PZI Teacher Archives

Inquiry koans

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Dharma Theme May 4, 2023
65 Words
Text March 27, 2023

Here

John Tarrant

Like trees and giraffes, delusions appear to be the opposite of emptiness. But when you really settle into being lost and uncertain, that is an open gate. It comes to be called “here.”

766 Words
Text November 26, 2022
6480 Words
Video July 12, 2022

What Is It To Be YOU?

John Tarrant

Look, right now! Do you notice? John Tarrant gives inquiry koans on the first day of Summer Sesshin. Recorded on June 14, 2022. 2 minutes.

1' 17"
Audio April 28, 2020

Talking About the Deepest Matters

John Tarrant

John Tarrant shares his interest in investigating reality through inquiry koans, koan types, the huatou of koans, stories, and more. As recorded in Winter Sesshin, January 14, 2020.

41' 46"
Video February 19, 2020

Every Day Is a Good Day

John Tarrant

Yunmen said, “Before or after the full moon, every day is a good day!” The light of sesshin infuses us. In a “good day” the light is in you, just how it is—this is not an achievement, you are in the gift of the universe. The tenderness of the good day. Our whole lives opening to now. You can’t bully the Dao, it’s bigger than you! Not getting in the way of life. Also: Dreams, Linji’s death, and more. Video recorded in Winter Sesshin 2020.

50' 7"
Audio February 12, 2020

Every Day Is a Good Day!

John Tarrant

The whole thing about Chan is that it’s an improvisational culture. Because we love it? No, because that’s what life is! That’s the good day. Not-knowing is intimately tied to the good day. It’s not an achievement—it’s the gift of the universe, and you are in the universe having received the gift. Poetry, dreams, Linji’s death, and more. As recorded in Winter Sesshin 2020.

50' 7"
Video February 2, 2020

What Is This?

John Tarrant

John Tarrant discusses the surprisingly complex inquiry koan which lies at the heart of Zen practice.

32' 37"