Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community

In this teisho from a few weeks ago, Sunya-roshi talks about how in a world of war and vast suffering, flowers still miraculously leap out of the ground, new blossoms burst forth from bare branches, birds again sing their exuberant spring songs. Our dharma practice together can help us to open to all of it: the searing pain of the senseless death and destruction, the glory and wonder of this annual Rebirth—and the healing power of the Timeless Spring within our own heart-mind. If you're interested in learning more about Sunya-roshi and Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), just visit windhorse.org.

Roshi Sunya Kjolhede tells a story of prince from Persia who must rouse his courage and face a terrifying lion to become king. In much the same way, we muster our courage in practice to face whatever comes our way. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this final teisho from the Summer 2025 7-Day Sesshin, Sunya-roshi talks about Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of compassion in action or skillful means. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from the Summer 2025 7-Day Sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede talks about Bodhidharma meeting Emperor Wu of Liang (Hekiganroku #1) and how nothing is holy or seperate. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from the Summer 2025 sesshin, Sunya-roshi gives advice on sesshin guidelines and the importance of recommitting oneself to practice. She also talks more about the importance of early childhood experiences that often lead one to Zen. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from the Summer 2025 7-Day Sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede talks about Kannon (Guanyin/Avalokitasvara), the Bodhisattva of Compassion. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

This is a kind of third part to Sunya-roshi's "55 Years of Practice" series. She looks at the importance of experiences in childhood that lead to Zen practice—not only hers, but others. She begins with the Buddha's Rose Apple Remembrance. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

2025 marked the fifty-fifth anniversary of when Sunya-roshi first met Roshi Philip Kapleau (then Sensei) and moved from Michigan to the Rochester Zen Center to practice. In this second of two special teisho, Sunya-roshi talks about memories of the early days of the Rochester Zen Center and the Polish Sangha. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

2025 marked the fifty-fifth anniversary of when Sunya-roshi first met Roshi Philip Kapleau (then Sensei) and moved from Michigan to the Rochester Zen Center to practice. In this first of two special teisho, Sunya-roshi offers a bit of a practice retrospective on her years as a student and as a teacher of Zen Buddhism. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from the March 2025 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede concludes her series on Affirming Faith in Mind (Xinxin Ming). This long chant is attributed to Sengcan, the third Chinese Zen ancestor. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from the March 2025 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede continues her series on Affirming Faith in Mind (Xinxin Ming). This long chant is attributed to Sengcan, the third Chinese Zen ancestor. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from the March 2025 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede continues her series on Affirming Faith in Mind (Xinxin Ming). This long chant is attributed to Sengcan, the third Chinese Zen ancestor. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from the March 2025 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede begins a series on Affirming Faith in Mind (Xinxin Ming). This long chant is attributed to Sengcan, the third Chinese Zen ancestor. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

September 27, 2025 marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Helene ripping up the coast and decimating of Asheville and Western North Carolina. Windhrose was in the final day of a 5-Day Zentensive Sesshin when it hit. In this first teisho after we reopened, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede talked about the necessity of practice during difficult times. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi & Lawson-roshi, and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

This teisho is from the seventh day of Windhorse's 2024 Rohatsu Sesshin offered by Roshi Sunya Kjolhede. In it, she begins by discussing Case #46 of the Mumonkan, "How do you step from the top of a 100 foot pole?" To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

This teisho is from the fifth day of Windhorse's 2024 Rohatsu Sesshin offered by Roshi Sunya Kjolhede. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses Case #14 of the Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku) on the third day of Windhorse's 2024 Rohatsu Sesshin. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede reflects on the spiritual, cultural, and historical context of the Buddha's awakening, emphasizing its relevance to our present-day challenges. She calls us to renew their dedication and to affirm that the potential for awakening exists within all beings, right here and now. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the importance of the animal kingdom, one of the six realms of existence in the Buddhist Wheel of Life. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from November 2024, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the life and teachings of Suzuki Shōsan (1579-1655). Originally a samurai warrior, Shōsan studied Zen and became a teacher. One of the practices he advocated was to keep awareness of your eventual death in the forefront at all times. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

Here, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede concludes her series on the life and teachings of Master Dahui (his Japanized name is Daie Zenji) from the October 2024 7-Day Sesshin. He is one of the greatest Zen Masters of Song Dynasty China. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org. 

