The Baker Roshi Audio Archive

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Showing 3307 talks

Title	Speaker	Date
Zen in the Everyday Moment Serial: RB-00203 The talk delves into the concept of Zen practice focusing on the "everyday mind" and the notion that the path is what lies directly in front of oneself. It includes a significant discussion of U Mon's teachings, emphasizing that... *Practice, Avalokiteshvara, Wisdom*	Richard Baker	Feb 19 1976
Sincerity Over Intellect in Buddhism Serial: RB-00061 The talk delves into the challenges and nuances of understanding Buddhism, emphasizing that true comprehension arises through intense sincerity rather than mere intellectual effort. It highlights Tozan's Five Ranks, illustrating... *Buddhism, Dogen, Time*	Richard Baker	Feb 18 1976
Serendipity and Sincerity in Zen Serial: RB-00202 The talk explores the profound intricacies of understanding Buddhism, particularly through the lens of Tozan's Five Ranks and various Zen teachings. It highlights the role of sincerity and serendipity in comprehending the vast... *Buddhism, Dogen, Time*	Richard Baker	Feb 18 1976
Zen in Every Moment Serial: RB-00201 The talk primarily explores the notion of integrating Zen practice into daily life, emphasizing "bearing" as an active principle synonymous with form, intention, and presence. Drawing on the teachings of Suzuki Roshi and various... *Time, Silence, Practice*	Richard Baker	Feb 17 1976
Tea and the Zen Way Serial: RB-00060 This talk explores the essence of Zen practice as experienced through daily routine and emphasizes the teachings from Suzuki Roshi and the lineage of Zen masters. Central to the discussion is the story of Joshu's "go have a cup... *Suzuki Roshi, Practice, Work*	Richard Baker	Feb 17 1976
Engage Zen in Every Moment Serial: RB-00059 This 1976 talk examines the intricacies of Zen practice, focusing on primary consciousness, personal experience, and integration of minute particulars. Key themes include the story of the Lotus, the causal nature of experience,... *Consciousness, Practice, Posture*	Richard Baker	Feb 15 1976
Unraveling Interconnectedness Through Zen Practice Serial: RB-00302 The talk delves into the profound nature of cause and effect in Zen practice, as inspired by teachings of Seppo, stories from the Blue Cliff Record, and the practice philosophy of realizing primary consciousness through Zazen.... *Consciousness, Practice, Zazen*	Richard Baker	Feb 15 1976
Awakening Through Zen Consciousness Serial: RB-00058 This talk centers on Zen Buddhist teachings concerning the nature of consciousness and the concept of causation. Through discussions of classical stories like Chimon and the lotus, as well as Hyakujo and the fox, it explores... *Consciousness, Buddha, Hyakujo*	Richard Baker	Feb 14 1976
Zen Pathways to Non-Discrimination Serial: RB-00343 The talk explores the concepts of causation, consciousness, and enlightenment within Zen Buddhism, emphasizing historical anecdotes and koans to illustrate these principles. It discusses the story of Chimon and the lotus,... *Consciousness, Buddha, Fox*	Richard Baker	Feb 14 1976
Zen Realization in Everyday Life Serial: RB-00051 The talk focuses on the central column of consciousness and various Zen stories, particularly those of Gutei and Avalokiteshvara, to illustrate deeper philosophical insights. Key themes include the necessity of transcending... *Dogen, Buddha, Avalokiteshvara*	Richard Baker	Dec 07 1975
Zen Effort and Mindful Presence Serial: RB-00050 The talk explores themes of effort and mindfulness in Zen practice, focusing on the story of Gutei's one finger to illustrate profound Zen teachings. It discusses the misconception about effort, suggesting that true... *Effort, Concentration, Mindfulness*	Richard Baker	Dec 06 1975
Compassion in Unpredictable Reality Serial: RB-00035 The talk delves into the unpredictable nature of reality as aligned with Buddhist principles, focusing on the teachings about Avalokiteshvara and their implications for practice. It underscores how the differences and sameness... *Avalokiteshvara, Buddha, Practice*	Richard Baker	Dec 05 1975
Zen Perception and Equidistant Action Serial: RB-00049 The talk examines Zen Buddhist principles with a focus on the difficulty in expressing profound truths, the concept of equidistance, and the teachings of Avalokiteshvara. Emphasis is placed on the inherent challenges in... *Avalokiteshvara, Time, Practice*	Richard Baker	Dec 04 1975
