In this section, you’ll find teachings and reflections on the Dharma—the path of Buddhist practice as transmitted by Zen masters. The posts include commentaries on classical texts, explanations of core Zen Buddhist concepts, and practical applications of the Dharma in daily life. Whether you’re new to Zen or have an established practice, this section offers resources to deepen your understanding and experience of the spiritual path.
In this Dharma workshop, we will study the Vimalakirti Sutra and its message that practice leads us to an inconceivable freedom. Is it possible to realize awakening without withdrawing from family, work, and everyday responsibilities? Does practicing the Dharma require us to retreat from the world, or can it fully manifest in the midst of…
In this Dharma workshop, we will study Bodhidharma’s Principle and Practice and explore their relationship with the Lankavatara Sutra. What does it mean to practice Zen? Is understanding the Buddha’s teachings enough, or must we also transform the way we live? Bodhidharma, considered the first Zen ancestor in China, explained that there are two gateways…
The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Ancestor is one of the most influential texts in the Chan tradition, from which Zen originated. Associated with Huineng (638–713), the Sixth Ancestor of Chinese Chan, it invites us to recognize that awakening is not a distant reality that we must attain, but our original nature, present here and…
The Gakudō Yōjinshū, or Ten Foundations of Zen, is a work written by Eihei Dōgen, a 13th-century Japanese Zen master and founder of the Sōtō Zen school in Japan. This text is primarily addressed to monks and Zen practitioners and offers guidance on how to live a life of proper Zen practice. Foundations of Dōgen’s…
The Eight Awakenings of the Great Beings Before his death, the Buddha gave his disciples one final teaching so they could continue on the path of full awareness eternally: the Eight Awakenings of the Great Beings. The great beings are the Buddhas, the awakened ones, those who follow the path of full awareness. Practicing these…
The Ten Stages of Ox Herding: A Zen Teaching The Ten Stages of Ox Herding is a well-known Zen teaching, and perhaps one of the first stories we encounter when beginning the study of Zen. In a conventional academic career, we acquire knowledge, complete courses, and earn degrees. However, in the Zen tradition, the use…
What does Bodhicitta or Bodaishin mean? Bodaishin (Japanese) or Bodhicitta (Sanskrit) is a fundamental concept in Zen Buddhism and the entire Mahayana tradition. Bodhicitta means an aspiration to awakening, often translated as the “spirit of awakening” or the “mind of awakening.” Bodhicitta or Bodaishin is an altruistic aspiration or mental attitude that seeks awakening not…
The Way of the Bodhisattva The Way of the Bodhisattva is an important concept in Zen Buddhism, arising from the Mahayana tradition. A bodhisattva is someone who aspires to enlightenment in order to help all living beings free themselves from suffering. There are several aspects to be developed in order to follow this path. The…
Origin of the Lotus Sutra The Lotus Sutra is a fundamental text in Mahayana Buddhism and is considered one of the most important scriptures in this tradition. It comprises several chapters and presents the Buddha’s teachings on topics such as Enlightenment, emptiness, and the inherent Buddha-nature within all beings. A key concept highlighted in the…
