Treeleaf Zendo Podcast - Master Tong'an Changcha's Ten Talks of Unfathomable Depth (1)

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 »