The Zen of Everything

"Zen is a special transmission outside the scriptures, not depending on words and letters." With that in mind, Jundo and Kirk discuss Zen books: how to read them, what to read, and when to burn them. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Bodhidharma (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhidharma) Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (https://amzn.to/36JTaqw) Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (https://amzn.to/2X9anGv) Buddhism For Dummies (https://amzn.to/3ceqx5D) Simple Guide to Zen Buddhism (https://amzn.to/3esBPVs) What Is Zen?: Plain Talk for a Beginner's Mind (https://amzn.to/2Agiich) The Circle of the Way (https://amzn.to/2zDgwlq) The Three Pillars of Zen (https://amzn.to/36JUDNy) Opening the Hand of Thought (https://amzn.to/3dbqOry) How to Cook Your Life (https://amzn.to/2AdFwzC) The Zen Teaching of Homeless Kodo (https://amzn.to/2AcG7lg) Realizing Genjokoan: The Key to Dogen's Shobogenzo (https://amzn.to/2XB5ntf) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Sitting meditation can be painful for a lot of people. Jundo and Kirk discuss how to sit without pain, or how to accept the pain when sitting. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Alexander Technique (https://alexandertechnique.com) Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahāyāna_Mahāparinirvāṇa_Sūtra) Phantom limb syndrome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_limb#Phantom_limb_syndrome) Seiza bench (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?17799-DIY-Meditation-Bench&highlight=seiza) Invisibilia: For Some Teens With Debilitating Pain, The Treatment Is More Pain (https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/09/700823481/invisibilia-for-some-teens-with-debilitating-pain-the-treatment-is-more-pain) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Walking can free your mind, but can also be an act of meditation. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Mount Tsukuba (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tsukuba) Kinhin: The Dignity of the Buddha (https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/kinhin-dignity-buddha) Alexander Technique (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Technique) Photo: Tea Tray Ensō (https://kirkville.com/photo-tea-tray-enso/) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Is zen all about silence? Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) John Cage's 4′33″ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4′33″) Suzuki Roshi's talk on the difference between "sound" and "noise" (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?16188-Of-Noise-Ear-Plugs-and-Sensory-Deprivation-Tanks&p=222777&viewfull=1#post222777) Isolation tank (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolation_tank) Correction: Jundo meant a blue jay; listen here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T--LnlE1nE8) Into Great Silence (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_Great_Silence) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

In these times, we need hope. Jundo and Kirk discuss how we can cultivate hope. And we learn that the name for the Zen of Everything podcast in Japanese would be Zen no Zen. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Abbott & Costello Who's On First (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcRRaXV-fg) Cast Away (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162222/) Viktor Frankl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl) (Wikipedia) Medicine Buddha (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaisajyaguru) (Wikipedia) Jizo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kṣitigarbha) (Wikipedia) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

With many people going into quarantine, Jundo and Kirk discuss how this time can be beneficial, and how washing your hands can be the act of a Boddhisatva. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Master Dogen's Instructions for Washing the Hands (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?17611-MASTER-DOGEN-S-Instructions-for-Washing-the-Hands) Tonglen (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonglen) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

With a potential pandemic looming, Jundo and Kirk talk about rumors, unreasonable and reasonable fear, plagues of the past and today, and a good Zen attitude to sickness and death. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Coronavirus rumors fuel panic buying of toilet paper in Japan (https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Coronavirus-rumors-fuel-panic-buying-of-toilet-paper-in-Japan2) Vatican Insists Pope Francis Only Has a Cold — Not Coronavirus (https://time.com/5794364/pope-francis-cold-not-coronavirus/) Shit stick (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shit_stick) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

What is "original Buddhism?" In the absence of texts from the Buddha's times, how can we know what the Buddha really taught? And how does the corpus of later texts help us understand Buddhism? Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World (https://amzn.to/39EQqLg) Stephen Batchelor (https://www.stephenbatchelor.org/index.php/en/) The Circle of the Way: A Concise History of Zen from the Buddha to the Modern World (https://amzn.to/2ud7QQ7) Buddhism in the Shadow of Brahmanism (https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_0AE49B543099.P001/REF.pdf) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk talk about zen and parenting. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Biography of Gautama Buddha (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha#Biography) Dr. Seuss books (https://amzn.to/2OvfVX2) Winnie the Pooh (https://amzn.to/2tz0Rk1) The Giving Tree (https://amzn.to/3722ynT) Stone Soup (https://amzn.to/2v9dH9f) Zen Shorts (https://amzn.to/2H1YoBY) Puppy Mind (https://amzn.to/2SAxExR) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk discuss "hard" and "easy" zen. Has zen become too easy? Is it too hard? You are New York all along. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Junici Saga: Memories of Silk and Straw (https://amzn.to/2NUgc5H) The Next Track podcast (https://www.thenexttrack.com) Honkyoku (https://honkyoku.com) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk talk about zen and war. How should zen practitioners act when faced with war? How can we prevent war? Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Brian Daizen Victoria: Zen at War (https://amzn.to/2N7yobu) “Zen at War” Brian Victoria: Throwing Bombs at Kodo (http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/ThrowingBombs_at_Kodo_JundoCohen.pdf) Edwin Starr: War (YouTube) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQHUAJTZqF0) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk discuss how Christmas and Zen can find common ground, and discuss their favorite Zen Christmas carols. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Rohatsu - Bodhi Day (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhi_Day) Joseph Campbell: The Hero with a Thousand Faces (https://amzn.to/2ZmvJji) Santa Bodhisattva (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?17441-December-20-21st-Treeleaf-Weekly-Zazenkai-A-Merry-Rohatsu-Happy-New-This-Moment) Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes,_Virginia,_there_is_a_Santa_Claus) Christmas in Japan (https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/japan.shtml) Allen Ginsberg chanting the Heart Sutra (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAP8KYdtlmQ) Kaz Tanahashi's ensos (https://www.brushmind.net/artwork-1) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

