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. 

Browse selected posts as a guest, or access the entire collection as a PZI Member.

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Intro to Practice

Intro content about Koan Zen practice

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Sunday Talks

The latest open Sunday Talks

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KALPA Guide

Understanding the Library

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Koans Index

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Mystery & Awakening
September 28, 2025 Audio Files 37 Words

Mystery & Awakening

Don’t worry, it will all work out even if we don’t know what’s going to happen. Join us! It’s always…
Charles Peek happiness
Mystery & Awakening
September 28, 2025 Audio Files 37 Words
Charles Peek happiness

Mystery & Awakening

Don’t worry, it will all work out even if we don’t know what’s going to happen. Join us! It’s always such fun.
Mystery & Awakening
September 28, 2025 Videos

Mystery & Awakening

Don’t worry, it will all work out even if we don’t know what’s going to happen. Join us! It’s always…
Charles Peek happiness
Mystery & Awakening
September 28, 2025 Videos
Charles Peek happiness

Mystery & Awakening

Don’t worry, it will all work out even if we don’t know what’s going to happen. Join us! It’s always such fun.
Dharma Theme: 2024 Winter Sesshin – Where Do You Go When You Die?
May 9, 2025 Dharma Themes

Dharma Theme: 2024 Winter Sesshin – Where Do You Go When You Die?

Here you will find links to dharma talk audios from PZI’s Online Winter Sesshin: Where Do You Go When You…
death and dying descent
Dharma Theme: 2024 Winter Sesshin – Where Do You Go When You Die?
May 9, 2025 Dharma Themes
death and dying descent

Dharma Theme: 2024 Winter Sesshin – Where Do You Go When You Die?

Here you will find links to dharma talk audios from PZI’s Online Winter Sesshin: Where Do You Go When You Die? & Other Miscellaneous Koans, with John Tarrant & PZI…
2024 Winter Sesshin: Opening Night – Stop the Sound of the Distant Temple Bell
April 24, 2025 Videos 46′ 0″

2024 Winter Sesshin: Opening Night – Stop the Sound of the Distant Temple Bell

John Tarrant gives the opening talk on the first eve of PZI’s 2024 Winter Sesshin: Where Do You Go When…
birth and death miscellaneous koans
2024 Winter Sesshin: Opening Night – Stop the Sound of the Distant Temple Bell
April 24, 2025 Videos 46′ 0″
birth and death miscellaneous koans

2024 Winter Sesshin: Opening Night – Stop the Sound of the Distant Temple Bell

John Tarrant gives the opening talk on the first eve of PZI’s 2024 Winter Sesshin: Where Do You Go When You Die? & Other Miscellaneous Koans.
2024 Winter Sesshin: Opening Night – Stop the Sound of the Distant Temple Bell
April 24, 2025 Audio Files 25 Words

2024 Winter Sesshin: Opening Night – Stop the Sound of the Distant Temple Bell

John Tarrant gives the opening talk on the first eve of PZI’s 2024 Winter Sesshin: Where Do You Go When…
birth and death miscellaneous koans
2024 Winter Sesshin: Opening Night – Stop the Sound of the Distant Temple Bell
April 24, 2025 Audio Files 25 Words
birth and death miscellaneous koans

2024 Winter Sesshin: Opening Night – Stop the Sound of the Distant Temple Bell

John Tarrant gives the opening talk on the first eve of PZI’s 2024 Winter Sesshin: Where Do You Go When You Die? & Other Miscellaneous Koans.
The Distant Temple Bell – A Mysterious Task Koan
September 25, 2022 Dharma Talks 64′ 58″

The Distant Temple Bell – A Mysterious Task Koan

Just listen! After a difficult battle, a Japanese general hears a bamboo flute in the distance. The sound awakens him…
hearing listening
The Distant Temple Bell – A Mysterious Task Koan
September 25, 2022 Dharma Talks 64′ 58″
hearing listening

The Distant Temple Bell – A Mysterious Task Koan

Just listen! After a difficult battle, a Japanese general hears a bamboo flute in the distance. The sound awakens him to practice and teach Zen, and to allow music in…
2021 Fall Sesshin: Koan Practice or Not? Going Beyond Form
October 20, 2021 Audio Files 53′ 32″

2021 Fall Sesshin: Koan Practice or Not? Going Beyond Form

David Weinstein gives a morning dharma talk on being captured by the mystery and the koan, “Things are not as…
koan practice metamorphosis
2021 Fall Sesshin: Koan Practice or Not? Going Beyond Form
October 20, 2021 Audio Files 53′ 32″
koan practice metamorphosis

2021 Fall Sesshin: Koan Practice or Not? Going Beyond Form

David Weinstein gives a morning dharma talk on being captured by the mystery and the koan, “Things are not as they appear, nor are they otherwise,” and on the metamorphosis…