PZI Teacher Archives

A Donkey Sees a Well (BS52)

KOAN:

Xaoshan asked the old student De, “The body of reality is like space. It responds to things—manifesting its forms the way the moon appears in the water. How do you explain this responsiveness?”
De said, “It’s like a donkey looking into a well.”
“That’s most of it, but not the whole thing.”
“What’s it like for you?”
“It is like a well looking at a donkey.”

—Book of Serenity Case 52

Audio March 2, 2022

Winter Sesshin: A Donkey Sees a Well

Jon Joseph

A donkey falls into a well, a well falls into a donkey. Morning dharma talk by Jon Joseph Roshi. Recorded February 2, 2022

37' 28"
Audio April 23, 2021

Spring Sesshin 2021: Evening Words with David Weinstein

David Weinstein

David Weinstein, Director of PZI’s Oakland Zen, delivers the evening words during Spring Sesshin. As recorded April 7, 2021. 5 minutes.

5' 12"

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Dharma Theme April 23, 2021
0 Words
Audio April 23, 2021

Spring Sesshin: A Donkey Sees a Well, Well Sees Donkey

John Tarrant

John Tarrant’s first evening talk during Spring Sesshin. Does the well also see the donkey? As recorded April 8, 2021.

45' 7"
Text July 7, 2020
3840 Words