Christopher

Not knowing is the most intimate.

Not Knowing – I would like to start today’s Dharma talk with one of the most famous of the Zen Koans – Attention! Master Dizang asks Fayan,“Where have you come from?”Fayan replies, “I pilgrimage aimlessly,”“What is the purpose of your pilgrimage?” asks Dizang.“I don’t know,” replies Fayan.“Not knowing is the most intimate,” remarked Dizang.At…

Sangha As Practice

I want to start today’s talk with one of my favorite teachings of the Buddha found in the Upaddha Sutra in the Pali Canon. This story involves Ananda, the Buddha’s cousin and attendant, who has been with him for many years. As they rest during their journey, I can envision him glancing over the assembly…

On Humility: The Path of Studentship

DHARMA TALK by CHRISTOPHER KAKUYO Today, I want to share a few thoughts on humility. Some years ago, I came across a profound teaching by Nubuo Haneda in his book Dharma Breeze. In the first chapter, he recounts the origins of the Shin Buddhist tradition when Shinran meets his teacher, Honen. Here is the passage….

Kintsugi: The Beauty of Imperfection

For Today’s dharma talk, I want to share some ideas and feelings about the beauty of imperfection. To do this, I want to use a metaphor from Japanese material arts, Kintsugi. Metaphor helps us learn by adding a deeper, more emotive dimension. Metaphor tends to be the language of the heart. For me, kintsugi is…

Mono No Aware – Embracing Impermanence.

For this Dharma talk, I want to open with a few lines from the Diamond Sutra from chapter 32. The Buddha has just finished his daily walk to Sarasvati to gather offerings for food. I can see them eating quietly, and when they are finished, Subhuti, one of his monks, asks the Buddha. “How, Lord,…

Namu Amida Butsu: The Call Home

“Come as you are,” is a call many of us have longed to hear; it embodies one of the many meanings of Namu Amida Butsu. It invites us to come just as we are—there’s no need to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or afraid. This phrase represents a welcoming home for us in our current state, both…

Broken and Whole at the Same Time.

“Come as you are” is a heartfelt invitation that many of us have longed to hear. This message is captured in the various meanings of Namu Amida Butsu. For me, Namu Amida Butsu represents a call from the core of reality, encouraging us to return home and embrace ourselves just as we are—free from embarrassment,…

On Ritual

Today, I want to discuss rituals in relation to Buddhism and Buddhist practice, Before we begin, I want to share a few words and have you shout out the first thing that comes to your mind. Faith Belief Prayer Ritual Evil Sin Most of us have left the traditions of our fathers and mothers and…

Smokey the Bear Sutra

Here is the sutra written by Gary Snyder from Dec 1st Dharma Talk. A link to the Dharma talk is at the bottom. The Sutra Once in the Jurassic about 150 million years ago, the Great Sun Buddha in this corner of the Infinite Void gave a discourse to all the assembled elements and energies:…

Driving Dharma Sutra: Rewind

Driving Dharma: Everyday Buddhism – Dharma talk given Jan 2023 Link to the dharma talk Today, I want to share some thoughts on a very contemporary form of dharma, which I call driving dharma. This is a relatively modern form of practice, being ushered in shortly after the dawn of the 20th century, and is one…