Episodes

  • Not Far from Buddhahood
    Feb 13 2024

    A university student while visiting Gasan asked him: "Have you ever read the Christian Bible?"

    "No, read it to me," said Gasan.


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    3 mins
  • Great Waves
    Dec 9 2023

    In the early days of the Meiji era there lived a well-known wrestler called O-nami, Great Waves.



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    You can find us at Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ZenKoans/⁠

    If you would like to support: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/ZenKoansPodcast⁠



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    4 mins
  • My Heart Burns Like Fire
    Nov 5 2023

    Soyen Shaku, the first Zen teacher to come to America, said: "My heart burns like fire but my eyes are as cold as dead ashes." He made the following rules which he practiced every day of his life.


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    You can find us at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZenKoans/

    If you would like to support: https://www.patreon.com/ZenKoansPodcast



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    3 mins
  • A Parable
    Nov 1 2023

    Buddha told a parable in sutra:A man travelling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge.


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    2 mins
  • Muddy Road
    Oct 17 2023

    Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling. Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.


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    2 mins
  • It is Not Mind, It is Not Buddha, It is Not Things
    Oct 14 2023

    A monk asked Nansen: `Is there a teaching no master ever preached before?'


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    1 min
  • A Cup of Tea
    Sep 30 2023

    Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era, received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.


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    2 mins
  • Eating the Blame
    Sep 30 2023

    Circumstances arose one day which delayed preparation of the dinner of a Soto Zen master, Fugai, and his followers.


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    2 mins