Explore every episode of the podcast TREELEAF ZENDO PODCAST

We continue our series based on master Tong'an Changcha's 'Ten Talks of Unfathomable Depth', and this month we tackle poem number 9, called Changing Ranks. The texts says: 

9. Changing Ranks Growing hair and horns, you enter town, Resembling a blue lotus flower blooming in the midst of fire. All afflictions become like rain and dew in the vast sea. All ignorance becomes like clouds and thunder on a mountain. You completely blow out the furnace below the cauldron of hell, Smashing to pieces a forest of swords and a mountain of daggers with a single shout. Even golden chains cannot hold you back at the entrance. Going into the realm of other beings, you transmigrate for a while.

The talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly Zazenkai, on October 2nd, 2026.

More information on treeleaf.org

We continue our series based on master Tong'an Changcha's 'Ten Talks of Unfathomable Depth', and this month we tackle poem number eight, called The Revolving Function. The short texts says: 

8. The Revolving Function

It is still dangerous even inside the castle of nirvana. Strangers come across each other without appointment. People call someone who provisionally puts on a dirty robe “a buddha.” But if someone wears precious clothes, what should you call him? In the middle of the night, the wooden man puts on shoes and leaves. At dawn, the stone woman puts on a hat and goes home. An ancient emerald pool, the moon in the empty sky. Screening and filtering over and over to catch the moon, for the first time you will really know.

This talk was given during the Treeleaf Monthly Zazenkai.

For more information, visit treeleaf.org

We continue our series based on master Tong'an Changcha's 'Ten Talks of Unfathomable Depth', and this month we tackle two more of the talks, the sixth and seventh, called The Song of Returning Home and The Song of Not Returning Home. The short texts says: 

6. The Song of Returning Home

Don’t be distracted by the King of Emptiness when you are still on the Way.

You must drive your staff forward, moving on until you reach home.

If you travel for a long time like clouds and water, don’t get attached to it.

Even in the deep recesses of snowy mountains, don’t forget your mission.

Ah! I regretted that in past days my face was like jade.

And I lamented that at the time of my return my hair had turned white.

Returning to my old home with dangling arms, there was no one who recognized me.

Also, I had nothing to offer my parents.

7. The Song of Not Returning Home

Having the intention of going to the source, of returning to the origin, is already a mistake.

Essentially, there is nowhere to settle down, no place to call one’s home.

The ancient path through the pines is covered with deep snow.

The long range of mountain peaks is furthermore blocked by clouds.

When host and guest are tranquil and serene, everything is incongruous.

When lord and vassal are united, there is wrong in the midst of right.

How will you sing the song of returning home?

In bright moonlight, the dead tree is blooming in front of the hall.

The talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly Zazenkai, on August 7th, 2026. More information on treeleaf.org

We continue our series based on master Tong'an Changcha's 'Ten Talks of Unfathomable Depth', and this month we tackle the fifth of the talks, called Bukkyo, or Buddhist teachings. The short text says: 

The Three Vehicles spoke golden words one after another. But the buddhas of the past, present, and future only declared the same thing. In the beginning, when they expounded the reality of skandhas and then complete emptiness, everyone grew attached to it. Later, when they negated both reality and emptiness, everyone discarded it again. The complete treasury of sutras in the Dragon Palace is meant to be prescriptions. Even the Buddha’s last teaching does not reach the unfathomable. If even one deluded thought arises in the world of true purity, This already means spending eight thousand years in the world of human beings.

The talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly Zazenkai, on July 3rd, 2026. More information on treeleaf.org

This is part four of our examination of the ten unfathomable talks by master Tong'an Changcha, moving on to the one called The Transcendent within Dust and Dirt. The text says:

"That which is impure is impure by itself; that which is pure is pure by itself.

Highest wisdom and delusion are likewise empty and even.

Who could say that nobody can appreciate Bianhe’s jade?

I say that the jewel of the black dragon shines everywhere.

Only when the myriad dharmas disappear does the whole thing appear.

The Three Vehicles split up and assumed only provisional names.

Truly outstanding people have determination that knows no bounds.

Do not try to go where the buddhas have already gone." 

This talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly zazenkai, on June 6th, 2026

For more information, visit treeleaf.org

We continue our examination of the ten unfathomable talks by master Tong'an Changcha, moving on to number three, The Unfathomable Function. The text says:

"You cannot rely on looking far ahead to the end of the universe. And why would you tie yourself down to tainted worldliness? Essentially, the miraculous body is not bound anywhere. It is already throughout the whole body, so what other traces could there be? A single efficacious word transcends the multitudes. It is far beyond the Three Vehicles and does not require cultivation. hake off your hands and get away from the sages of all ages. Then your path of return will resemble an ox in the midst of fire." 

This talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly zazenkai, on May 1st, 2026

For more information, visit treeleaf.org

We continue our Treeleaf Zendo Podcast with a new episode from the series based on master Tong'an Changcha's little-known "Ten Talks of Unfathomable Depth". Sekkei Harada Roshi relfects that "These Ten Verses of Unfathomable Depth ... written by Master Tong’an Changcha and represent a work of pure Sōtō Zen. The first five verses set forth the principles of Sōtō Zen, while the second five are concerned with matters of practice. Thus, taken together, these verses encapsulate the whole teaching of Sōtō Zen."

We will explore the second of the ten talks. (Translation by Daigaku Rumme) This talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly Zazenkai.

For more information about practice at Treeleaf Sangha, please visit treeleaf.org

This episode of the Treeleaf Zendo Podcast marks the beginning of a new series, based on master Tong'an Changcha's little-known "Ten Talks of Unfathomable Depth". Sekkei Harada Roshi relfects that "These Ten Verses of Unfathomable Depth ... written by Master Tong’an Changcha and represent a work of pure Sōtō Zen. The first five verses set forth the principles of Sōtō Zen, while the second five are concerned with matters of practice. Thus, taken together, these verses encapsulate the whole teaching of Sōtō Zen."

This talk was given during the Treeleaf monthly Zazenkai.

For more information about practice at Treeleaf Sangha, please visit treeleaf.org

To welcome and celebrate an auspicious new year, we will look through the beautiful and meaningful words of our 'Dedication of Merit', or Eko, as it is called in Japanese. The eko is recited during services, after the chanting of sutras and verses, directing the merit, or good will, good aspirations, to all beings or for specific causes. 

For more information on Treeleaf Sangha teachings, practice and offerings, please visit treeleaf.org

In this month's episode, we look into what is probably the earliest Ch'an writing, attributed with a certain amount of confidence, directly to master Bodhidharma. This is the "Treatise on the Two Entrances and Four Practices".

For more information on these talks and how to attend them live, please visit here »

This month, we continue with more of Master Dogen's advice on living wisely and well in this day-to-day life, from Hachi Dainin Gaku 八大人覺 'The Eight Realizations of the Great Person

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: October Monthly Zazenkai »

We commence our Jukai (Undertaking the Precepts) preparations and Ango (Peaceful Abiding) season, with a writing by Master Dogen on living wisely and well in this day-to-day life, contained in the "Hachi Dainin Gaku" fascicle of the "Shobogenzo". These are the Eight Realizations of a Great Person.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: September Monthly Zazenkai »

Today we Walk with Master Menzan's Kinhinki ( 經行軌 ) The Way of Walking Zen.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: August 2025 Monthly Zazenkai»

We return to port one last time, after a long sail with Master Dogen's “Ocean Mudra Samādhi” 海印三昧... but these waters of life flow on forever

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: July Monthly Zazenkai »

This month, we will do the backstroke through Master Dogen's Ocean Mudra Samādhi (Kai’in Zanmai 海印三昧). His wild wordplay is a powerful expression of who we are in the universe, time, being and bringing to life our swimming through life by swimming gracefully.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Treeleaf's June Monthly Zazenkai »

We will do the backstroke through Master Dogen's Ocean Mudra Samādhi (Kai’in Zanmai 海印三昧). His wild wordplay is a powerful expression of who we are in the universe, time, being and bringing to life our swimming through life by swimming gracefully.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: May Monthly Zazenkai»

In today's episode, we look at an earlier and less popular version of master Dogen's Fukanzazengi, which has quite some differences from the popular version we all know. So, what exactly did Dogen Zenji change in the rewrites to his manual for zazen?

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: March Monthly Zazenkai »

Today we dance with an insightful scholar's paper on Dogen Zenji's unique and profound ideas regarding fullness, universal liberation, the sacred as "immanent in space and time", Buddhahood in the "fundamental activity of the world," practice-realization as "liberating activity", Zen practice as the "practice of Buddhahood," and the fullness and sacredness of "ordinary life".

