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Zen Talking

by ewk

Zen is a tradition from India that passed into China. Zen culture is based on the Five Lay Precepts, the Four Statements of Zen, and Zen's only practice: Public Interview, which is where we get Zen koans.This podcast covers topics like: What does that koan mean? How is Zen different from Buddhism/Christianity/Zazen? Why isn't Zen a philosophy? What do Zen Masters say that is applicable to modern life? What does it mean to have a community/sangha?

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Episodes

  1. Zen Talking: Soto-Caodong Master Wansong on the Subtle Barrier

    Read the History, Talk the History, 10/4 Episode #: 312 #Post(s) in Question * https://www.reddit.com/r/askZen/comments/1witche/wansongs_sequel_book_of_clarifications_case_8/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? We talked about how I couldn't figure…

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  2. Zen Talking: Nice Pants!

    Read the History, Talk the History, # Episode #: 311, 8/9 ### ###Post: * https://old.reddit.com/r/askZen/comments/1vizzev/xutangs_on_behalf_of_case_30_yunjus_trousers/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Do pants exist? Chaps? Leg warmers? Pants as…

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  3. Zen Talking: Precepts and Enlightenment, Compass and Conspiracy

    Read the History, Talk the History, 8-5-26 Episode #: 310 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: * https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/s/sgWSJawscL ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? ritual, structure, enlightenment the full case with a second visit to Mazu…

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  4. Zen Talking: I'll have what the Teacher is Having

    Call Notes Read the History, Talk the History, 4-15-26 Episode #: 309 #Post(s) https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1slh03w/a_teacher_that_makes_you_feel_i_want_what_they/ ###Link to episode: ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Is Zhaozhou a teacher...

  5. Zen Talking:- Bielefeldt: 11 years later

    Zen Talking: 11 years later - Bielefeldt and the debunking of Zazen Read the History, Talk the History, Episode #308 ,7/16/2026, #Post(s) in Question ###Post: * https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1uwzo5v/the_bielefeldt_argument_the_empty_robe/ ###Link to all episodes:...

  6. Zen Talking: Meaning and Intention in Zen teachings

    Read the History, Talk the History, 7/10/2026 Episode #: 307 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: * https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1uql2yh/haggling_and_babbling/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Translating the Fox Case. The cursed monk as a...

  7. Zen Talking: Divorcing Zen from Mahayana

    Read the History, Talk the History, # Episode #: #Post(s) in Question ###Post: * https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1u7a075/divorcing_zen_from_mahayana_the_2002_paper_what/ * https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/tva86b/more_form_harrison_searching_for_the_origins_of/ ###Link to all episodes:...

  8. Zen Talking: Zen vs Mindfulness

    Read the History, Talk the History, 4-22 Episode #: 305 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1srmxik/comment/ohm335u/?context=1 ###Link to episode: ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Kinds of mindfulness, calculation,...

  9. Zen Talking: What are "Good Zen Manners"?

    Read the History, Talk the History, 2/17 Episode #304 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: * https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1rehlm5/zen_manners_part_2_why_is_zen_like_this/ ###Link to episode: ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # Keep in Touch Add a comment if there is a…

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  10. Zen Talking: More Faith, More Mind, More Robots

    Read the History, Talk the History, 4-9 Episode #: 303 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: ###Link to episode: ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Faith in Mind translation... chinese and english are weird. Also is cadence in poetry a thing in ancient…

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  11. Zen Talking: ReadZen in Korea

    Read the History, Talk the History, 4-23 Episode #: 302 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: * https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1spubtz/zen_goes_to_korea/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? ***ReadZen is an rZen tool from dota2nub (download and Web...

  12. Zen Talking: Taking a break from Zen study

    Read the History, Talk the History, 4-26 Episode #: 301 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: * https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/s/rZltoQ6tyd ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Quitting study. Quitting Enlightenment Can you quit talking to them? # Keep in Touch...

  13. Zen Talking: Case 17 Book of Serenity, Zen instruction by Soto-Caodong Master Wansong

    Read the History, Talk the History, 4-14 Episode #: 300 #Post(s) in Question https://www.reddit.com/r/askZen/comments/1srmpqi/zen_talking_podcast_case_17_wansongs_book_of/? ###Link to episode: ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? The center of this…

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  14. Zen Talking: Bookstore Crap vs 1,000 years of history

    Read the History, Talk the History, #299 ,2-4-26 Episode: #Post(s) in Question Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1qut7e0/ > Are most zen books you find in the book store/library a bit…. crap? www.reddit.com/r/zen/wiki/getstarted I want to ask people who are more well versed: am I thick…

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  15. Zen Talking: Am I Enlightened?

    Read the History, Talk the History, # Episode: #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1qq9ckf/from_the_dms_i_think_im_enligthened/ (Inspired by, is that a thing?) ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # Keep in Touch Add a comment if there is a post...

