existence, Impermanence, Suffering and Not-Self. Suffering is a core teaching of Buddhism. The Buddha said "I teach but two things; suffering and the way out of suffering." Buddhism addresses our personal suffering as well as equipping us to be…

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  37. 2025-08-05 Nature Koans 1: Jingqing's Sound of the Raindrops

    This is the first in a series of koans centred on the natural world. The koan is Case 46 in the Blue Cliff Record. Sources: Zen's Chinese Heritage by Andy Ferguson and A Step Away from Paradise by Thomas Shor.

  38. 2025-07-22 Impermanence

    Description: Sabbe anicca. Everything that arises passes. Impermanence is one of the Three Marks, or Characteristics, of Existence, and a cornerstone of Buddhist teaching. The Buddha says that what is real is change itself,and that there's order in that change. The Bodhisattva's practice of...

  39. 2025-07-08 Grief

    Adrian Croucher gives a dharma talk on grief and Zen, drawing on a range of sources and his own recent experiences after the loss of his father. References: Domyo Burk, "Grief in Buddhism", Zen Studies Podcast, May 2020 (two parts): https://zenstudiespodcast.com/grief-in-buddhism-1/ Lucy Hone,...

  40. 2025-06-24 I Don't Know

    In this teisho we explore the different meanings of "I don't know", which are the three most famous words in Zen.

  41. 2025-06-10 Why Jukai?

    What is the receiving- the-precepts, or Jukai, ceremony and why do we participate in it? Main Source: Invoking Reality, moral and ethical teachings of Zen by John Daido Loori, Shambhala 2007.

  42. 2025-05-27 Linji's Great Enlightenment

    Richard-sensei's teisho on the koan "Linji's Great Enlightenment". The teisho also looks at the use of the kyosaku, the encouragement stick, in Zen. Main references: Zen's Chinese Heritage by Andy Ferguson.

  43. 2025-05-13 M46 Step Forward from the Top of a Hundred-Foot Pole

    Description: To die the Great Death means letting go of everything, even our precious awakening experience. We go up the pole to free ourselves of the three poisons, but then we leap back down into the world of duality and suffering to help others to liberate themselves. A Zen master said, "Zen...

  44. 2025-04-29 Yunmen's "Every Day Is a Good Day"

    Texts: Urs App, Master Yunmen Master Sheng-yen, The Sword of Wisdom.

  45. 2025-04-19 S 67 The Huayen Sutra's Wisdom

    Description: According to the Avatamsaka (Huayen) Sutra the Buddha proclaimed at his great awakening that all beings are endowed with wisdom and virtue. Why then do we cause so much suffering for others and ourselves? Source: The Book of Equanimity by Jerry Shishin Wick.

  46. 2025-04-15 Non-abiding

    Description: The third of Master Hui Neng's antidotes for attachment. Having the courage to be open and vulnerable and making peace with not being in control, are skilful strategies in an impermanent world.

  47. 2025-04-01 Dharma Ancestors: Hakuun Yasutani Roshi

    Main text: Flowers Fall: A Commentary on Zen Master Dogen's Genjokoan translated by Paul Jaffe.

  48. 2025-03-11 Attachment and Nonattachment

    Description: Master Hui Neng's antidotes to our attachment to our inner world, outer relationships and identity. Source: Silent Illumination by Guo Gu.

  49. 2025-02-25 Ahimsa and Insects

    Main references: Nine Lives by William Dalrymple The Secret Life of Flies by Erica McAlister Ichi Tantei: talks by Tangen Roshi

  50. 2025-02-04 Patience and Contentment

    Description: A look at two of the essential qualities we need to practise Zen and ways we can cultivate them. Sources: Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha by Tangen Harada Roshi, Shambhala 2023, Silent Illumination by Guo Gu, Shambhala 2021, NOON e-Newsletter January 2025 Discipline of the…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

In this podcast you can find almost all the talks given at the Auckland Zen Centre, back to 2016. Most talks are by Roshi Amala Wrightson, but there are also talks from Sensei Richard von Sturmer and senior students too.

HOSTED BY

Auckland Zen Centre

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does AZC Weekly talks have?

AZC Weekly talks currently has 300 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is AZC Weekly talks about?

In this podcast you can find almost all the talks given at the Auckland Zen Centre, back to 2016. Most talks are by Roshi Amala Wrightson, but there are also talks from Sensei Richard von Sturmer and senior students too.

How often does AZC Weekly talks release new episodes?

AZC Weekly talks publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

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You can listen to AZC Weekly talks on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts AZC Weekly talks?

AZC Weekly talks is created and hosted by Auckland Zen Centre.
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