Roshi Sunya Kjolhede continues her series on the life and teachings of Master Dahui (his Japanized name is Daie Zenji). He is one of the greatest Zen Masters of Song Dynasty China. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org. 

Roshi Sunya Kjolhede continues her series on the life and teachings of Master Dahui (his Japanized name is Daie Zenji). He is one of the greatest Zen Masters of Song Dynasty China. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org. 

From this first teisho of the Fall 2024 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede begins her series on the life and teachings of Master Dahui (his Japanized name is Daie Zenji). As she discussed in the previous podcast on his "Vow for Enlightenment" chant that we use at Windhorse, he is one of the greatest Zen Masters of the Song Dynasty in China. But, she begins the teisho with some admonishments on how we should take care in how we treat each other—both in sesshin and out. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org. 

In this teisho, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede unpacks "Master Dahui's Vow For Enlightenment," a chant often used at Windhorse. Dahui (Japanized: Daie Zenji) was a well-known Zen Master from the Song dynasty. This chant reflects his intense desire for awakening and he inspires us to follow suit "however long the road ahead appears to be." To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the miscellaneous koan (localized for our Appalachian mountains): "On top of Mount Mitchell, a cloud is cooking rice." To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from June of '24, Sunya-roshi discusses Tangen's verse to the Emperor in Case #18 "The National Teacher's Seamless Monument" of the Hekiganroku (Blue Cliff Record). She talks about the importance of practice while travelling. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org

In this deep dive into the teisho vault, Sunya-roshi (here just Sunya-sensei) gives a special talk from May 2005 on the immediacy of practice. Please be aware the the audio does take a few seconds to start. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org

In this final teisho from the Summer '24 7-Day Sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses Case #31 of The Gateless Gate (Mumonkan), "Joshu Sees Through The Old Woman." She ends with the Flowers Poem, anonymous verses written by a Zen monk often used at funerals and memorial services. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhosezen.org

In this teisho offered on the fourth day of our 2024 Summer Sesshin, Sunya-roshi talks about waking up and giving ourselves fully to the practice. She tells the story of one of the Buddha's disciples who, while not very smart, awakened to his original nature by sweeping. And she speaks of Shitou Xiqian (Sekitō Kisen) and his first meeting with his teacher. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhosezen.org  

In this teisho from the second day of the Summer 2024 sesshin, Sunya-roshi talks about how we ultimately cannot talk about Zen. Zen Practice needs to be embodied. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and the dharma work here in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org

In this teisho from June of 2024, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the Vimalakirti Sutra. She talks about how we work with suffering, illness and death. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhosezen.org

In all the mystical traditions of various religions, love is oft discussed, but it is seldom mentioned in Zen Buddhism. In this recent teisho from early March of 2025, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses how love can be a tricky word to define or experience—but also how wholehearted Zen practice helps dig up the concrete of views and judgements to rediscover the "living greeness" of our own depths right here. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org

In this recent and timely dharma talk from the end of February 2025, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the anxieties of our time and how despair is not an option. It's only through deep practice with a radical love that we can open to the chaos and tumult around us. 

In this Dharma talk from May 2024, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede uses the Eight Worldly Winds teaching of the Buddha to show that Zen practice is a radical departure from the whirlwind of our buy/sell society. She also discusses Case #26 of the Mumonkan, Two Monks Roll Up The Blinds. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org

In this talk given on April 28, 2024 at the Windhorse Zen Community outside of Asheville, NC, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses tips on how to take Zen home. She focuses on body practices such as the use of the eyes, centering your attention on your hara (lower belly), and chanting—among many others. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and the dharma work here in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org

Using Case #84 of the Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku), Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the power and necessity of silence in our lives. This talk was given on January 14th, 2024 at Windhorse Zen Community near Asheville, NC. To donate or learn more about us and our dharma work, visit windhorsezen.org Case #84: Vimalakirti's Gate of Non-Duality Vimalakirti asked Manjusri, "What is the Bodhisattva's Dharma gate of non-duality?" Manjusri answered, "To my mind, in all dharmas there are no words, no preaching, no  demonstration, and no recognition. It is beyond all questions and answers. That is entering the Dharma gate of non-duality." Then Manjusri asked Vimalakirti, "Each of us has had his say. Now tell us, good man, what is the bodhisattva's entry into the Dharma gate of non-duality?" [Setcho commented, saying, "What did Vimalakirti say?" And again he says, "I have seen through him."]        

