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Recorded October 3, 2026. Case no. 41 Gateless Barrier:  Bodhidharma sat facing the wall. Huike, the Second Ancestor, having cut off his arm, stood in the snow and said, “Your disciple’s mind has no peace as yet. I beg you, master, to please put it to rest.” Bodhidharma said, “Bring me your mind, and I will put it to rest.”  The Second Ancestor said, “I have searched for my mind, but I cannot find it.”  Bodhidharma said, “Then I have completely put it to rest for you.” The koan of Bodhidharma and his heir, Huike, plunges us into the heart of it: we are not at peace. How can we find peace? Huike’s request for help is to the point. The Buddha’s teaching, has not lost its relevance. At some point, we all come to recognize the difficulties and challenges of this life and are troubled. All we need do is, as Bodhidharma says to Huike, is bring forth our troubled mind so it can be pacified. That shouldn’t be too hard to do, should it? Ha! Books — “The Three Pillars of Zen” — Philip Kapleau Photo — Bodhidharma Altar, Oct 2026, Endless Path Zendo Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded 9/26/2026. In this lively, enjoyable teisho, Roshi Martin edits on the fly from the final two short chapters of his book, A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas — “Zen Failure” and “Painting of a Rice Cake: Creative Imagination and the Way of the Bodhisattva.” From “Zen Failure:” “Quantum theory suggests that each moment arises out of a field of endless possibility and has, in turn, endless lines of possibility extending from it. All such possible lines collapse into the one line we call “reality.” Ordinary reality then, is the perfect expression of Zen Master Wu-men’s (Mumon’s) statement —“The failure is wonderful indeed!” The red of the apple, the taste of this tea, the blue of the sky, the smile of a child — the failure IS wonderful indeed!” From “Painting of a Rice Cake:” “We create our real lives out of the imagination, something that athletes may know better than scholars. If you want to swim better, visualize yourself in the pool, the water flowing smoothly past, the chiming, churning sound of that flow, the kick of your legs, the perfect effortless stroke. Get in the pool afterward and — you swim better! What happens in the imagination makes us who we are. . .” Web article: https://sweetcakeenso.blogspot.com/2010/09/rafe-martin-on-gabyo-zen-master-dogens.html Teeny Tiny Tower: archival print by Ariya Martin (the artist Ariya Aladjem Wolf) Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded September 12, 2026. In this latest teisho (Zen talk) Roshi Martin, reads, comments on, and edits on the fly Chapter 11 —“The Bodhisattva Saves the Realm as the Consciousness of a Tree” from his book, “A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas” (Sumeru, 2023). “You and the tree in your backyard come from a common ancestor. A billion and a half years ago, the two of you parted ways. But even now, after an immense journey in separate directions, that tree and you still share a quarter of your genes.” Richard Powers, quoting Canadian botanist Suzanne Simard in “The Overstory: A Novel” “In the assemblies of the enlightened ones there have been many cases of mastering the Way bringing forth the hearts of plants and trees; this is what awakening the mind for enlightenment is like.” Zen Master Dogen Through root systems, leaves, and fungal webs every tree is woven into a planetary web of life that enfolds the body of the Earth, as well as endlessly up into the light of sun, moon, and stars. So, where does a tree’s body and consciousness end? How might a tree use its expansive consciousness to fulfill the three general resolutions of bodhisattvas to — “do good, avoid evil, and save the many beings”? Listen to this unique teisho and find out! Referenced: "The Overstory: A Novel," Richard Powers Painting: "Trees at Night, West Branch St. Regis River" by Rafe Martin Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded on August 8, 2026. This teisho is a potpourri made up of 3 shorter sections from "A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas" — namely a folktale of Fugen Bosatsu, a jataka tale of the Buddha in a past life when he was the consciousness of a tree, and a short piece on Zen, Creativity, and imagination all read aloud and commented on by their author, Roshi Rafe Jnan Martin.  Tree painting by Rafe Martin  Read Roshi Rafe Martin's latest book:  Finding Your Buddha Smile: Coming Home To What Zen is Really All About.  Available from Amazon , Sumeru Books, and Barnes & Noble Online. Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded 08/01/2026. What does it mean to be human? Does the form of having two feet, legs, eyes, and ears, a nose, brain, and heart sum it up? If so there are billions of us. But if by “human” we mean someone wise and compassionate, not driven by greed, anger, ignorance, or fear; someone who can be counted on when the going gets rough, then that number may be rather small. What does it take to be or become such a genuinely human, human being?  The Buddha in a distant past life was on the path of becoming fully human — that is, he was on the Way of the Bodhisattva — when a wrong choice led to an unexpected life. What did he do? How did he resolve it? What did he learn and how does knowing any of this help us? Give a listen and you’ll see why the image of a whale accompanies this teisho. Books: A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas -- Rafe MartinCarnivore Minds -- G.A. BradshawThe Three Pillars of Zen -- Philip KapleauThe Poetry and Prose of William Blake -- David Erdman, ed. Photo of John Perry sperm whale sculpture by Rafe Martin Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded July 25, 2026. Case no. 25, Gateless Barrier: “Yang-shan’s Sermon From the Third Seat” is as follows: Yang-shan dreamed he went to Maitreya’s realm and was led to the third seat. A senior monk struck the stand with a gavel and announced, “Today the monk in the third seat will preach.” Yang-shan rose, struck the stand with the gavel, and said, “The Dharma of the Mahayana is beyond the Four Propositions and transcends the Hundred Negations. Listen, listen.” Why does Master Wu-men, creator of the Gateless Barrier, use a story of an old teacher’s dream as a koan? Koans present actual words and doings. But this is just a dream. What value could it have? Roshi Kapleau used to say that enlightenment is a dream. After all, enlightenment is simply the realization of our own Mind, the selfless Mind that’s been ours from the beginning. What are we going to get with enlightenment that we don't already have? The problem is that we don't know it. So, while lost in dreams, we should not discount the dream’s value. Bob Dylan says “I’ll let you be in my dream if I can be in yours.” (“Talking World War III Blues.” Dreams within dreams. Within a dream. Roshi Kapleau used to relate how, not long after he’d arrived at Hosshinji Monastery a monk asked him, “Kapleau-san. Do you believe in dreams?” He told us that it took many years of Zen practice before he grasped what that monk was getting at. Do you believe in dreams? Who is it that believes in dreams? There is a dream dreaming dreams. Is it wrong that our life is a dream? With this dream scenario, Yang-shan and Wu-men have found a way to pull the wool not over, but off our eyes. This is a pretty good trick, wouldn’t you say? Book: Zen Life of Bodhisattvas by Rafe Martin Photo of Hotei at Endless Path Zendo by Rafe Martin Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded on July 11, 2026. Asked to write something about the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, Hakuin penned: “Even if the rivers and seas all receded and became dry land,/ Her vow to save all sentient beings still would never cease.” In other words even if the world turns upside down and seas become mountains and mountains seas, (which has actually happened), even if what is beyond imagining occurs, even, then, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion will not fall into thinking only of her self but will remain dedicated to the welfare of All — so deep and fundamental is her Great Vow.  Zen practice doesn’t care who we know or what our salary or social standing might be. It’s an iron mountain or, as Western fairy tales have it, a glass hill. We try, we fail, we try again. Through trying, failing, getting back up and trying again, Zen practice becomes genuine and we ourselves, authentic, authentically ourselves. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s own great Vow matured through such heart-felt failure — which is rather hopeful indeed.  Books — Complete Poison Blossoms from a Thicket of Thorn — Norman WaddellA Zen Life of Bodhisattvas — Rafe Martin Photo — detail: Avalokitesvara thangka at Endless Path Zendo by Rafe Martin Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded June 6, 2026. In preparation for the Jukai (receiving the precepts) on 6/20/2026, before leaving for the American Zen Teachers Association gathering, Roshi Martin read and commented on Aitken Roshi’s opening chapter of “The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics” — “The Nature of the Precepts.” Here’s that teisho, as presented at Endless Path Zendo on 6/06/2026.  