Advertise on podcast: Houston Zen Center Dharma Talks

Dharma Talk by Dōjin Sarah Emerson. Sarah Dōjin Emerson’s formal practice in Soto Zen began in 1996. She lived and trained at Tassajara Zen Mountain center and other sites of the San Francisco Zen Center from 1997-2007. She received Dharma Transmission from Abbot Konjin Gaelyn Godwin of the Houston Zen Center in 2015. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies, and has worked in the fields of mental health and pastoral care with children and adults. She experiences Bodhisattva Zen practice as deeply supportive to inquiring into, challenging and transforming systems of oppression, particularly racial inequities and the harm they cause within convert Buddhist sanghas, and in U.S. society generally. Sarah has also worked for many years in grief support- clinically, ritually and in community- specializing in child loss. She lives with her partner, Charlie Pokorny (who is also a Soto Zen Buddhist priest), their children (who are her most profound and constant teachers) and numerous pets in Brooklyn, NY.

Dharma talk by Akiba Gengo Roshi, Sokan/Bishop of Soto Zen North America. This talk, or "Honsoku Gyocha" (Fundamental Words) was given during the formal tea ceremony preceding the Ceremony of Dharma Inquiry (Shuso Ceremony) for Hondo Dave Rutschman. These dharma words were on the koan "No Cold or Heat" from the Blue Cliff Record, which Shuso Hondo faced during the ceremony. Translation by Ejo McMullen, abbot of Buddha Eye Temple in Eugene, Oregon.

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Dharma Talk by Kyoshin Anna Gonzalez. Anna's dharma name is Kyoshin, Bridge of Truth. She is on the Board of Directors of HZC, and is a long-time student of Zen.

Dharma talk by Mitko Badov. This will be a “way-seeking mind” talk, the first talk by HZC member Mitko. Mitko received the Bodhisattva Precepts in February 2022, and the Dharma name, Kōsen Shikaku / River of Light, Deep Awakening. Mitko is a physician, practicing in Florida.

Dharma Talk by Sengetsu Tricia McFarlin, Zen priest and co-Ino (Head of the Meditation Hall) of HZC. Rev. Sengetsu Tricia McFarlin : Refuge in the Treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Saṃgha Download

Dharma talk by Shōjin Vicki Glenn, Soto Zen Priest, and co-Tanto / Head of Practice of HZC. Shōjin Vicki Glenn : Today is Significant Download

Dharma Talk by Zen priest Choro Antonaccio. Choro is the Abiding Teacher of Austin Zen Center. She began formal Zen practice in 1999 at Chapel Hill Zen Center, where she was lay and priest ordained by Josho Pat Phelan Roshi. Choro also trained at Tassajara, Green Gulch Farm, and City Center. She is a Dharma Heir of Abbot Gaelyn. Choro Antonaccio : Offerings to the Buddhas Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC. Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : Bringing Forth the Mind of Bodhi Download

Dharma Talk by Rev. Seirin Tim Schorre. Tim is a Zen Priest, an architect, and a senior teacher at Houston Zen Center. He is the co-leader of Establishing the Path of Practice and the leader of HZC’s prison outreach program. Seirin Tim Schorre : Receiving the Precepts Download

Dharma talk by Sanran Maite Leal. Maite is a senior member of HZC. She is the recent Shuso / Head Monk, of the 2023 Practice Period of Every Day Life. She is an art protector and restorer at MFAH. Her Dharma Names means Orchid of the Mountains. Sanran Maite Leal : The Merit of Leaving Home Download

Dharma Talk by Jika Gayle Klaybor, co-Tanto / co-Head of Practice of Houston Zen Center, and Lay Dharma Teacher. Jika Gayle Klaybor : Leaving Home Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC. Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : The King Requests Saindhava Download

Dharma talk by Rev. Gyōzan Royce Johnson, Vice-President of the Board of Directors, and assistant priest of Houston Zen Center. Gyōzan Royce Johnson : Reading Other Minds Download

Dharma Talk by Koun Franz, Abbot of Sensouji (Thousand Harbours Zen) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Koun Roshi will speak over our zoom zendo link from Nova Scotia. In addition to leading practice at Thousand Harbours Zen, Koun Roshi is also the Guiding Kyoshi of Soto Zen North America. He will address the importance of Soto Zen NA during his dharma talk. Koun Roshi came to Halifax, Nova Scotia, from Japan, where he trained, taught, and translated at traditional monasteries and temples. From 2006 to 2010, he also served as resident priest of the Anchorage Zen Community in Alaska. A former board member for the Association of Soto Zen Buddhists and Soto Zen Buddhist Association, he is recognized by the Soto school in Japan as a kokusai fukyoshi, or international teacher. His writings on parenting and Zen can be found at continuousmistake.com and nyoho.com. Rev. Koun Franz : Soto Zen North America : Taking Care of the Tradition Download