Dharma Talk: "Flower Garland Buddhism" with Ben Connelly
in the Cloud
Ben’s talk is based on , Inside the Flower Garland Sutra: Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World. Huayan Buddhism arose in the sixth century in China rooted in the Mahayana Flower Garland (Huayan) Sutra. Huayan is relational, practical, and positive. Its emphasis on interdependence, celebration of the sensual world, and diversity of people and practices has much to offer during this era when many folks see ever-deepening divisions. Ben will illustrate the teachings with stories and lessons from his recent involvement with an array of nonviolent community responses to the violence ICE brought...
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Path(less): David Loy
in the Cloud
It was an honor to sit down with David Loy for this next conversation in the Path(less) series. David will be joining us here at Mountain Cloud for our . To learn more about David, his teachings, books and appearances, check out his webiste: Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation or membership. Donation: Membership: Reach out to with any comments or suggestions.
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Teisho: "No Merit" with Scott Thornton
in the Cloud
Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: Membership: Reach out to with any comments or suggestions.
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Teisho: "The Nonduality of Good and Evil" with David Loy
in the Cloud
Ukraine … Gaza … Iran … Can Buddhist teachings help us understand what is happening, and how we might respond? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: Membership: Reach out to with any comments or suggestions.
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Path(less): Valerie Forstman
in the Cloud
Such a pleasure to sit down with Valerie Forstman, Guiding Teacher for Mountain Cloud Zen Center, for this first conversation in the Path(less) series. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation or membership. Donation: Membership: Reach out to with any comments or suggestions.
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Teisho: "In the Wake of Sesshin: Wash your bowls" with Valerie Forstman
in the Cloud
In this first dharma talk following the Spring Sesshin, Valerie begins with a poem that whimsically maps the trajectory of practice. The talk then turns to Case 7 in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, “Joshu’s ‘Wash Your Bowls.’” A monk arrives at the monastery and asks for instruction. On the surface, Joshu’s response is a word of practice guidance to the monk and to us. Deeper still, Joshu’s every word presents the world where there is not the slightest bit of dust to wipe away. This world. This fact. The Gateless Gate that is always exactly where you are. Please consider...
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Path(less): Intro
in the Cloud
Welcome to a new converation series, titled "Path(less)," on the "in the Cloud" podcast. In this introductory episde, host, Grant Goulet, provides a brief orientation to the theme of the series: the pathless path of practice and life. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: Membership: Reach out to with any comments or suggestions.
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Teisho: "A Person of Great Strength" with Carolyn Seburn
in the Cloud
In this Teisho, Carolyn takes up Mumonkan Case 20: A Person of Great Strength – Seeing Shôgen’s World From the Midst of Fire. Recorded on March 12, 2026 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: Membership:
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Teisho: "On the Way Without Ever Leaving Home" with Valerie Forstman
in the Cloud
Valerie begins this talk with an exploration of Zen’s invitation to ‘come home’ to who we truly are. What kind of path is it that can arrive fully without taking a single step? And what are we to make of this homecoming when the suffering of the world is fully included? As a way of exploring these questions, the talk turns to a koan: Blue Cliff Record or Hekiganroku Case 69, “Nansen Draws a Circle.” Three monks, dharma siblings, set out together to visit a renowned master. Along the way, they stop to share the teaching – and to offer us a glimpse of home that is always right where...
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Teisho: "No Choosing (This is it!)" with Scott Thornton
in the Cloud
In Case 2 of The Blue Cliff Record, Master Joshu instructs us that “The Supreme Way is not difficult; it simply dislikes picking and choosing.” How can this actually apply to a human life, especially in such trying times, since we seem to be faced with nothing but choices every day, from the most mundane to the most heart wrenching? Recorded on February 26, 2026 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: Membership:
info_outlineMaria turns to Mumonkan Case 7, Joshu’s “Wash your Bowl”, his advice to a newcomer who earnestly asked him for instruction about the way. How does this simple instruction reflect the boundless way that Joshu himself asked his own teacher Nansen about when he first entered the monastery?
Recorded on November 20th, 2025
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