Books -- "The Mind of Clover" by Robert Aitken Photo of Aitken Roshi at Palolo Zen Center, Honolulu, HI.  Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded 5/30/2026. Wu-men’s commentary to Case 42 of The Gateless Barrier, “Manjusri and the Young Woman in Samadhi” says “The comedy Old Shakya puts on the stage here is a great hodgepodge. Just tell me now; Manjusri is the teacher of the Seven Buddhas – why couldn’t he get the young woman out of her samadhi, when the Bodhisattva of Delusive Wisdom, a beginner, could? If you can firmly grasp this point, then for you this busy life of ignorance and discrimination will be the life of the Dragon Samadhi.” His verse to the case: One can awaken her, the other cannot; Both of them are free. A god mask, a devil mask The failure is wonderful indeed. Hmm. One can, one can’t. Isn’t that unfair? Shakespeare was an immediate success, but Melville never received a single positive review on his masterwork, Moby Dick. Picasso never failed to receive worshipful accolades, yet Van Gogh never sold a painting and William Blake died in poverty. One can awaken her, the other cannot. Astoundingly, Wu-men asserts that both are free. If so, how is Manjusri free, and how is the Bodhisattva of Delusive Wisdom also free? How is Einstein free and how Walt Disney? And what about us? How are we free, Dragon Samadhi or no? Let’s take a look! Photo of Manjusri on Lion at Endless Path by Rafe Martin Books referenced:  A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas by Rafe MartinBooks by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded May 16, 2026. Roshi Rafe Martin reads and comments on Chapter 3 of "A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas."  “Manjushri’s Threes by Threes” — Case # 35 of the Blue Cliff Record —  Manjusri asked Wu Cho, “Where have you just come from?” Wu Cho replied, “The south.” Manjusri said, “ How is southern Buddhism faring?” Wu Cho answered, “The monks of the latter days of the Law have little regard for the precepts.” Manjusri said, “Are there many or few?” Wu Cho said, “Here about 300, there around 500.” Wu Cho then asked Manjusri, “How does Buddhism fare in this part of the world?” Manjusri said, “The worldly and the holy dwell together; dragons and snakes intermingle.” Wu Cho asked, “Are there few or many?” Manjusri said, “In front, three by three; in back, three by three.” What’s going on? Does Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom, deliver — or obfuscate? What kind of wisdom is this? Wise folks may speak in riddles but can hide behind gibberish. Con-men have played that field. Have we been taken in? What is Manjusri’s profound wisdom and how will it help us live lives of actual meaning here and now? Let’s take a look! Books  A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas — Rafe MartinHaiku, Vol. 1: Eastern Culture — R.H. BlythMoby Dick — Herman MelvilleThe Adolescent — Fyodor Dostoevsky Photo of Manjusri and Buddha at Endless Path Zendo by Rafe Martin Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded May 9, 2026. Roshi Rafe Martin reads and comments on Chapter 2 of "A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas."  In Japan, the Buddha sits in the Buddha Hall, but Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom, presides over the zendo where he’s often shown seated on a noble and courageous lion -- symbol of our own enlightened Original Nature. Holding a scroll of prajna wisdom or a lotus in one hand and a sword in the other, he may have the shaved head of a monk—showing himself free of all attachments and concerns—or may be a prince with long hair, flowing robes and jewelry, royally engaged with life. “Forgetting the self,” through attention to the practice is Manjusri’s realm. This is not a matter of avoiding our emotions or of side-stepping or suppressing our individuality. Rather, it is like seeing a golden sunrise or a star-filled night and, awed, momentarily forgetting ourselves. It is like coming home. Clinging to thoughts of me, myself, and I never seem to bring us the joy or security we long for. Aren’t our best moments those in which we’ve forgotten ourselves? A glorious sunset stretches across the twilight, a mountain peak emerges from the clouds, the taste of tea awakens our tongue and we are momentarily ... gone. Zen’s wisdom is to help us live such a self-forgotten, ordinary life. Manjusri’s sword cuts in One, not two. But who is Manjusri, really? Let’s take a look!  