The Fourth Paramita: Diligence

Dharma Talk – 11/07/2021 In Sanskrit ‘paramita’ literally means ‘having reached the other shore.’ It also means ‘transcendence,’ or ‘perfection.’ If we exist on the shore of suffering, reaching the other shore would mean leaving suffering behind and becoming enlightened. Hence, transcendence means to become free from mental afflictions, (the causes of suffering) and from suffering itself. The true practice of the paramitas is to be free from self-attachment and self-cherishing.

Spiritual Friendship

The Sangha or Spiritual Friendship is at the very core of the Buddha’s teachings. Since the inception of the Ordinary Zen Sangha in the spring of 2015, I have had the honor to practice with many wonderful human beings who have had a profound effect on my practice and life journey. I am very grateful and consider each and everyone without exception, to be a spiritual friend.  I will always hold each of you in my heart-mind with compassion and […]

Moutains and rivers are just so

Sharing a poem and its meaning. (https://ordinaryzensangha.org/mountains-rivers-are-just-so/) Dharma Talk, Oct. 17, 2021.

The goose that wasn’t.

The goose that wasn’t. A Magician is caught up in her own magic trick! Dharma Talks from our retreat on Saturday, Oct. 2. 2021.

Be Real-Get Real

Dharma Talk – Sunday 9/19/21 Welcoming the Fall Equinox with a poem… The yellow leaves of a thousand trees fill the empty ground. Leaves are very good for writing a living zen poem. On the endless leaves are an endless poem. Doubling, doubling, there is no end to IL-bung’s poem. –Il-bung

Mastering the Art of Your Life

Dharma Talk 9/12/2021 Are you mindful of each step you take or are you always thinking ten steps ahead and never getting there?

Groundless Ground

Dharma Talk Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. How can we be comforted by knowing there is nothing we can hold on to or grasp?