Where'd You Get this Dust?

In this rich and accessible Dharma talk, Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner revisits the pivotal moment in the Platform Sūtra when Daikan Enō, an illiterate laborer, challenges the hierarchy of Zen with a single, luminous question: “Where did you get this dust?” Through the story of Enō’s awakening and the symbolic contest of verses, Sensei explores the subtle trap of self-perfection in practice—and the liberating realization that our true nature needs no polishing. Touching on Zen history, modern psychology, and temple bat-catching, this talk offers both humor and depth while guiding listeners back to the heart of the path: presence, curiosity, and the recognition that awakening is already here.

Episode 17 of the Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast podcast, hosted by Sensei Michael Brunner, titled "Where'd You Get this Dust?" was published on August 4, 2025 and runs 14 minutes.

August 4, 2025 ·14m · Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast

Summary

In this rich and accessible Dharma talk, Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner revisits the pivotal moment in the Platform Sūtra when Daikan Enō, an illiterate laborer, challenges the hierarchy of Zen with a single, luminous question: “Where did you get this dust?” Through the story of Enō’s awakening and the symbolic contest of verses, Sensei explores the subtle trap of self-perfection in practice—and the liberating realization that our true nature needs no polishing. Touching on Zen history, modern psychology, and temple bat-catching, this talk offers both humor and depth while guiding listeners back to the heart of the path: presence, curiosity, and the recognition that awakening is already here.

Episode Description