Zen's Dance with Time Serial: RB-00342 The talk explores the challenge of conveying Zen philosophical concepts, emphasizing the need for personal engagement and interpretation. The discussion touches on themes like mindfulness, action without delay, equidistance, and... *Avalokiteshvara, Time, Practice*	Richard Baker	Dec 04 1975
Balancing Zen: Seriousness Without Strictures Serial: RB-00341 This talk addresses the intricate nature of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining seriousness without becoming overly dependent on strict enforcement. It explores themes such as the balance between ascetic... *Practice, Tozan, Intimacy*	Richard Baker	Dec 03 1975
Zen Path: Consistency and Balance Serial: RB-00048 This talk underscores the importance of a sincere and consistent approach to practicing faith, particularly within Zen Buddhism, while addressing the potential pitfalls of excessively strict or lax discipline. It further delves... *Tozan, Practice, Sixth Patriarch*	Richard Baker	Dec 03 1975
Buddha in Everyday Awareness Serial: RB-00340 The talk highlights the significant question in Zen philosophy: "What is Buddha?" using Tozan's remark, "three pounds of flax," as a central example. It discusses the life-giving and life-taking sword techniques of teaching,... *Consciousness, Time, Practice*	Richard Baker	Dec 02 1975
Embracing Zen Beyond Words Serial: RB-00047 The talk revolves around the Zen koan of Tozan and the phrase "three pounds of flax," exploring its meaning and implications in Zen practice. Instead of traditional teaching methods, Tozan's response encourages... *Consciousness, Time, Buddha*	Richard Baker	Dec 02 1975
Zen Awareness and Body Consciousness Serial: RB-00339 The talk from December 1st, 1975, focuses on the continuous awareness and presence during sesshin without drifting into thoughts about past, future, or distractions. It delves into the importance of maintaining a soft and... *Consciousness, Posture, Concentration*	Richard Baker	Dec 01 1975
Consciousness and Unconditional Being Serial: RB-00046 The talk emphasizes the significance of approaching Sashin with an open mind and staying aware of one's consciousness. It discusses how physical postures and muscles relate to mental states, advising to focus attention on... *Consciousness, Posture, Concentration*	Richard Baker	Dec 01 1975
Silent Harmony in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00021 The talk addresses the challenge of overcoming ingrained cultural ideas in Zen practice, emphasizing direct perception over accumulated knowledge. It explores the concept of "silence" as an active acceptance, not merely the... *Silence, Time, Practice*	Richard Baker	Nov 26 1975
Buddhist Economics: Flight Patterns of Change Serial: RB-00043 The talk provides a comprehensive analysis of the social and economic challenges related to integrating Buddhism into Western society, specifically highlighting the influence of Buddhist ideas on Western thought. It discusses the... *Time, Community, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Nov 22 1975
Budgeting Harmony for Zen Center Serial: RB-00044 The main thesis of the talk revolves around the financial overview and budgeting for a Zen Center, addressing the costs of residency for students, the allocation and calculation of scholarships, and strategies to sustain the... *Time, Work, Bell*	Richard Baker	Nov 22 1975
Zen Economics: Balancing Budgets for Growth Serial: RB-00045 The talk discusses financial management and budgeting strategies for a Zen community center. Emphasis is placed on the need to balance cutting expenses with improving fundraising efforts. The practical measures suggested include... *Work, Community, Time*	Richard Baker	Nov 22 1975
Zen Pathways: From Karma to Balance Serial: RB-00020 The talk addresses the distinction between society and the sangha, emphasizing the necessity to reconsider the wisdom inherited from Buddhist tradition given contemporary societal complexities. It highlights the practical aspects... *Practice, Effort, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Nov 13 1975
