Explore every episode of the podcast Seattle Soto Zen

What does it mean to truly belong to a sangha? In this talk welcoming new members to Seattle Soto Zen, Kanshin reflects on community as a shared practice—learning to support one another, receive guidance, and “stand beautifully” together. Drawing on Thích Nhất Hạnh’s image of the sangha as a forest, the talk explores how practicing together can strengthen and transform each of us.

Sept 20th, 2026 - $5 suggested donation - Kanshin Allison Tait

Book mentioned:
Joyfully Together: The Art of Building a Harmonious Community — Thích Nhất Hạnh

This Dharma talk explores the Four Noble Truths through Robert Thurman’s playful framing of the “Four Friendly Fun Facts.” Looking at suffering as something to understand rather than escape, the talk considers how self-centeredness creates alienation, how compassion reconnects us with others, and how the Eightfold Path offers a practical way to work with our lives as they actually are. Along the way, it touches on impermanence, Tonglen practice, and approaching Buddhist practice as an ongoing experiment in wisdom and compassion.

Books mentioned: Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life by Robert Thurman, and Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong by Norman Fischer.

Suggested Donation $5 - 09/13/2026

What does it mean to truly enjoy Zen practice? In this talk, Kanshan explores joy, presence, and the meaning of practicing without a “gaining idea.” Drawing on Suzuki Roshi and Zenkei Blanche Hartman, he reflects on our tendency to think something is missing or wrong with us, and how Zen invites us instead to meet this life with greater openness, balance, love, and joy.

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Kanshin Allison Tait - 09/06/26 - Suggested Donation $5

In this Dharma talk, Kanshin explores the history, symbolism, and sometimes surprisingly contentious traditions surrounding Buddhist robes in Soto Zen. From the origins of the okesa and rakusu to the practice of sewing robes for Jukai and Dharma transmission, the talk looks at how these garments embody practice, lineage, and “the field of merit.” Along the way, Dogen’s teachings offer a practical lesson: we can keep what is wise and true from our teachers while leaving behind what is harmful or mistaken.

Kanshin Allison Tait - August 23rd 2026 - $5 Suggested Donation

This talk concludes Seattle Soto Zen’s exploration of Dogen Zenji’s Fukanzazengi, reflecting on the limits of our perception and the transformative challenge of sincere Zen practice. Through Dogen’s images of “groping for the elephant” and encountering the “true dragon,” the talk considers how we see only part of reality—and how practice can reveal uncomfortable truths about ourselves as well as expand our understanding.

At the heart of the teaching is Dogen’s encouragement to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to zazen. Rather than treating meditation as a way to obtain enlightenment, zazen is presented as the expression of our already-complete Buddha nature: a chance to stop performing, judging, and striving, and simply allow life to live itself. Through sustained practice, we discover that the wisdom, compassion, and awakening we seek have been with us all along.

Kanshin Allison Tait - 08/16/26 - $5 Suggested donation 

This Dharma talk explores Dogen’s reminder in Fukanzazengi that human life offers a rare opportunity for practice—and that we shouldn’t waste it. Through teachings on the six realms, everyday examples, and reflections on impermanence, we’re encouraged to wake up to the fleeting nature of life and keep practice close. Drawing on Thich Nhat Hanh, the talk reminds us that impermanence isn’t simply a cause for sadness: recognizing that everything changes can help us cherish the people, experiences, and moments of our lives more deeply.

08/09/26 - Kanshin Allison Tait - $5 suggested donation 

Shindo Steve Given - August 2nd 2026 - Suggested Donation $5 - Through the koan “What is Buddha? Three pounds of flax,” this talk explores the limits of language and our tendency to become trapped in explanations, distinctions, and opinions. Drawing on Dōgen, Suzuki Roshi, and other Zen teachers, it points toward zazen as a direct encounter with Buddha nature—not something to be understood through words, but something realized in silence, practice, and the immediacy of this moment.

Total Engagement in Immovable Sitting - Fukan Zazengi (Part 11) - Kanshin Allison Tait - July 26th 2026 - Suggested Donation $5 - The talk explores Dōgen’s teaching that Zen practice is not about becoming someone better or achieving a special state, but about wholeheartedly living the life we already have. Through stories of Dharma transmission, the image of a silver needle in a silver bowl, and Kōdō Sawaki’s teaching that “zazen is good for nothing,” it emphasizes that practice does not erase our individuality: a violet should bloom as a violet, and a rose as a rose. The path is simply to keep returning—to our posture, our breath, our true intention, and respectful care for everything we encounter—within the ordinary conditions of everyday life.

The Acrostic Jewel Mirror - Genzen Ed Cadman - Talk Date: 03/29/26 - Suggested Donation $5 - Genzen Ed Cadman reflects on the Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, exploring how the teachings of “thusness” are passed intimately through Buddhas, ancestors, community, and creative expression. He shares his personal project of transforming the ancient poem into autobiographical acrostic poetry, weaving together Zen practice, family memories, and gratitude for those who have shaped his life.

Everydayness - Fukan Zazengi (Part 10) - Daiho Chris Middleman - 07/12/26 - Suggested Donation $5 - Drawing on Dogen’s Fukanzazengi, this talk explores Zen practice as something ordinary, wholehearted, and available to everyone. It reflects on honest effort, the temptation to make spiritual practice seem special or otherworldly, and the freedom of fully inhabiting our everyday lives just as they are.

The Dharma Gate of Repose and Bliss - Fukan Zazengi (Part 8) - Kanshin Allison Tait - Suggested Donation $5

Think Not Thinking - Fukan Zazengi (Part 7) - Kanshin Allison Tait - Suggested Donation $5

Bowing into the Life of Vow - Eko Jeff Kelley - 06/07/2026 - Suggested Donation $5 -

This talk explores bowing as a practice of humility, surrender, and connection. Using the Soto bowing verse, it reflects on letting go of the separate self, recognizing that we are “not two,” and returning to everyday life guided by the bodhisattva vows.

Zazen Body - Fukan Zazengi (Part 6) - Kanshin Allision Tait - May 31 2026 - Suggested Donation $5

Samzen Instructions - Fukan Zazengi (Part 5) - Kanshin Allison Tait - May 24th 2026 - Suggested Donation $5

Turn The Light Around - Fukan Zazengi (Part 4) - Kanshin Allison Tait -  May 17th 2026 - Suggested Donation $5

When You Rise - Fukan Zanzengi (Part 9) - Kanshin Allison Tait - 07/05/26 - Suggested Donation $5

Sitting Long and Getting Tired - Fukan Zanzengi (Part 3) - Kanshin Allison Tait - May 10th 2026 - Suggested Donation $5

The Mind is Lost In Confusion - Fukan Zanzengi (Part 2) - Kanshin Allison Tait - May 3rd 2026 - Suggested Donation $5

Zazen For The People - Fukan Zanzengi (Part 1) - Kanshin Allison Tait on April 26th 2026 - $5 Suggested Donation