This talk was given by Roshi Sunya Kjolhede at Windhorse Zen Community near Asheville, NC on Sunday, November 26, 2023.  To donate or learn more about us and our dharma work, visit windhorsezen.org

This teisho was given by Roshi Sunya Kjolhede at Windhorse Zen Community in 2016.  For more information visit windhorsezen.org, and consider donating to sustain our dharma work while you're there.

Part three in Sunya Roshi's series on Zen Master Hakuin, given in August of 2020.  Windhorsezen.org

Part two in Sunya Roshi's series on Zen Master Hakuin, given in August 2020.  Windhorsezen.org

This talk was given by Roshi Sunya Kjolhede at Windhorse Zen Community on July 12, 2020.

This talk was given by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi at one of our regular Sunday programs on May 2, 2021. To find out more about all the things the Windhorse Zen Center has to offer, please visit:  windhorsezen.org Sunya is a sanctioned Dharma heir of the late, Philip Kapleau Roshi (author of the Three Pillars of Zen and former abbot of the Rochester Zen center). She has been practicing in the Zen tradition for over 40 years and is co-abbot (along with her husband, Lawson Sachter Roshi) of the Windhorse Zen center, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, NC. These teachings are offered free of charge. If you would like to help support the center, please click the "Donate" button on our website. windhorsezen.org

This talk was given by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi at one of our regular Sunday program's. To find out more about all the things the Windhorse Zen Center has to offer, please visit:  windhorsezen.org Sunya is a sanctioned Dharma heir of the late, Philip Kapleau Roshi (author of the Three Pillars of Zen and former abbot of the Rochester Zen center). She has been practicing in the Zen tradition for over 40 years and is currently the co-abbot (along with her husband, Lawson Sachter Roshi) of the Windhorse Zen center, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, NC. These teachings are offered free of charge. If you would like to help support the center, please click the "Donate" button on our website. windhorsezen.org

This talk was given by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi at the Windhorse Zen Community, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Sunya is a sanctioned Dharma heir of the late, Philip Kapleau Roshi (author of the Three Pillars of Zen and former abbot of the Rochester Zen center). She has been practicing in the Zen tradition for over 40 years and is currently the co-abbot (along with her husband, Lawson Sachter Roshi) of the Windhorse Zen center, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, NC. These teachings are offered free of charge. If you would like to help support the center, please click the "Donate" button on our website. windhorsezen.org

This talk was given by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi at the Windhorse Zen Community, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Sunya is a sanctioned Dharma heir of the late, Philip Kapleau Roshi (author of the Three Pillars of Zen and former abbot of the Rochester Zen center). She has been practicing in the Zen tradition for over 40 years and is currently the co-abbot (along with her husband, Lawson Sachter Roshi) of the Windhorse Zen center, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, NC. These teachings are offered free of charge. If you would like to help support the center, please click the "Donate" button on our website. windhorsezen.org

This talk was given by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi at the Windhorse Zen Community, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Sunya is a sanctioned Dharma heir of the late, Philip Kapleau Roshi (author of the Three Pillars of Zen and former abbot of the Rochester Zen center). She has been practicing in the Zen tradition for over 40 years and is currently the co-abbot (along with her husband, Lawson Sachter Roshi) of the Windhorse Zen center, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, NC. These teachings are offered free of charge. If you would like to help support the center, please click the "Donate" button on our website. windhorsezen.org

This talk was given by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi at the Windhorse Zen Community, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina.

This talk was given by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi at the Windhorse Zen Community, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina.

This talk was given by Sunya Kjolhede Roshi at the Windhorse Zen Community, located in the mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina.