Explore every episode of the podcast Houston Zen Center Dharma Talks

Dharma Talk by Sengetsu Tricia McFarlin, Zen priest and co-Ino (Head of the Meditation Hall) of HZC.

Rev. Sengetsu Tricia McFarlin : Refuge in the Treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Saṃgha Download

Dharma talk by Shōjin Vicki Glenn, Soto Zen Priest, and co-Tanto / Head of Practice of HZC.

Shōjin Vicki Glenn : Today is Significant Download

Dharma Talk by Zen priest Choro Antonaccio.

Choro is the Abiding Teacher of Austin Zen Center. She began formal Zen practice in 1999 at Chapel Hill Zen Center, where she was lay and priest ordained by Josho Pat Phelan Roshi. Choro also trained at Tassajara, Green Gulch Farm, and City Center. She is a Dharma Heir of Abbot Gaelyn.

Choro Antonaccio : Offerings to the Buddhas Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : Bringing Forth the Mind of Bodhi Download

Dharma Talk by Rev. Seirin Tim Schorre. Tim is a Zen Priest, an architect, and a senior teacher at Houston Zen Center. He is the co-leader of Establishing the Path of Practice and the leader of HZC’s prison outreach program.

Seirin Tim Schorre : Receiving the Precepts Download

Dharma talk by Sanran Maite Leal. Maite is a senior member of HZC. She is the recent Shuso / Head Monk, of the 2023 Practice Period of Every Day Life. She is an art protector and restorer at MFAH. Her Dharma Names means Orchid of the Mountains.

Sanran Maite Leal : The Merit of Leaving Home Download

Dharma Talk by Jika Gayle Klaybor, co-Tanto / co-Head of Practice of Houston Zen Center, and Lay Dharma Teacher.

Jika Gayle Klaybor : Leaving Home Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : The King Requests Saindhava Download

Dharma talk by Rev. Gyōzan Royce Johnson, Vice-President of the Board of Directors, and assistant priest of Houston Zen Center.

Gyōzan Royce Johnson : Reading Other Minds Download

Dharma Talk by Koun Franz, Abbot of Sensouji (Thousand Harbours Zen) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Koun Roshi will speak over our zoom zendo link from Nova Scotia.

In addition to leading practice at Thousand Harbours Zen, Koun Roshi is also the Guiding Kyoshi of Soto Zen North America. He will address the importance of Soto Zen NA during his dharma talk.

Koun Roshi came to Halifax, Nova Scotia, from Japan, where he trained, taught, and translated at traditional monasteries and temples. From 2006 to 2010, he also served as resident priest of the Anchorage Zen Community in Alaska. A former board member for the Association of Soto Zen Buddhists and Soto Zen Buddhist Association, he is recognized by the Soto school in Japan as a kokusai fukyoshi, or international teacher.

His writings on parenting and Zen can be found at continuousmistake.com and nyoho.com.

Rev. Koun Franz : Soto Zen North America : Taking Care of the Tradition Download

Dharma talk by Shōjin Vicki Glenn, Soto Zen Priest, and co-Tanto / Head of Practice of HZC.

Shōjin Vicki Glenn : The Retreat Download

Practice Period of Every Day Life Sesshin Talk 5 of 5 by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : The Intention of the Ancestral Master In Coming From India : Sesshin Talk 5/5 Download

Practice Period of Every Day Life Sesshin Talk 4 of 5 by Shuso Kagen Leo Golub

Shuso Leo Kagen Golub : The Intention of the Ancestral Master In Coming From India : Sesshin Talk 4 Download

Practice Period of Every Day Life Sesshin Talk 3 of 5 by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : The Intention of the Ancestral Master In Coming From India : Sesshin Talk 3/5 Download

Practice Period of Every Day Life Sesshin Talk 2 of 5 by Shuso Kagen Leo Golub

Shuso Leo Kagen Golub : The Intention of the Ancestral Master In Coming From India : Sesshin Talk 2 Download

Practice Period of Every Day Life Sesshin Talk 1 of 5 by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : The Intention of the Ancestral Master In Coming From India : Sesshin Talk 1/5

Dharma Talk by Musō Constance Braden. Constance is a senior student at Houston Zen Center and the founder and primary teacher of Houston Iyengar Yoga Studio.

