The Jizo-an Zen Community Podcast

Jizo-an Zen Community
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Teachings, Dharma talks, Zen studies, and reflections from the Jizo-an Zen Community.

  1. 2d ago

    Zen Questions - Spiritual Inquiry and Radical Honesty

    We have largely been conditioned to believe that we need to constantly push ourselves very hard and make strenuous efforts to attain, achieve, or become this or that. We often bring this same mentality to our spiritual practice, believing that we must make strenuous efforts to awaken and realize our true nature. Dogen Zenji described practice as the dharma gate of ease and joy. He emphasized diligent and wholehearted effort, just sitting, not trying to become or attain anything. In Zen, this is often referred to as wise effort or effortless effort. We will examine this dharma gate of ease and joy.

    34 min

  2. Jul 1

    The Meaning of Gateless Gate in Zen

    In Zen we are taught that we have everything within us to be awakened and enlightened. However, we, in our conditioned mind, create barriers that hold us back from tapping into our authentic self and to live how we are meant to. How many times do we miss what is right in front of us? How can we see what we need to see? Let us explore these questions and share our lived experiences on this path.

    28 min

  3. Jun 17

    Pattern and Novelty, Transcending our Stories

    Our lives are constructed of stories. Some are handed down to us, others take form from the outcome of events in our lives. Stories are the stuff of our sense of self, and when habits develop around them, we are constrained, we suffer. To realize new possibilities is how we transform our lives and discover new meaning.

    21 min

  4. Jun 10

    A Tribute to Seijaku Roshi

    Five years ago, our founder Seijaku Roshi died.  As time passes the number of people who actually knew Roshi steadily decreases. But his presence is still here with us and will always be with us. Last year the Jizo-an Zen Community celebrated its 40-year anniversary. There have been a number of changes since Roshi's passing, primarily to make the Dharma available to more people. Roshi had a vision of planting the dharma here in South Jersey.  Creating a place where community members, students and monks, could come together to train and realize themselves. Please join the monks as we pay tribute to our founder and his vision.

    30 min

  5. May 20

    Living in a Paradox - Holding Space for All We Experience

    Paradox is both a powerful word and an important aspect of Zen practice. We often don't feel very comfortable with paradox. We prefer to have our life neatly arranged and packaged. But, Zen points to a very different way of being. The reality is that we live much of our entire life in the midst of paradox. Thich Nhat Hanh taught that life is both terrifying and beautiful all at once. Zen teaches us to embrace this great paradox in our everyday life, and to be fully present for all of it.

    31 min

  6. May 6

    Taking Refuge in the Sangha

    Traditionally sangha referred to the community of ordained monks and nuns, but today the term sangha, includes all Buddhist practitioners, lay and ordained. The Buddha taught that each of us is responsible for our own journey of awakening "Be an island unto yourself." But at the same time, the Buddha left us a precious legacy, the teachings (dharma) and the community (sangha). We are never alone if we embrace the three refuges. The existence of Sangha is what makes Buddhism a living, applied spiritual tradition rather than a mere philosophy. We support and are supported by each other.

    29 min

  7. Apr 15

    The Mysterious Principle of Linji Yixuan

    The "mysterious principle" Master Linji Yixuan (the founder of Rinzai Zen) is centered on direct, spontaneous awareness. He taught us to stop seeking enlightenment outside of ourselves in scriptures, Buddha figures, or even the concept of Nirvana and to recognize our own true unconditioned nature. There is nothing to gain, no path to follow, and nothing special to achieve. True liberation is simply having enough confidence in yourself to stop looking for it and live in awareness as an ordinary person.

    20 min

  8. Apr 8

    Becoming Intimate with Impermanence

    Everything we encounter — our bodies, relationships, thoughts, and circumstances, is in constant flux. Yet much of our suffering arises from resisting this truth or attempting to secure what cannot be held. Accepting impermanence opens the door to a more intimate, compassionate, and vivid way of being. Rather than leading to detachment or despair, this intimacy with change allows us to meet each moment with freshness and care—because it will not come again in the same way.

    23 min
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Teachings, Dharma talks, Zen studies, and reflections from the Jizo-an Zen Community.

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  • Creator
    Jizo-an Zen Community
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © Copyright 2026 Jizo-an Zen Community. All rights reserved.
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