Sangha: Interconnected Path to Enlightenment Serial: RB-00019 This talk focuses on the "three treasures" in Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, with a particular emphasis on understanding Sangha. It discusses various stages of comprehending Sangha and the spiritual practice of realizing... *Vow, Practice, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Nov 11 1975
Zen and the Shifting Mind Serial: RB-00018 The talk explores deep Zen concepts, focusing on the famous koan of the buffalo and transitioning states of mind. Using anecdotes about a taxi driver and a grocer to illustrate human interactions and transitional challenges, the... *Hate, Greed, Delusion*	Richard Baker	Nov 08 1975
Zen State of Artful Vows Serial: RB-00338 The talk focuses on the concepts of state of mind, consciousness, and vow in Zen practice, contrasting Western and Eastern perceptions of art and craft. Emphasis is placed on recognizing one’s state of mind as a tool rather than... *Consciousness, Vow, Practice*	Richard Baker	Nov 02 1975
Crafting Consciousness Through Vows Serial: RB-00017 The talk primarily focuses on the importance of recognizing and not sacrificing one's state of mind, treating it as a craft and integral part of one's practice. It contrasts Western and Eastern attitudes towards skill and... *Consciousness, Vow, Practice*	Richard Baker	Nov 02 1975
Embracing Uncertainty in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00336 The talk explores the theme of uncertainty in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of embracing unknowing and playfulness over rigid adherence to beliefs. It contrasts different modes of philosophical and religious thinking... *Vow, Buddhism, Work*	Richard Baker	Oct 31 1975
Playful Uncertainty in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00566 The talk explores the theme of "not knowing" in the context of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of playfulness and experimentation in understanding one's path and the nature of reality. It contrasts philosophical and... *Vow, Work, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Oct 31 1975
Embracing Contradictions Through Vows Serial: RB-00565 The talk discusses the significance of embracing life’s contradictions and the transformative power of vows in Zen practice. Emphasizing the importance of intention or vow in grounding one’s practice, the discussion elaborates on... *Vow, Time, Intention*	Richard Baker	Oct 30 1975
Embracing Life's Intrinsic Contradictions Serial: RB-00334 The talk primarily addresses the concepts of contradictions in life, the power of intention and vow, and the practice of Zazen as processes of unwinding and uncovering innate knowledge. The speaker emphasizes the importance of... *Vow, Time, Intention*	Richard Baker	Oct 30 1975
Interconnected Living Beyond Individualism Serial: RB-00564 The talk discusses the dangers and societal impacts of individualism, commercialization, and misplaced faith in science and technology, drawing parallels between biological and social structures. It emphasizes the need to... *Work, Consciousness, Vow*	Richard Baker	Oct 29 1975
Beyond Attachments: The Zen Journey Serial: RB-00016 The talk explores the concept of practice in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of individual effort and the notion of living beyond worldly concerns. It underscores the practice of dropping fixed topics and desires to... *Time, Practice, Tozan*	Richard Baker	Oct 28 1975
Beyond Clinging to Concepts Serial: RB-00563 The talk delves into the existential relationship between practitioners and the teachings of Buddhas and Patriarchs. It emphasizes that individual effort overrides external aids like lectures and zendos, with enlightenment... *Time, Practice, Tozan*	Richard Baker	Oct 28 1975
Embracing Limitations for Zen Insight Serial: RB-00015 The talk explores the concept of limitations, particularly how they relate to understanding Zen. It begins with a famous kōan about a buffalo and shifts to discussing the challenge of intelligent individuals grasping Zen... *Composure, Suffering, Concentration*	Richard Baker	Oct 27 1975
Embrace Limitations for Zen Insight Serial: RB-00562 The talk explores the concept of limitations in Zen philosophy, emphasizing the limitations on intellectual understanding and personal capabilities and illustrating how these can lead to a deeper understanding and acceptance of... *Suffering, Composure, Concentration*	Richard Baker	Oct 27 1975
