Welcome to the PZI KALPA Library

KALPA—Koans And Liberation Project Archive—the online Zen koan library of Pacific Zen Institute, was conceived as a way of providing a wider circle for today’s far-flung seekers to sit together, to enter the same timeless questions, and to receive the teachings.

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Intro to Practice

Intro content about Koan Zen practice

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Sunday Talks

The latest open Sunday Talks

KALPA Guide

Understanding the Library

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Koans Index

Browse our koan collection

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December 28, 2025 Audio Files 184 Words

Eternity Draws Near

Whether through billowing clouds, rushing rivers, or softly falling snow, eternity uncloaks itself as the mind grows still.

December 28, 2025 Audio Files 184 Words

endings eternity

Eternity Draws Near

Whether through billowing clouds, rushing rivers, or softly falling snow, eternity uncloaks itself as the mind grows still.

December 28, 2025 Videos

Eternity Draws Near

Whether through billowing clouds, rushing rivers, or softly falling snow, eternity uncloaks itself as the mind grows still.

endings eternity

December 28, 2025 Videos

endings eternity

Eternity Draws Near

Whether through billowing clouds, rushing rivers, or softly falling snow, eternity uncloaks itself as the mind grows still.

November 23, 2025 Videos 121 Words

The Most Wonderful Thing in the World

It’s a glorious thing to have companions on the Way. It’s also one of the great gifts of practice to…

Baizhang being on the path

November 23, 2025 Videos 121 Words

Baizhang being on the path

The Most Wonderful Thing in the World

It’s a glorious thing to have companions on the Way. It’s also one of the great gifts of practice to learn to enjoy one’s own company with the same curiosity…

November 23, 2025 Audio Files

The Most Wonderful Thing in the World

Who is this one with whom I seem to spend so much time? Whose worries wake me in the night,…

Baizhang being on the path

November 23, 2025 Audio Files

Baizhang being on the path

The Most Wonderful Thing in the World

Who is this one with whom I seem to spend so much time? Whose worries wake me in the night, and whose heart beats fast or slow in my chest?…

November 9, 2025 Videos 165 Words

What Is Buddha? Don’t Keep Hunting Around

What does it mean that we have “it” already? Why do we still suffer if we do?

being restless Mazu

November 9, 2025 Videos 165 Words

being restless Mazu

What Is Buddha? Don’t Keep Hunting Around

What does it mean that we have “it” already? Why do we still suffer if we do?

November 9, 2025 Audio Files

What Is Buddha? Don’t Keep Hunting Around

What does it mean that we have “it” already? Why do we still suffer if we do?

being restless Mazu

November 9, 2025 Audio Files

being restless Mazu

What Is Buddha? Don’t Keep Hunting Around

What does it mean that we have “it” already? Why do we still suffer if we do?

October 26, 2025 Audio Files 100 Words

Finding a True Place, a True Word, a True Life

Saying, even knowing, what’s true can be hard. Hearing what’s true can be hard, too, though somehow a relief to…

awakening deep knowing

October 26, 2025 Audio Files 100 Words

awakening deep knowing

Finding a True Place, a True Word, a True Life

Saying, even knowing, what’s true can be hard. Hearing what’s true can be hard, too, though somehow a relief to the part of us that sides with awakening.

October 26, 2025 Videos

Finding a True Place, a True Word, a True Life

Meditation clears space inside so the full splendor of reality can appear without all our adornments and disguises and objections.…

awakening deep knowing

October 26, 2025 Videos

awakening deep knowing

Finding a True Place, a True Word, a True Life

Meditation clears space inside so the full splendor of reality can appear without all our adornments and disguises and objections. We learn to recognize it and its thusness; it becomes…