Muso Constance Braden : The Pātra Bowl Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Gowin : Empty Space Download

Imam Abdullah Antepli serves as President of The Rotko Chapel. A Turkish-born American imam and one of the few scholars working at the convergence of faith, ethics, and public policy, Antepli brings a deep commitment to pluralism and intellectual diversity – values core to the Chapel’s mission. Since its founding in 1971, the Chapel has stood as an international beacon at the intersection of spirituality, art, and human rights. Under Antepli’s leadership, it will continue to expand its global reach as a platform for interfaith engagement and social justice rooted in spiritual inquiry.

Imam Abdullah Antepli : The Spiritual Roots of the Rothko Chapel Download

Dharma Talk by Rev. Seirin Tim Schorre. Tim is a Zen Priest, an architect, and a senior teacher at Houston Zen Center. He is the co-leader of Establishing the Path of Practice and the leader of HZC’s prison outreach program.

Seirin Tim Schorre : The Samadhi of Self Verification Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : Great Practice Download

Dharma Talk by Karen DeCotis, Abiding Teacher of San Antonio Zen Center.

Karen DeCotis : Turning the Dharma Wheel Download

Dharma talk by Kōkai Kent Rutter. Kent is a long-time member of Houston Zen Center. His Dharma Name means Luminous Ocean. He is the leader of the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts series of classes. He is also an attorney.

Kent Kōkai Rutter : The King of Samadhis Samadhi Download

Dharma Talk by Keisen Lynn Snow, PhD. Lynn is a lay-entrusted dharma teacher and a senior member of Houston Zen Center. She leads a group of meditators in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she is also a professor of psychology, specializing in geriatric psychology.

Lynn Snow, Keisen/ Joyful River : The Entire Body of the Tathagata Download

KoUn / Radiant Cloud Matthew Brownlie is a senior member of HZC. He is also a musician and parent. He served as the Shuso / Head Student of the 2024 Spring Practice Period:

KoUn Matthew Brownlie : The Udumbara Flower Download

Dharma Talk by Rev. Seirin Tim Schorre. Tim is a Zen Priest, an architect, and a senior teacher at Houston Zen Center. He is the co-leader of Establishing the Path of Practice and the leader of HZC’s prison outreach program.

Seirin Tim Schorre : The Intention of the Ancestral Master's Coming From the West Download

Dharma talk by Assistant Teacher of HZC Shinji Mary Carol Edwards. Today is a celebration of Earth Day. Mary Carol will reflect on the importance of the Earth in Zen Practice.
Mary Carol is a landscape designer, wetlands restoration expert, and owner/founder of Green Star Wetland Plant Farm.

Shinji Mary Carol Edwards : Earth Day Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : Song of the Dragon Download

Dharma Talk by Sengetsu Tricia McFarlin, Zen priest and co-Ino (Head of the Meditation Hall) of HZC.

Rev. Sengetsu Tricia McFarlin : Reading a Sutra Download

Dharma Talk by Hōdō Zack Becker, Zack is a senior member of HZC, and currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors. He is the Chair of the Safety Committee. He is a serving police officer with HPD.

Hōdō Zack Becker : Dharma Nature Download

Dharma Talk by Zen priest Choro Antonaccio.

Choro is the Abiding Teacher of Austin Zen Center. She began formal Zen practice in 1999 at Chapel Hill Zen Center, where she was lay and priest ordained by Josho Pat Phelan Roshi. Choro also trained at Tassajara, Green Gulch Farm, and City Center. She is a Dharma Heir of Abbot Gaelyn.

Choro Antonaccio : The 37 Factors of Bodhi Download

Dharma Talk by Shindō Neely Atkinson. Shindō is a long-time member of Houston Zen Center, an ordained novice Zen priest, and a retired professor at Rice University.

Shindo Neely Atkinson : Everyday Matters Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : The Eye Download

Dharma Talk by Yuhō Wade Maggert. Leader of Queer Dharma and co-leader of Mindful Self-Compassion.

Yuho Wde Maggert : All Inclusive Study Download

Dharma Talk by Senior Dharma Teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi. This is talk 6 of 6, dated February 22, from the 5 day retreat at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center, February 17-22, 2026

Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi : The Teaching of Thusness: Voyaging in the Ocean of Dharma : Talk 6/6 Download

Dharma Talk by Senior Dharma Teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi. This is talk 4 of 6, dated February 20, from the 5 day retreat at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center, February 17-22, 2026

Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi : The Teaching of Thusness: Voyaging in the Ocean of Dharma : Talk 4/6 Download

Dharma Talk by Senior Dharma Teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi. This is talk 3 of 6, dated February 19, from the 5 day retreat at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center, February 17-22, 2026

Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi : The Teaching of Thusness: Voyaging in the Ocean of Dharma : Talk 3/6 Download

Dharma Talk by Senior Dharma Teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi. This is talk 2 of 6, dated February 18, from the 5 day retreat at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center, February 17-22, 2026.

Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi : The Teaching of Thusness: Voyaging in the Ocean of Dharma : Talk 2/6

Dharma Talk by Senior Dharma Teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi. This is talk 1 of 6, dated February 17, from the 5 day retreat at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center, February 17-22, 2026.

Tenshin Reb Anderson, Roshi : The Teaching of Thusness : Voyaging in the Ocean of Dharma Talk 1 of 6 Download

Dharma Talk by Rev. Seirin Tim Schorre. Tim is a Zen Priest, an architect, and a senior teacher at Houston Zen Center. He is the co-leader of Establishing the Path of Practice and the leader of HZC’s prison outreach program.

Seirin Tim Schorre : Seeing Buddha Download

Dharma Talk by Shane Phelps. Shane is a long-time member of HZC. He works in the chemical distribution industry as a senior project manager. This will be his first dharma talk. Shane received the Bodhisattva precepts in 2019, and the Dharma Name ShinJō Shoshin, Heart of Peace, Authentic Lion.

Shane Phelps : The Ten Directions Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : Washing and Purifying Download

Dharma talk by Rev. Gyōzan Royce Johnson, Vice-President of the Board of Directors, and assistant priest of Houston Zen Center.

Rev. Gyozan Royce Johnson : Plum Blossoms Download

Dharma talk by Assistant Teacher of HZC Shinji Mary Carol Edwards. Mary Carol is a landscape designer, wetlands restoration expert, and owner/founder of Green Star Wetland Plant Farm.

Shinji Mary Carol Edwards : Buddhas and Ancestors Download

Kokyo Roshi is a dharma heir of Tenshin Zenki Roshi, and a longtime friend of Houston Zen Center.
Kokyo Henkel Roshi’s teaching during this visit will focus on the important Zen teaching: Face to Face Transmission.

• January 9-11: 3-day retreat at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center led by Kokyo Roshi. The retreat is a special “Genzo-e”, a teaching retreat with several dharma talks and lectures throughout the weekend.

Kokyo Henkel, Roshi : Face to Face Transmission : Talk 3 of 4 Download

Kokyo Roshi is a dharma heir of Tenshin Zenki Roshi, and a longtime friend of Houston Zen Center.
Kokyo Henkel Roshi’s teaching during this visit will focus on the important Zen teaching: Face to Face Transmission.

• January 11: 9:45 am - Sunday dharma talk.

Kokyo Henkel, Roshi : Face to Face Transmission : Talk 4 of 4 Download

Kokyo Roshi is a dharma heir of Tenshin Zenki Roshi, and a longtime friend of Houston Zen Center.
Kokyo Henkel Roshi’s teaching during this visit will focus on the important Zen teaching: Face to Face Transmission.

• January 9-11: 3-day retreat at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center led by Kokyo Roshi. The retreat is a special “Genzo-e”, a teaching retreat with several dharma talks and lectures throughout the weekend.

Kokyo Henkel, Roshi : Face to Face Transmission : Talk 2 of 4 Download

Kokyo Roshi is a dharma heir of Tenshin Zenki Roshi, and a longtime friend of Houston Zen Center.
His teaching during this visit will focus on the important Zen teaching: Face to Face Transmission.

• January 8: 6-8 pm - Class at Houston Zen Center. This class is the first part of the “Genzo-e”, an intensive teaching retreat on Face to Face Transmission. Everyone welcome, and it is especially meant for those who will continue with the weekend retreat.

Kokyo Henkel, Roshi : Face to Face Transmission : Talk 1 of 5 Download

Dharma Talk by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Abiding Teacher of HZC.

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin : Washing the Face Download

Dharma Talk by Zen teacher Zenshin Greg Fain Roshi. Zenshin is a dharma heir of Sojun Mel Weitsman. He has lived and trained at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center for many years. He served as the Tanto/Head of Practice for many years as well as the Treasurer of the Monastery.

Rev. Zenshin Greg Fain, Roshi : Dharani Download