151 - The Emptiness of Self and Why It Matters

FromThe Zen Studies Podcast

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151 - The Emptiness of Self and Why It Matters

FromThe Zen Studies Podcast

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Length:

32 minutes

Released:

Oct 26, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

The emptiness of self is a Zen teaching that may seem rather abstract and philosophical, or even kind of nihilistic, depressing, or disorienting. Why does this matter? In brief, knowing the true nature of our self is what liberates us from fear and suffering.

Released:

Oct 26, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Host Domyo Burk is a Soto Zen priest and teacher. She records episodes specifically for podcast listeners on traditional Zen and Buddhist teachings, practices, and history.

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Arising of Buddhism Part 2: New Religious Questions and Answers Around 500 BCE: This episode is a continuation of episode 5, which focused on the historical and religious context in India before the Buddha, and how social, economic, and political changes inspired new, alternative religious movements around the time of... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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Dharma Talk - Beyond Mindfulness: The Radical Practice of Undivided Presence: This episode is a Dharma Talk, where I present my own take on traditional Zen and Buddhist teachings & practices. In this talk I present an alternative to mindfulness practice, because I believe the concept of mindfulness – at least the way... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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Shakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment: What Did He Realize?: Buddhism began over 2,500 years ago with the spiritual enlightenment of a man named Siddhartha Gautama, who became the "Buddha," or "awakened one." What exactly did the Buddha realize upon his enlightenment? by The Zen Studies Podcast
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What Is "Zen Practice," Anyway?: If you've spent any time in a Zen community, or reading Zen books, you will have encountered the term “practice” countless times. Buddhist teachers throughout the centuries have told us to “practice” diligently. Students of Zen are called... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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Arising of Buddhism Part 1: Historical and Religious Context in India: This is the first episode in my “Buddhist History and Seminal Texts” series. I discuss the historical and religious context for the beginnings of Buddhism in India in the 500s BCE. I give you a brief overview of the history of civilization in... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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23 - How Buddhists Should Behave: Evolution of the Buddhist Precepts Part 2: I continue with the story of the Theravadin precepts - particularly how the Vinaya has affected the ordination of monks and nuns, and how lay people participate in precept practice. Then we move on to China, and I talk about how the Chinese dealt with... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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29 - Six Realms of Existence Part 1: Introduction and the Heaven Realm: In this episode, part 1 of 3, I explain the Buddhist teaching of the Six Realms of Existence, also known as the Wheel of Life, or the Wheel of Samsara. I share the rich mythology and imagery of this teaching while explaining how it can be a useful... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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41 -Dogen’s Genjokoan Part 4: Moon in a Dewdrop and Views of the Ocean: In this 4th episode of 5 on Zen master Dogen's Genjokoan (written in 1233), I discuss the image of the moon reflected in a dewdrop (ultimate reality reflected/realized by a limited person), and the metaphor of different experiences of the ocean (the... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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19 - The Heart Sutra Part 1: Introduction to the Most Common Mahayana Text: The Heart Sutra is probably the best-known Buddhist text in the world. It's less than 250 words long and considered to present the essence of Mahayana Buddhism. However, its meaning – and its attraction to Buddhists – may not be immediately... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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Life of Shakyamuni Buddha Part 1: Source Texts, and Birth Through Homeleaving: Buddhism began when Siddhartha Gautama experienced a spiritual awakening over 2,500 years ago in India, and became an “awakened one,” or Buddha. Over the course of two episodes, I tell the story of the Buddha’s life from birth to death, while... by The Zen Studies Podcast
36 min listen
Life of Shakyamuni Buddha Part 3: First Sermons and Students, and the Early Sangha: In this first of two episodes about the Buddha's 45-year teaching career and the early Buddhist community, I’ll talk about the Buddha’s first sermons, the enlightenment of the first disciples, the first lay students of the Buddha and how lay... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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Labor Day Message: I won't be releasing a new episode today, in honor of Labor Day weekend. I will release one next week! Take care, Domyo by The Zen Studies Podcast
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49 - Buddhist History 8: Aśoka, First Buddhist Emperor – Facts and Legend – Part 1: King Aśoka was an Indian emperor in the 3rd century BCE. According to legend, he was a devout Buddhist who explicitly and publicly governed in accord with the Dhamma, or Buddhist teachings. Aśoka has been important to Buddhists – particularly... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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36 - Buddha's Teachings Part 3: The Noble Eightfold Path: In his very first sermon, delivered over 2,500 years ago, Shakyamuni Buddha taught the Noble Eightfold Path. In this episode I describe this teaching and each of the eight aspects of the path. I also explain why Buddhism resists being summed up even... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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31 - Six Realms of Existence Part 3: Hungry Ghost and Human Realms: In this third episode of a 3-part series on the Buddhist teaching of the Six Realms of Existence, I describe the Hungry Ghost and Human Realms. I continue offering a traditional, mythological account of the realms, followed by a section about how to... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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18 - Zen Forms (Customs and Rituals) and Why They Matter: In traditional Zen practice, we have a lot of what we call “forms.” Forms are the established ways we enact our practice with our bodies… including the ways we move in the meditation hall, sit in the meditation posture, place our shoes outside... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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38 - The Two Sides of Practice: Samadhi Power and Karma Relationship: Buddhist practice can be seen as consisting of two sides, and both are essential. The first side is cultivating “samadhi power,” or our ability to perceive – or be awake to – the absolute aspect of reality. The second side is working on... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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37 - Dogen’s Genjokoan Part 3: Seeking, Self, and the Matter of Life-and-Death: In part 3 of my series on the famous Zen text called “Genjokoan,” written in 1233 by Japanese Zen master Eihei Dogen, I discuss the sections about seeking the Dharma, riding in a boat (recognizing self-nature is impermanent), and firewood and ash... by The Zen Studies Podcast
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151 - The Emptiness of Self and Why It Matters

151 - The Emptiness of Self and Why It Matters

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Titles in the series (100)

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