Books:  “Complete Poison Blossoms From a Thicket of Thorn: The Zen Records of Hakuin Zenji” - Norman Waddell "A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas" — Rafe Martin Photo of Manjusri at Endless Path Zendo by Rafe Martin Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded May 7, 2026 Actualizing Our Gestural Imagination: Telling Stories that Live! A teaching session withaward-winning author and storyteller, Rafe Martin 5/7/2026 Boulder Valley Spell Binders of Boulder, CO. Photo of Rafe Martin, storytelling 1984 -- by Lawson Sachter. Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded May 2, 2026. Twenty-two years ago on March 6th , (it has gone by in the blink of an eye) 2004 my old Zen teacher, Roshi Philip Kapleau ,passed from this life to the next. I had just flown back home to Rochester from where I'd been speaking at a literary conference in Reno, Nevada and was picked up at the airport by an old Dharma friend who told me that Roshi had just died. We drove to where he was still seated in his wheelchair beneath a tree in the backyard of the Zen Center, surrounded by old Zen friends, where we all said our goodbyes. We had so much to be grateful to him for. At Endless Path Zendo we hold a memorial half-day zazenkai each year in Roshi Kapleau's honor. This teisho includes remembrances of Roshi Kapleau by both Rose and myself, plus a reading of the memorial piece on his life that “Buddhadharma” asked me to write shortly after his passing. Additionally, I shared an unusual anecdote from one of the times that when Rose and I were his guests in Florida once he’d retired from active teaching. If you want to know his story give a listen. It’s an interesting tale — Roshi Philip Kapleau had been the chief court reporter for both the Nuremberg and Tokyo War Crimes trials — which eventually led him directly to Zen and to a central -- and essential — role in the transmission of actual Zen practice to the West.  - Roshi Rafe Martin Photo of Roshi Kapleau by Casey Frank Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded April 25, 2026. In this first series of teishos from his book, “A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas,” Roshi Martin explores the nature of Bodhisattvas — the “wisdom beings” so central to the wise and compassionate vision of Mahayana Buddhism, which includes Zen. He also makes it clear that, in Zen tradition, to know who or what bodhisattvas are, we need to know who or what we ourselves truly are. Then again, are bodhisattvas — beings like Manjsuri and Avalokitesvara, Maitreya and Samantbhadra with the transformative power to truly help all suffering beings — really real? Towards the end of this teisho he relates two mysterious true incidents from his own life that led him to believe that such beings really do exist. Books — “A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas” by Rafe Martin“Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism - Lama Govinda“Complete Poison Blossoms From a Thicket of Thorn: The Zen Records of Hakuin Zenji” - Norman Waddell“Eight Beliefs in Buddhism” — Hakuun Yasutani“Further Zen Conversations” - Rick McDaniel Photo of Hotei at Endless Path Zendo, by Rafe Martin Read Roshi Rafe Martin's latest book:  Finding Your Buddha Smile: Coming Home To What Zen is Really All About.  Available from Amazon , Sumeru Books, and Barnes & Noble Online. Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org

Recorded April 18, 2026. Today’s teisho is on "Gateless Barrier" Case 38 — “A Buffalo Passes Through the Window.” Wu-tsu said, “It is like a buffalo that passes through a window. Its head, horns, and four legs all pass through. Why can’t its tail pass through as well?” Hakuin comments: "Hard for even the most clear- sighted Zen monks to crack, A Buffalo Passing Through the Window trips them all up. " In this life we'll all face situations, places, events, times that seem . . . beyond us, even impossible. What shall we make of Wu-tsu’s impossible buffalo? The scenario is ridiculous! Impossible. And yet we’re called upon by the koan to personally reveal and present its deep, living meaning. Is logic the be-all and end-all? Can even the most technically precise and clear scientific description of, let’s say, vision, give us our vividly personal experience of red flowers, blue skies, green grass, the joy we find upon seeing a child’s smile? Can a description give us the actual taste of a cup of first flush Darjeeling tea? By what wisdom do I know it personally, intimately? Let’s see if we can find out. Give a listen to this lively — and rather humorous — teisho! Referenced: "The Gateless Barrier: Th Wu-men Kuan (Mumonkan)" Robert Aitken Painting by Zen Master Hakuin -- Buffalo looking at a window. Books by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org