AZC Weekly talks
This podcast contains almost all the talks given at the Auckland Zen Centre since 2016. Most of the talks are by Roshi Amala Wrightson, but it also features talks from Sensei Richard von Sturmer and senior students. It offers a collection of Zen teachings and discussions from the centre.
Episodes
2026-08-11 Patience
The Kshanti Paramita. Active patience or forbearance as an antidote to anger.
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 AitkenDisciples of the Buddha, Zenno Ishigami.
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.
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.
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.
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 HeineOf the Same Root: Animals and Our Relationship with them by Philip Kapleau.
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 Life: a Buddhist Case for Becoming Vegetarian and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarcz
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.
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 Hillman, "Wars, Arms, Rams, Mars: On the Love of War".
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 MumonkanBooks used in the teisho:Zen's Chinese Heritage by Andy Ferguson and The Gateless Barrier by Robert Aitken.
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.
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.
2026-01-09 Master Dōgen's Life and Teaching 5
Sources: How to Train an Ox and Primer of Soto Zen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.Sources: There is No Suffering by Master Sheng Yen, Dharma Drum 2001, and W
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 ChayatOriginal Dwelling Place by Robert AitkenRemembering Nakagawa Soen Roshi by Estelle Gerard.
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.
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.
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.
2025-09-08 H 80 Zhaozhou's "Newborn baby" Part Two
Description: Constant flow.Source: Zen's Chinese Heritage by Andy Fergusson.
2025-09-07 H 80 Zhaozhou's "Newborn baby" Part One
Description: Constant flow.
2025-09-06 Pointers for sitting
Some pointers and cautions for zazen at the beginning of our 7-day sesshin.Sources: Various.
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 able to effectively help other beings to find liberation.Sources: Dharma Rain eds Stephani
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.
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 ego-attrition happens both on the meditation cushion and in our work in the world.Source:&nbs
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, "Resilient Grieving - How to Find Your Way Through Devastating Loss", Allen and Unwin, 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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 training is preparation for life in the world, not the goal of life in the world."Sources: Awakenin
2025-04-29 Yunmen's "Every Day Is a Good Day"
Texts:Urs App, Master YunmenMaster Sheng-yen, The Sword of Wisdom.
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.
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.
2025-04-01 Dharma Ancestors: Hakuun Yasutani Roshi
Main text: Flowers Fall: A Commentary on Zen Master Dogen's Genjokoan translated by Paul Jaffe.
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.
2025-02-25 Ahimsa and Insects
Main references:Nine Lives by William DalrympleThe Secret Life of Flies by Erica McAlisterIchi Tantei: talks by Tangen Roshi
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 Good Mind article by Freida J. Jacques.
2025-01-09 Teachings of Tangen Roshi 6
Readings from: Throw Yourself Into the House of Buddha : the Life & Zen Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi / translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa ; edited by Kogen Czarnik.
2025-01-08 Teachings of Tangen Roshi 5
Readings from: Throw Yourself Into the House of Buddha : the Life & Zen Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi / translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa ; edited by Kogen Czarnik.
2025-01-07 Teachings of Tangen Roshi 4
Readings from: Throw Yourself Into the House of Buddha : the Life & Zen Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi / translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa ; edited by Kogen Czarnik.
2025-01-06 Teachings of Tangen Roshi 3
Readings from: Ichi Tantei = One Doing / Tangen Roshi of Bukkokuji ; teisho translations by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa ; edited by Ron Klein.
2025-01-05 Teachings of Tangen Roshi 2
Readings from: Ichi Tantei = One Doing / Tangen Roshi of Bukkokuji ; teisho translations by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa ; edited by Ron Klein.
2025-01-04 Teachings of Tangen Roshi 1
Readings from: Throw Yourself Into the House of Buddha : the Life & Zen Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi / translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa ; edited by Kogen Czarnik.
2024-11-26 The Nature of Mara.
Texts used in the teisho:Karen Armstrong, BuddhaStephen Batchelor, Living with the DevilNyanaponika Thera and Hellmuth Hecker, Great Disciples of the Buddha
2024-11-05 Remembering Parihaka
Educating ourselves about our colonial history can be a way of honouring Te Tiriti. We can learn much from Parihaka about waging peace and the power of non-violence, as Gandhi did.Sources: Shifting Grounds, Deep Histories of Tamaki Makaurau Auckland by Lucy Mackintosh Bridget Williams BooksAsk that Mountain by Dick Scott Raupo 1975
2024-10-27 Zen and Character Part Two (Sensei Richard von Sturmer)
Book quoted from: The Force of Character by James Hillman.
2024-10-15 Zen and Character Part One (Sensei Richard von Sturmer)
Book quoted from: The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling by James Hillman.
2024-09-12 Subtle Sound 4
Daily life practice and "What is this and how did it get here?"Sources: Meetings with Remarkable Women, Lenore Friedman, Shambhala 1987Subtle Sound ed. Roko Sherry Chayat Shambhala 1996
2024-09-11 Subtle Sound 3
Painting legs on a snakeSources:Meetings with Remarkable Women, Lenore Friedman, Shambhala 1987Subtle Sound ed. Roko Sherry Chayat Shambhala 1996
2024-09-10 Subtle Sound 2
Sesshin mindReadings from Stephen Batchelor's Introduction to his translation of Nagarjuna's Verses from the Centre.