Integrating Zen Into Everyday Life Serial: RB-00561 The talk examines the challenge of integrating Zen practice into lay life, emphasizing how practice often becomes mere therapy rather than addressing the root of suffering. It explores the importance of concentration and morality... *Practice, Intention, Zazen*	Richard Baker	Oct 26 1975
Zen in Everyday Moments Serial: RB-00014 The talk on October 26, 1975, focuses on the application of Zen practice in ordinary life outside monastic settings. Emphasizing the necessity of concentration and morality, it explores how lay practitioners can integrate Zen... *Practice, Intention, Zazen*	Richard Baker	Oct 26 1975
Invisible Interconnectedness: Beyond Modern Illusions Serial: RB-00335 The talk argues that modern life, symbolized by the difficulties and dangers inherent in various societal agreements, contrasts sharply with historical periods where enlightenment was more common and less commodified. The... *Work, Consciousness, Vow*	Richard Baker	Oct 25 1975
Creating Your Mindful Path Serial: RB-00560 The talk primarily focuses on the significance of the participant's state of mind during Sashin practice. It emphasizes that participants should actively create their experiences rather than passively follow schedules or external... *Zazen, Greed, Delusion*	Richard Baker	Oct 25 1975
Mindful Sesshin: Create Your Insight Serial: RB-00568 The talk emphasizes the importance of understanding and actively engaging with one's own mind during the sesshin practice. The central thesis revolves around not depending solely on the external structures of sesshin but creating... *Practice, Zazen, Greed*	Richard Baker	Oct 25 1975
Intrinsic Actions in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00558 The talk elaborates on the Zen principle that emphasizes spontaneous, intrinsic actions and reactions, using the example of "Why, when the bell rings, do you put on your robe?" It discusses the importance of dealing... *Practice, Buddhism, Time*	Richard Baker	Oct 08 1975
Zen Mastery in Everyday Details Serial: RB-00557 The talk emphasizes the significance of attention to details in Zen practice and warns against being misled by the superficial aspects of Buddhist practices. It explains that true understanding and mastery of Zen come not through... *Buddhism, Zazen, Hate*	Richard Baker	Oct 06 1975
Zen Posture and Inner Peace Serial: RB-00311 Summary: The talk emphasizes the importance of combining physical posture and relaxation in Zen practice, particularly through Zazen meditation. The discussion highlights the necessity of understanding oneself through suffering... *Practice, Posture, Zazen*	Richard Baker	Sep 30 1975
Living Zen Through Shikantaza Serial: RB-00556 The main thesis of the talk emphasizes the practice of Shikantaza as both an experiential and experimental approach to Zen, focusing on the lineage and teachings passed down through generations. The discussion highlights the... *Practice, Time, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Sep 05 1975
Living Zazen Every Moment Serial: RB-00333 The talk emphasizes the principles of Shikantaza practice, focusing on the complete involvement in everyday activities as a form of Zazen. It describes the dual aspects of practice: perfecting oneself for enlightenment ("way... *Practice, Time, Zazen*	Richard Baker	Sep 05 1975
Experiencing Zen Beyond Thought Serial: RB-00332 The talk centers on the concept of emptiness in Zen Buddhism, specifically its elusiveness and its relationship to direct experience beyond intellectual understanding. The narrative highlights the story from Blue Cliff Records... *Zazen, Emptiness, Rinzai*	Richard Baker	Sep 04 1975
Embodied Emptiness in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00555 The talk focuses on the concept of emptiness in Zen Buddhism, contrasting it with the tendencies to control or seek the mysterious. Emptiness is approached as an experiential reality, beyond rational comprehension. Key teachings... *Emptiness, Zazen, Practice*	Richard Baker	Sep 04 1975

The Baker Roshi Audio Archive

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