Rochester Zen Center Teisho (Zen Talks)

A look at the enormous influence that habits of mind have on our lives and practice. We can begin by starting to wake up to some of what they are.    Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post The Habit of Awareness appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Dharma Talk by Ven. Kanji Argetsinger.  Automated Transcript The post Living in the Grass Hut appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Thoughts Are Not The Problem appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Right Effort, Right Patience appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2026 Sesshin, Day 6 Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Commentary on Joko Beck’s “Everyday Zen” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2026 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah  Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away #5 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2026 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah  Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away #4 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2026 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah  Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2026 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah  Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2026 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah  Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Learning to let the mind settle Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post A Quiet Mind appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Deepening your practice requires effort and persistence, and also the courage to let go of being in control. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Taking the Risk of Letting Go appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

February 2026 Sesshin, Day 2 Dharma Talk by Ven. Trueman Taylor.  Automated Transcript The post Guo Gu “Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening” #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

February 2026 Sesshin, Day 1 Dharma Talk by Ven. Trueman Taylor.  Automated Transcript The post Guo Gu “Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening” #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

A commentary on the relationship between Zen practice, on and off the cushion, and anchoring in the tanden. Teisho by Sensei Jissai Prince-Cherry.  Automated Transcript The post Zen Practice and Hara appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Coming to the Path Talk by Barry Keesan.  Automated Transcript The post Coming to the Path Talk by Barry Keesan appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

What is the true spirit of the Four Bodhisattvic Vows? How can we make them the foundation of our life, even in the face of hardship? Source: Opening the Hand of Thought by Kosho Uchiyama (Wisdom Publications, 2005). Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Wanted: Bodhisattvas. Apply Within. appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2026 Sesshin, Day 6 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Hekiganroku #24 , “Irongrindstones Tetsuma” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2026 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart. (ed. by Roko Sherry Chayat). Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Maurine Stuart: “Subtle Sound” #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2026 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart (ed. by Roko Sherry Chayat). Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Maurine Stuart: “Subtle Sound” #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2026 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on The Way of Korean Zen by Kusan Sunim (trans. by Martine Batchelor). Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Kusan Sunim: “The Way of Korean Zen” #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2026 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on The Way of Korean Zen by Kusan Sunim (trans. by Martine Batchelor). Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Kusan Sunim: “The Way of Korean Zen” #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2026 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on The Way of Korean Zen by Kusan Sunim (trans. by Martine Batchelor). Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Kusan Sunim: “The Way of Korean Zen” #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Understanding the Buddha’s fundamental teaching – The origin of suffering is craving, attachment, and ignorance. Seeing how grasping leaves us unable to appreciate our lives. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Getting There vs. Being Here appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

December 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on “Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha: The Life and Zen Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi”. Part 2 Dharma Talk by Eryl Kubicka.  Automated Transcript The post Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

December 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on “Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha: The Life and Zen Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi”. Part 1 Dharma Talk by Eryl Kubicka.  Automated Transcript The post Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Exploring sights along the spiritual journey and how to navigate the path of Zen. Includes excerpts from Deepening Zen: The Long Maturation, Book 2 by Roshi Mitra Bishop. Teisho by Sensei Jissai Prince-Cherry.  Automated Transcript The post No Map: Finding Our Way In Zen Practice appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Accepting others as ourselves. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post The Buddhist Precepts appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Why does a practice that is so utterly simple feel so difficult? Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Simple, Not Easy appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Commentary on an Interview of Richard Gere About the Dalai Lama Talk by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede.  Automated Transcript The post Two Flavors of Dharma appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 6 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #6 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #5 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #4 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on “Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen” by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Coming to the Path Talk by Catherine Jones.  Automated Transcript The post Coming to the Path Talk by Catherine Jones appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

How does our True Self that is No Self function in everyday life? Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Self and No Self appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

What we’re looking for is here. Learning not to look past this moment. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post This Moment Itself Is Mind appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 6 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Mumonkan #47, “Tosotsu’s Three Barriers” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on “Ichi Tantei, One Doing: Tangen Roshi of Bukkokuji.” Edited by Ron Klein. Translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa. Independently published, 2024. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Harada Tangen Roshi #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on “Ichi Tantei, One Doing: Tangen Roshi of Bukkokuji.” Edited by Ron Klein. Translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa. Independently published, 2024. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Harada Tangen Roshi #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on “The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin.” Translated by Normal Waddell. Shambhala, 1994 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Zen Master Hakuin #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on “The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin.” Translated by Normal Waddell. Shambhala, 1994 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Zen Master Hakuin #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

October 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on “The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin.”  Translated by Normal Waddell. Shambhala, 1994. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Zen Master Hakuin #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Though zazen is mainly considered a concentration practice, mindfulness plays an important role as well. Whether we’re working in the kitchen or walking in a park, everything flows more freely once mindfulness is in the forefront and we get out of the way. Dharma Talk by Ven. Trueman Taylor.  Automated Transcript The post The Two Sides of Practice: Mindfulness and Concentration appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

All beings and things expound the Dharma. With their spontaneity and wholehearted singing, what can we learn from birds? Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post The Dharma of Birds appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Trying to be perfect backfires and cuts us off from life. Openness and willingness is a better way. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Stop Fixing Yourself appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

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. It includes a succinct introduction to koans and koan practice. Teisho by Sensei Jissai Prince-Cherry.  Automated Transcript The post Blue Cliff Record #11: “Obaku’s ‘Mash Eaters'” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

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 The post Sesshin Encouragement appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.