2024-09-09 Teachings of Nagarjuna 2 (Sensei Richard von Sturmer)
Nagarjuna's Verses from the Centre Part Two. In this teisho we concentrate on the verses themselves.Sources: Verses from the Centre translated by Stephen BatchelorThe Unborn: Life and Teachings of Zen Master Bankei by Norman Waddell
2024-09-08 Teachings of Nagarjuna 1 (Sensei Richard von Sturmer)
Readings from Stephen Batchelor's Introduction to his translation of Nagarjuna's Verses from the Centre. Nargajuna was an important Indian teacher and our 14th Zen Ancestor. Batchelor calls him "the poet of emptiness".
2024-09-07 Subtle Sound: Teachings from Maurine Stuart Roshi 1
Mostly biographical materialSources: Meetings with Remarkable Women, Lenore Friedman, Shambhala 1987Subtle Sound ed. Roko Sherry Chayat Shambhala 1996
2024-09-03 Dharma Ancestors: Daiun Sogaku Harada Roshi (Sensei Richard von Sturmer)
Teisho by Sensei Richard von SturmerReadings from the autobiography of Daiun Sogaku Harada-roshi, Roshi Kapleau's first teacher.
2024-08-20 The Four Nutriments 3
Individual consciousness, collective consciousness, universal consciousness.Sources: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider London 2021, Canticle to the Cosmos video series by Brian Swimme.
2024-08-06 The Four Nutriments 2
We can learn to guard our mind and nurture our aspiration by being careful of what we consume.Source: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider London 2021.
2024-07-23 The Four Nutriments 1
What we consume shapes us -- not just the food and drink that nourish our physical body but also the impressions of our five senses, what we long for, and what we think. We can learn to be mindful of our mind/body and be careful about what we consume.Sources: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh, Rider London 2021;The Universe is a Green D
2024-07-09 Questions of King Milinda (Sensei Richard von Sturmer)
Teisho by Sensei Richard von Sturmer.The Milindapañha (lit. 'Questions of Milinda') is a Buddhist text which dates from sometime between 100 BC and 200 AD. It is a dialogue between the Indian Buddhist sage Nāgasena, and the 2nd century BC Indo-Greek king Menander I (Pali: Milinda).
2024-06-28 Authorising a Teacher in Zen (Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede)
Morality, Awakening and Meditation -- that is, good character, prajna wisdom and daily zazen -- are what is looked for in a Zen teacher.Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede.
2024-06-11 The Three Treasures
All the other precepts we take at Jukai flow from our taking refuge in Buddha (realisation), Dharma (truth) and Sangha (harmony).Various sources.
2024-05-28 Matariki Jukai - Right Speech
Some background on why we receive the sixteen precepts at Matariki. The importance of attending to our often harsh inner speech, and seeing through it.Source(s): Advice Not GIven by Mark Epstein, Hay House 2018
2024-05-14 Vesak
Some reflections on why we have ceremonies and rituals, and look at some of the legends behind the bathing of the baby Buddha.
2024-04-24 Life and Teachings of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi (Sensei Richard von Sturmer)
A Dharma talk by Sensei Richard von Sturmer.Texts used: Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teachings of Shunryu Suzuki by David Chadwick; To Shine One Corner of the World by David Chadwick.
2024-04-23 Transforming Anger
A first-hand case study in working with reactive states of mind.Source(s): A Fire Runs Through All Things: Zen Koans for Facing the Climate Crisis by Susan Murphy, Shambhala 2023
2024-04-02 Responding to difficult and uncertain times
Comments on ten zen pointers on the practice of welcomingSource: Article by John Tarrant "How to welcome the end of the world" in Lion's Roar November 2016.
2024-03-19 Affirming Faith in Faith in Mind 8
Just calmly see that all is one and by themselves false views will go.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.
2024-02-13 Affirming Faith in Mind 7
These dreams are merely flowers of air.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.
2024-01-30 Affirming Faith in Mind 6
The wise do not strive after goals.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.
2024-01-11 H 2 Joshu's "The Great Way is Not Difficult"
The great Master Joshu gives a teaching on non-abiding.Sources: various
2024-01-10 Affirming Faith in Mind 5
Beyond the easy and the hard.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.
2024-01-09 Affirming Faith in Mind 4
Dropping things and mind.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.
2024-01-08 Affirming Faith in Mind 3
Unifying the mind.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987
2024-01-07 Affirming Faith in Mind 2
Attempts to stop activity will fill you with activity.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.
2024-01-06 Affirming Faith in Mind 1
How we create a sense of self with our habit of approval, disapproval and indifference.Sources: RZC translation of Affirming Faith in Mind, in Chants and Recitations, Rochester Zen Center, 2005 and Faith in Mind: A Guide to Zen Practice by Master Sheng-Yen, Dharma Drum Publications, 1987.
2023-12-03 True Self- No Self (Jissai Prince-Cherry)
Dharma Talk by Jissai Prince-Cherry.Jissai Prince-Cherry has been practicing with the Rochester Zen Center since 1996 and currently serves as the Center's Online Head of Zendo as well as Group Leader of the Louisville Zen Center. In 2022, she was ordained as a Zen Buddhist Priest. She joined us via Zoom to give this dharma talk.