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: READ MORE HERE »

Happy New Year to you all! We continue our study of the koans from the Blue Cliff Record, with a new batch of them today, beginning with case 13.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: JANUARY 2025 MONTHLY ZAZENKAI »

However you feel about the results of the American election, and wherever you live in the world, we do not stop working for good. This is Master Dogen's lesson of "Ongoing Practice Enlightenment". We accept where we are, work for a good direction from right here ... and right here ... and right here. Winter is Winter, Spring is just Spring, Summer is just Summer, Fall is Fall ... but if we do not plant seeds in the Spring, there can be no harvest in Summer and in Fall.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: November 11 Zazenkai »

In this episode, we continue to look at koans from the Blue Cliff Record, specifically cases 7 to 12. We do that through the Soto Zen lens, extracting the practical essence from these famous ancient exchanges.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: November 2024, monthly Zazenkai »

This month, accompanying our sangha's book study, we take a look at the first five koans from the famous Blue Cliff Record. We do that through the Soto Zen lens, extracting the practical essence from these famous ancient exchanges.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: October 2024 Monthly Zazenkai»

This month, as we begin our sangha's Ango, we dive into a few sections of master Dogen's ¨Shoaku Makusa¨ (Not Doing Wrongs)

Further reading and discussion are available on the Treeleaf forum: September 2024 Monthly Zazenkai»

We continue our study of master Keizan's Zazen-Yojinki, this time diving into the physicality of zazen and some useful techniques to keep ourselves awake and alert when sitting.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: August 2024, monthly Zazenkai»

We continue with the fifth instalment of this series of talks based on master Keizan's 'Zazen-Yojinki'. In this episode, we are looking at what zazen is by understanding what zazen isn't.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: July Monthly Zazenkai»

This week, Master Keizan tells us what Zazen is, and is not (and also to have clean feet).

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: June 2024, Monthly Zazenkai »

This week, Master Keizan offers practical advice, relevant even today, although some bits maybe more suited to the 13th Century, on one's life surrounding Zazen Practice.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Treeleaf Sangha's May Monthly Zazenkai »

We continue our series on Master Keizan's 'Zazen-Yōjinki'or 'Notes to Keep in Heart for Zazen'

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: HERE»

Master Keizan, considered with Master Dogen one of the two "Founders" of Soto Zen in Japan, lived from 1264 to 1325. His essay “Zazen-Yōjinki” might be considered an expansion and further exploration of Dogen's explanation of Zazen, the 'Fukanzazengi'. The advice is often very practical, covering such topics as how to sit, breathe, what to wear, eat beforehand and what to do on those days when the mind just won't settle down, while other parts of the essay (such as today's portion) are wild, willy and mind wowing as only Zen writings can be!

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: March 2024 Monthly Zazenkai»

Today's Talk will reflect on our "Dedication of Merit", which we recite each time, but maybe without looking closely

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Dedication of Merit»

This is the sixth (and last) in our monthly series based on the modernized translation of the Genjo Koan, from Jundo's book "The Zen Master's Dance" A Guide to Understanding Dōgen and Who You Are in the Universe. Today a message very appropriate for a good life in this New Year and every day ...

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - A Happy New Year Genjo!!

Today, we find enlightenment in EVERY aspect of this world, even the hard parts we do not welcome. And we find enlightenment in how we live in this world, finding our own role

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI»

We continue our series on Genjo Koan, 'Realizing the Truth Right Here,' and the way of Bodhidharma found there.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Remember Bodhidharma Day!

This time, we will be looking at passages of Genjokoan based on the modernized translation from 'THE ZEN MASTER’S DANCE A Guide to Understanding Dōgen and Who You Are in the Universe' in light of our Jukai (Undertaking the Precepts) and Ango (Peaceful Abiding) Season ...

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Commencing JUKAI & ANGO!

Practitioners sometimes think that enlightenment is the endpoint of practice rather than an ongoing series of daily actions that are each an opportunity to manifest either ignorant or enlightened behavior. They think that they must get to a perpetually blissful place called “enlightenment,” removed from the pain and complexity of this world, and all their problems will disappear but their wishes and desires will be fully satisfied. Actually, that has never been the way Zen masters considered enlightenment

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Aug 4-5th 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hr ZAZENKAI - Genjo Koan (II) - The Key to Dogen's Zen

We Start of New Series on Genjo Koan, 'Realizing the Truth Right Here," the Key to Master Dogen's Zen. The text for the talk today, the first in a monthly series, is based on Jundo Cohen´s modernized translation of the Genjo Koan, from his book ¨THE ZEN MASTER’S DANCE¨ A Guide to Understanding Dōgen and Who You Are in the Universe

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: July 7-8th 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hr ZAZENKAI - Genjo Koan (I) - The Key to Dogen's Zen

The following is an audio version of the essay with the same title by Treeleaf Sangha founder and guiding teacher, Roshi Jundo Cohen

¨One must sit Shikantaza with profound trust that sitting is whole, complete, nothing lacking, the sitting of the Buddhas and Ancestors sitting as this sitting right here and now, no other place to be, nothing more in need of doing, nothing more to attain, that Zazen embodies enlightenment itself.¨ The essay can be found HERE

The following is an audio recording of an essay by Treeleaf founder and guiding teacher, Jundo Cohen.

