This is a collection of talks in which Katagiri Roshi discusses the fundamentals of Buddhist practice, particularly those of Eihei Dogen, the 13th century founder of Soto Zen in Japan. Topics include the deeper meanings of the terms zazen (“sitting meditation”), sanzen (often translated as “practice”), shikantaza (“wholehearted sitting”), śūnyatā or kū (“emptiness”), and also ignorance, suffering, compassion, and faith. There are also talks that touch on the Precepts, the meaning of the “three poisons,” and the understanding of feeling and emotion in Soto Zen. The talks listed here would serve well as an entry point into Katagiri Roshi’s teaching.

Dogen: Four Points

Katagiri Roshi explains Zen Master Dogen’s teaching in terms of four points: realization of impermanence, shikantaza, liberation in action, and the whole works. This talk focuses on realization of impermanence and the meaning of shikantaza, or zazen as practice.

Zazen: Dropping Off Body and Mind

Katagiri Roshi discusses the meaning of the phrases “dropping off body and mind” and “sanzen is zazen” in Zen Master Dogen’s teaching. This is related to the meaning of Avalokiteshvara as compassion. Also: suffering, faith, and emptiness.

Zazen: Entry to the Buddha Dharma

Katagiri Roshi introduces a series of talks on the question-and-answer section of Bendowa, “Negotiating the Way.” He discusses why zazen is the “right entrance to the buddha-dharma” – particularly, what “right” means – and the meaning of shinjin dotsuraku, “dropping off body and mind.”

(This talk is also part of the Bendowa series.)

Turning the Three Poisons into Wheels

Summary not yet available.

(This talk is also part of the Receiving the Precepts series.)

What Is Buddhist Faith?

The word may be problematic for some, but what does faith actually mean in Buddhism? Buddhist faith is intimacy with total dynamic working. Katagiri Roshi discusses how “the way we should practice within the intimacy between our lives and emptiness” is “to bear up, to enjoy, to desire, and to be limpid and clear.” Along the way, he talks about quarks, and driving on the freeway in Los Angeles. The original title of this talk was “Introduction to Buddhism.”