  16. Talking Zen Podcast: CBETA Tool - Zen vs Machine

    Read the History, Talk the History Episode: 1-23 #297 #Post(s) in Question https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1pq1ws4/brief_zhaozhou/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Translation in principle vs in practice. # Keep in Touch Add a comment if…

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  17. Zen Talking: Zhaozhou's Person of the Past

    Read the History, Talk the History 12/16 Episode: 297 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zensangha/comments/1pniott/case_27_of_the_recorded_sayings_of_joshu/ Case 27, Zhaozhou, green trans. ###Link to episode: ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did...

  18. Zen Talking: Recipe from Your Heart

    Read the History, Talk the History #296, 12/10 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1pebaio/ez_absolute_truth/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? strengths and weakness of AI translators What does Prajna mean? cheeks…

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  19. Zen Talking - Absolute Truth

    Read the History, Talk the History 12/11 295 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1p6cus7/from_rzensangha_zen_masters_barriers/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? awareness, to have or have not, gates vs barriers vs...

  20. Zen Talking: Zen Barriers

    Read the History, Talk the History #293, 12/14 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1p6cus7/from_rzensangha_zen_masters_barriers/ ###Link to episode: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1p6cus7/from_rzensangha_zen_masters_barriers/ ###Link to all episodes:...

  21. Zen Talking: Zhaozhou and 1,000 hands

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question, #293 ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zensangha/comments/1pf0diz/comment/nt0ppf1/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Cafeteria vs Cheese board: What is picking and choosing? The monk beats...

  22. Zen Talking: Sutras are trash?

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zensangha/comments/1pcsoxr/zen_master_buddhas_teachings_are_trash_rubbish/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? # Keep in Touch Add a comment if there is a post...

  23. Zen Talking: Mexican Ingeniousness

    Read the History, Talk the History - Ep #291 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: ###Link to episode: www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1phgff0/zen_teachings_mexican_ingeniousness/? ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? MacGyver, Red Green Show, Belgian...

  24. Zen Talking: Knowledge and Habit Energies

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: Two different posts ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? # Keep in Touch Add a comment if there is a post you want somebody to get interviewed about, or you agree to be interviewed. We…

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  25. Zen Talking: Sangha for Everybody?

    Read the History, Talk the History, #Episode: 289 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Complete this yourself. # Keep in Touch Add a comment if there is a post you want somebody to get interviewed about, or you agree to…

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  26. Zen Talking - Sangha, Fear, Mental Health, Ignorance

    Read the History, Talk the History, #288 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1p6gkae/zen_talking_poverty/ (that's right, a podcast about a podcast episode) ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Barriers in Zen? Interest…

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  27. Zen Talking: Why so famous? r/Zen's most controversial reference

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/wiki/famous_cases ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Aggressiveness bad in the modern world. Virtue essential to Christianity, Buddhism, Zazen, Yoga, etc....

  28. Zen Talking: Linji Teaching... but What is he talking about?

    Read the History, Talk the History #286 #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1p5gwt7/from_the_dms_linjis_never_been/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? What are the three vehicles? How about "obedience, compassion, and...

  29. Zen Talking: Nanquan Reincarnated as Bull

    Post(s) in Question Ep. 285 Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1p0bgci/from_rzensangha_nanquan_form_of_a_water_buffalo/? Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 What did we talk about? Multiple level of meanings of Zen koans * Zen Master traditional challenge questions…

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  30. Zen Talking: That's no moon... that's Silent Illumination!

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1olllu9/moon_face_zen_master/ and https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1ojb7tp/silent_illumination_exposed/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about?...

  31. Zen Talking: Foyan's Facing It Directly... Facing What?

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1ot5j59/foyan_qingyuan_facing_it_directly_dont_miss_whats/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Entering from the East isn't going to work because...

  32. Zen Talking: Nanquan breaks the precepts

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1ovutd7/nanquan_breaks_the_precepts/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? How to explain one culture to another? Who is to blame for a series of...

  33. Zen Talking: Poverty and Dependence

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1ou8o2m/from_the_open_thread_not_lacking/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Ascetism and poverty... Huangbo? Eating in context. Is there any...

  34. Zen Talking: Zhaozhou's Nothing Lacking

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1ou8o2m/from_the_open_thread_not_lacking/? ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? What is poverty? Zen Masters bragging on poverty of possessions vs...

  35. Zen Talking: Moon Face Buddha - Social Media and Mental Health

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1olllu9/moon_face_zen_master/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Social media... rZen... health... Zen has always been "social media" in it's...

  36. Zen Talking: Bodhidharma's Mind and Anxiety Pacification

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1op5z79/bodhidharmas_mind_pacification_from_the_dms/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Short term clarity, long term confusion... or…

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  37. Zen Talking: Zhaozhou's Bright or Dark

    Read the History, Talk the History #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1oo6nj2/light_or_dark_recorded_sayings_of_zen_master/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Bright and dark: jewel and mirror. Lanka and Platform...

