Episodes

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Dana, Renunciation, and Finding One's Gift with Beth Upton

Meditation teacher, former monastic, and trained economist Beth Upton met with us recently to record a new podcast: Dana, Renunciation, and Finding One's Gift. Beth offers insights into the wisdom of dana, the dilemmas of contemporary financial systems, and practical applications today.

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Ordaining as a Zen Monk with Roshi Geoffrey Shugen Arnold

Roshi Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, the current abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery speaks with Aaron about his path to meditation and monastic life. In this recording, we discuss the experience, logistics, and practice of monastic training at Zen Mountain Monastery and in the Zen Tradition more generally.

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Ordaining as Buddhist Monk in the Theravada tradition with Nisabho Bhikku

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This is a recording of a conversation between Ajahn Nisabho Bhikku, a monastic in the Thai Forest Tradition, and Aaron. Nisabho Bhikku and Aaron discuss the topic of ordination. How does the calling to ordain show up for us? How should we follow it? When should a person not ordain? What does it really mean to be a Buddhist monk? In the course of the episode, Nisabho Bhikku refers to a number of Buddhist communities and monasteries, which are linked in the YouTube video description.

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Buddhism, Neuroscience, & Psychotherapy: Conversation and Q&A with Joe Loizzo

This is recording of our online event with Joe Loizzo, Founder of the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, discussing the intersections between modern science and traditional Buddhism, emerging developments and career opportunities at this intersection, and the radical developments Joe has observed in this field over the course of his life.

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Catherine Pawasarat Sensei from Clear Sky Retreat Centre

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Aaron talks with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei from Clear Sky Meditation Centre about her introduction to practice through the world of astrology and plant medicine, meeting her partner and teacher Qapel, the lineage of Clear Sky Meditation Centre, the life of Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche, their philosophy in practice, and their three month residential program.

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The Relief & Bliss of Following the 5th and 8th Buddhist Precepts for Laypeople with Paul Vincent Cable

Dharma Between Worlds with Patrick Kennyo Dunn

Paul Vincent Cable explores with our host Nicky the 5 and 8 Buddhist precepts for lay practitioners: how to follow these precepts, their benefits that lead to a happy life, and the deepening of our meditation practice. Paul discusses how compassion for animals is intimately linked to Dhamma practice. He also shares his story with the precepts, reviewing in detail each precept, 1 to 8. He speaks to the specific benefits associated with keeping each precept, and the harm caused by not holding each. Paul offers an abridged version of the 31-part practice, focusing on 5 parts of the body, then discusses how this practice can lead to deepening insight.

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Aaron interviews Patrick Kennyo Dunn, ordained Soto Zen Priest at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, OR. Kennyo shares about his early inspiration towards the contemplative life, his decision to pursue ordination in the Zen tradition rather than complete a PhD in Buddhist Studies, his experiences with long-term practice in the Zen Community of Oregon, and some thoughts on the future of Buddhist thought and practice as it moves through a variety of academic, scientific, and other modern cultural milieu.

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Building a Practice in Tibetan Buddhism with Claire Villareal

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Claire Villareal is a Buddhist dharma teacher with a focus on bringing Tibetan wisdom into modern life. She began meditating in 1997 and has spent much time in both personal and group retreat since 1999, making trips to Thailand, India and Nepal to study and meditate in traditional settings in those countries, with pilgrimages to Tibet. She earned her doctorate in Religious Studies from Rice University in Houston with a dissertation that explored contemplative ways of knowing and how they speak to the contemporary academic study of mysticism. She is currently a member of the Gen X dharma teachers’ community and a faculty fellow at the Jung Center in Houston, TX.

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Conversation with Guo Gu

Guo Gu first learned meditation as a child in Taiwan. He was introduced to Master Guangqin (1892-1986), one of the most respected Chinese meditation masters and ascetics in Taiwan, at the age of four in 1972 and received instruction. In 1980, he moved to the United States and began studying with Master Sheng Yen. He was ordained as a monk in 1991. Responding to a deep desire to take Chan Buddhism beyond the walls of the monastery, Guo Gu gave up his robes and re-entered the world in 2000. He completed a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from Princeton and is currently an Associate Professor of Buddhist Studies at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

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The Rinzai Zen Path: An Introduction with Meido Moore Roshi

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This is a recording of Dharma Gates event "The Rinzai Zen Path: An Introduction with Roshi Meido Moore" which took place on May 30th, 2021. Meido Moore Roshi (1968) is the current abbot of Korinji, our monastery in Wisconsin, and guiding teacher of The Rinzai Zen Community. He is author of The Rinzai Zen Way: A Guide to Practice and Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realization.

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Energetic Zen with Corey Hess

This is a recording of Dharma Gates' Event "Energetic Zen with Corey Hess" from May 1st, 2021. Corey discusses the physical and internal alchemy aspects of practice, practicing in the energetic oven of a Japanese Rinzai Zen monastery, as well as the long process of integrating that practice into life. Corey also leads a short practice in standing meditation, which he has found especially potent in opening up the body for zazen (seated meditation in the Zen tradition), as well as zazen in action.

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A Conversation with Meido Moore Roshi

Meido Moore Roshi shares his path to Zen, including a slideshow of formative moments on his journey. He discusses his specific Rinzai Zen training, as well as energetic vitality and embodiment in and out of the monastery. He elaborates on Buddha-mind, the yogic path, and the importance of a teacher.

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A Conversation with Joan Amaral

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Myozen Joan Amaral serves as teacher at Zen Center North Shore. Her she shares her path to Zen practice. Her primary focus as a Zen priest, meditation teacher, sangha leader, and community activist, is on the dynamic relationship between formal practice and everyday, messy human life. In recent times she has been exploring the relationship of zazen and social justice, self-care, and creativity as a path of true happiness.

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Chan Ordination: Making Peace with Parents, Intensive Practice, and Founding Redwood Vihara with Jin Chuan

Bhikshu Jin Chuan speaks with host Aaron about his path to ordination, some of the specifics of the Chan tradition, and his efforts at Redwood Vihara. Bhikshu Jin Chuan was born in New Jersey and grew up in the Silicon Valley. In high school, he began exploring Christianity and Buddhism, and discovered his “calling” to be a monk–to the surprise of his family (and himself). While studying physics and religious studies at Stanford, he joined Dharma Realm Buddhist Youth and frequented Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. In 2005, he became a resident at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. He became a novice in 2011 and a bhikshu in 2013. In 2016, he received an M.A. in Buddhist Classics at DRBU where he now serves as an assistant professor and chaplain.

Dharma Gates Podcast