You've probably heard about kōans, those enigmatic zen dialogs that make no sense. Jundo and Kirk discuss the origin and history of kōans, what they mean, how they work, and what the sound of one hand clapping really is. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Kōan (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kōan) Tang dynasty (618–907) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_dynasty) Song dynasty (960–1297) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_dynasty) John Daido Loori (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Daido_Loori) Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (https://amzn.to/2PAWZpL) Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (https://amzn.to/2rs7fst) Dahui Zonggao (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahui_Zonggao) Hakuin Ekaku (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuin_Ekaku) Episode 11: The Dokusan Room is Kinda Baloney (https://www.zen-of-everything.com/11) Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice (https://amzn.to/38uV8LR) The Blue Cliff Record (https://amzn.to/38FzAwa) The Gateless Gate (https://amzn.to/2PbO8vI) The Book of Equanimity (https://amzn.to/38w73ZO) The True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Three Hundred Koans (https://amzn.to/2PdsCXl) Like Cats and Dogs: Contesting The Mu Koan In Zen Buddhism (https://amzn.to/2LMerGx) The Book of Mu: Essential Writings on Zen's Most Important Koan (https://amzn.to/2RM8Nbd) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Is meditation easy? Is it difficult? Jundo and Kirk talk about shikantaza meditation and the importance of intention. And Jundo discuss his patented Insta-Zen technique. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) The Circle of the Way (https://amzn.to/2XZZAgH) The Jhanas in Theravada Buddhist Meditation (https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/gunaratana/wheel351.html) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk discuss the idea of oneness. The good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly are all facets of the great jewel. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Transparent eyeball (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_eyeball) Emerson and Zen Buddhism (https://amzn.to/2qbSjxT) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk discuss the Dokusan room, the place where the teacher tests students and students test the teacher. What goes on can be romanticized and overemphasized, misused and misunderstood (especially by modern westerners), yet greatness sometimes happens too. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Philip Kapleau: The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment (https://amzn.to/2ITlOe3) Brad Warner: Hardcore Zen (http://hardcorezen.info) Teachers checking students (Treeleaf forum thread) (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?17320-Teachers-checking-students) Jack Kornfield: After the Ecstasy, the Laundry (https://amzn.to/2NupCnv) Honkyoku: Kirk's shakuhachi website (https://honkyoku.com) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk discuss differences between the way zen is practiced in the west compared to in Japan. Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Philip Kapleau: The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment (https://amzn.to/2ITlOe3) The Zen Teaching of Homeless Kodo (https://amzn.to/35JUcBG) Paris Hilton takes Buddhist monk Shopping (http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.com/2008/09/paris-hilton-takes-buddhist-monk.html) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk talk discuss favorites. What is the best ice cream flavor? What is the best fruit? Do favorites matter? Do appearances matter? Treeleaf Zendo (https://www.treeleaf.org) Wabi-sabi (Wikipedia) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi) Introduction to Agama Sutra: The First Buddhist Scripture (on Wei Nung) (https://aaari.info/notes/02-06-06Tam.pdf) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk talk about how bad or good things are in the world. Things really aren't as bad as they may seem if you watch the news too much. Steven Pinker: The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined (https://amzn.to/31z0mSK) Malaria vaccine launched in Kenya: Kenya joins Ghana and Malawi to roll out landmark vaccine in pilot introduction (https://www.afro.who.int/news/malaria-vaccine-launched-kenya-kenya-joins-ghana-and-malawi-roll-out-landmark-vaccine-pilot) Dieter Rams' Ten principles for good design (https://www.vitsoe.com/gb/about/good-design) I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (YouTube) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlR0KElxxVg) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.

Jundo and Kirk discuss whether you can practice Zen Buddhism if you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim, or believer in another religion. Meditation helped me drag myself out of self-loathing and failure (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/sep/02/meditation-helped-me-drag-myself-out-of-self-loathing-and-failure) Theme music by Kiku Day (http://www.kikuday.com). To submit a question, send an email to podcast@zen-of-everything.com. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-next-track/id1116242606) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.