  38. Zen Talking - Eating Grass: Reincarnated Almsgiver's Ox

    #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1o6d09y/lonely_footnote_60_feeding_grass/ ###Link to episode: Alms Giver's Ox, Tribeless Men, and the Loneliness Epidemic ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? THE MALE LONELINESS...

  39. Zen Talking: Zen's Traditional Violence... which goes a little off topic

    #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1nwytsk/i_choose_violence_zen_study_in_a_violent_tradition/ ###Link to episode: ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Cancel Culture as violence. Zen Cancel Culture via Xiangyang....

  40. Zen Talking: How hard are koans?

    #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1n9p3s9/some_zen_koans_can_be_incredibly_absurd_but_how/ ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Theory of study: If you can't read French, then of course French confuses you. If…

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  41. Zen Talking: Belly for Zen

    #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1mgiv6r/building_a_single_belly_for_zen/ The Illusory Man by Zhonfeng Mingben 12. Enter The Gate Abruptly Understand that the Great Illusory Dharma Gate is right at the soles of your feet and has never moved a single hair. You…

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  42. Zen Talking: Xuefeng's Grain of Rice

    #Post(s) in Question ###Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/askZen/comments/1mg51jw/making_sense_of_the_bcr_case_5_xuefengs_grain_of/ Xuefeng said to his group, (One blind man leading a crowd of the blind. It's not beyond him.) . "Pick up the whole world, and it;s as big as a grain of rice." (What...

  43. Zen Talking: Zen and Buddhism

    #Post(s) in Question ### Post: There wasn't a post! ###Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Despite connection problems and mic quality, an interesting conversation with someone who knocked on some doors and has thoughts about that. I didn't edit the...

  44. Zen Talking: Cause, Effect, and Community

    #Post(s) in Question Post: Cause Effect and Community Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? 1. cause & effect 2. "chilling effect" - people being discouraged from participation 3. Hermits v.s. socialites (retreating from public v.s. being beholden to...

  45. Zen Talking - Don't Misconceive, from Dahui's Shobogenzo

    #Post(s) in Question Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1ls8bau/treasury_492_dont_misconceive/ 'Muslin Robe' Zhao one night pointed to the half moon and asked elder Pu, "Where has the other part gone?" Pu said, "Don't misconceive." Zhao said, "You've lost a piece." Dahui said, "He gets…

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  46. Zen Talking: Falling into Cause and Effect

    #Post(s) in Question Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1lq84sk/falling_into_cause_and_effect/ Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Zen Masters tell people that enlightenment is not based on cause and effect, and that enlightened people are not...

  47. Zen Talking - May 4 - Lady Zen Master Case 2: Zen is the Best!

    #Post(s) in Question Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/askZen/s/AiaILuDT3X Link to episode: Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Who are the Patriarchs? Previous translation errors. How to make sense from one sentence to the next in Zen formal poetic...

  48. Zen Talking - April 26 2025 - Miaozong, Woman As Zen Master - Case 1

    #Post(s) in Question Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/askZen/comments/1k3q9px/a_zen_lady_in_translation_case_1_the/ Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? Translating the first Case of the book of instruciton by a female Zen Master. Discussion of…

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  49. Zen Talking - April 12, 2025: Koans: 1,000 years of history about how to survive Tariffs, Trumps, and Turmoil

    #Post(s) in Question Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1jucfhx/koans_1000_years_of_history_about_how_to_survive/ Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? How do we know what "donkey" means in China, on a Zen commune, 1500 years ago? This is the...

  50. March 31 2025 - Talking Zen: Translation Error "Picking and Choosing" from Faith in Mind

    #Post(s) in Question Post: https://old.reddit.com/r/zen/comments/1jnfsd4/translation_error_sunday_picking_and_choosing/ Link to all episodes: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831 # What did we talk about? alternate translations mind body problems what you already have is it magic eye pictures, factory...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Zen is a tradition from India that passed into China. Zen culture is based on the Five Lay Precepts, the Four Statements of Zen, and Zen's only practice: Public Interview, which is where we get Zen koans.This podcast covers topics like: What does that koan mean? How is Zen different from Buddhism/Christianity/Zazen? Why isn't Zen a philosophy? What do Zen Masters say that is applicable to modern life? What does it mean to have a community/sangha?

HOSTED BY

ewk

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Zen Talking have?

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

What is Zen Talking about?

Zen is a tradition from India that passed into China. Zen culture is based on the Five Lay Precepts, the Four Statements of Zen, and Zen's only practice: Public Interview, which is where we get Zen koans.This podcast covers topics like: What does that koan mean? How is Zen different from...

How often does Zen Talking release new episodes?

Zen Talking publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Zen Talking?

You can listen to Zen Talking 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 Zen Talking?

Zen Talking is created and hosted by ewk.
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