Here's the "elephant in the room" of Shikantaza Zazen: What does it mean to "think-non-thinking?" In ordinary life, our daily minds resemble a mad circus, maybe a chaotic jungle. We react to the elephants passing through our awareness, jumping on, leaping from one to the next, pulling their tails, prodding them with a stick, often tangled in their trunks. Sometimes we chase them to catch them, sometimes we run away in fear, sometimes we get trampled underfoot. What is more, all our meddling seemingly summons ever more elephants of thought and emotion into the crowded room. The jumbled circus of "thought jumbos" and "emotion mastodons" never ends, and we taunt them and stir them up more. But in Zazen, the elephants are tamed.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: The Elephant in the Zazen Room

Today we'll scat with Dogen's jazz in Shobogenzo Nyorai Zenshin (The Buddha Whole Body). Some 700 or so years before modern jazz folks, Dōgen had the equivalent jazzy approach, taking “standard” Mahayana Buddhist teachings, fanciful but traditional Buddhist images, and “samples” of quotes from well-known stories related to his intended topics, tearing them apart, and tossing all back together again, remixing them, in order to discover and uncover new feelings, sounds, implications, visions, and Wisdom, all in what was often pretty wild imagery to start with!

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: June 2-3 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hr ZAZENKAI- Nyorai Zenshin -A Mini-Lesson in Dogen Jazz

The following is an audio recording of an article by Treeleaf founder and guiding teacher, Jundo Cohen.

"So much of all life is like a neutral canvas to which we add our judgments and reactions, coloring it with our feelings. It is like an empty container or some bland ingredient, like Tofu for example, that can be decorated or flavored as our heart decides. The experience is bad if we make it bad but it is whole, complete, fulfilling and welcoming if our heart makes it so."

Further reading and discussion for this are available on the Treeleaf forum: The "Inner Switch" of Zazen

In Today's Talk, will close our dance with the 信心銘, the Xinxinming, or Shinjinmei.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: May 5th-6th, 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI

Our Zazenkai today is in celebration of the Buddha´s birthday, traditionally April 8th in Japan! We will look at the Buddha's birthday and the Shinjinmei

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: April 7-8, 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI »

Today's Talk will be the third in a series reflecting on: THE SONG OF TRUST MIND (信心銘 Shinjinmei), A Key to Zazen

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: March 3rd-4th, 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (III) »

In Today's Talk, we continue our dance with the 信心銘, called the Xinxinming in Chinese and the Shinjinmei in Japanese, and by a variety of names in English

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: February 3rd-4th, 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (II) »

CELEBRATING THIS EVER NEW YEAR! Today's Talk will be the first in a series reflecting on: THE SONG OF TRUST MIND (信心銘 Shinjinmei), A Key to Zazen

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Jan 6-7th, 2022 - OUR (NEW YEAR!) MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (I) »

Our Dharma Talks this time will feature Rev. Kokuu and Rev. Jinkan, presenting their first Teachings upon and in celebration of their Dharma Transmission in our Lineage. Other Talks will feature our newest ordained priests, Koushi, Onkai and Nengei, as their "debut" offering of a Talk to our Sangha. Readings for Talks are based on passages from Menzan Zuiho Osho's Jijuyu Zanmai (自受用三昧 - "The Self-Receiving-Employing Samadhi")

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2022 »

Today's Talk will reflect on Master Keizan's "Middle Way, Beyond Hope to Attain" and "No Entering, No Emerging Samadhi"

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Nov. 4-5th, 2022 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS in EUROPE»

Today's Talk will reflect on Mirror Mind by Master Menzan from his Jijuyu-Zanmai

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Oct. 7th-8th, 2022 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Menzan in the Mirror»

Our Zazenkai is in Special Celebration and Welcome of the Commencement of our 2022 ANGO & JUKAI Season! Today's talk will reflect on redemption, Icchantikas and 'Broken Ladles'

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Sept. 2nd-3rd, 2022 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Commencing JUKAI & ANGO! »

Our talk today is on ''Sankon Zazen Setsu: Three Kinds of Zazen Practitioners' by Keizan Zenji. Which is better, Soto or Rinzai, Shikantaza or Koan Instrospection? Both! Neither! In fact, the medicine depends on the needs of the patient.

Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Aug 5-6, 2022 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf Zazenkai - Keizan's Sankon Zazen Setsu »