The Life and Teachings of Master Dahui (Part One)
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
From this first teisho of the Fall 2024 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede begins her series on the life and teachings of Master Dahui (his Japanized name is Daie Zenji). As she discussed in the previous podcast on his "Vow for Enlightenment" chant that we use at Windhorse, he is one of the greatest Zen Masters of the Song Dynasty in China. But, she begins the teisho with some admonishments on how we should take care in how we treat each other—both in sesshin and out. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to...
info_outline
Master Dahui's Vow For Enlightenment
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In this teisho, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede unpacks "Master Dahui's Vow For Enlightenment," a chant often used at Windhorse. Dahui (Japanized: Daie Zenji) was a well-known Zen Master from the Song dynasty. This chant reflects his intense desire for awakening and he inspires us to follow suit "however long the road ahead appears to be." To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org
info_outline
Clouds Cooking Rice
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In this teisho, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the miscellaneous koan (localized for our Appalachian mountains): "On top of Mount Mitchell, a cloud is cooking rice." To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina (and beyond), please go to windhorsezen.org
info_outline
Under the Shadowless Tree
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In this teisho from June of '24, Sunya-roshi discusses Tangen's verse to the Emperor in Case #18 "The National Teacher's Seamless Monument" of the Hekiganroku (Blue Cliff Record). She talks about the importance of practice while travelling. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org
info_outline
There Is No Waiting
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In this deep dive into the teisho vault, Sunya-roshi (here just Sunya-sensei) gives a special talk from May 2005 on the immediacy of practice. Please be aware the the audio does take a few seconds to start. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org
info_outline
Go Straight Ahead!
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In this final teisho from the Summer '24 7-Day Sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses Case #31 of The Gateless Gate (Mumonkan), "Joshu Sees Through The Old Woman." She ends with the Flowers Poem, anonymous verses written by a Zen monk often used at funerals and memorial services. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhosezen.org
info_outline
Zen Practice Is Like A Great Wind Sweeping Through Us
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In this teisho offered on the fourth day of our 2024 Summer Sesshin, Sunya-roshi talks about waking up and giving ourselves fully to the practice. She tells the story of one of the Buddha’s disciples who, while not very smart, awakened to his original nature by sweeping. And she speaks of Shitou Xiqian (Sekitō Kisen) and his first meeting with his teacher. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhosezen.org
info_outline
You Can't Talk About Zen
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In this teisho from the second day of the Summer 2024 sesshin, Sunya-roshi talks about how we ultimately cannot talk about Zen. Zen Practice needs to be embodied. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and the dharma work here in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org
info_outline
At the Bedside of Vimalakirti
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In this teisho from June of 2024, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the Vimalakirti Sutra. She talks about how we work with suffering, illness and death. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhosezen.org
info_outline
Zen Practice: What's Love Got To Do With It?
Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community
In all the mystical traditions of various religions, love is oft discussed, but it is seldom mentioned in Zen Buddhism. In this recent teisho from early March of 2025, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses how love can be a tricky word to define or experience—but also how wholehearted Zen practice helps dig up the concrete of views and judgements to rediscover the "living greeness" of our own depths right here. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhorsezen.org
info_outlineIn this teisho from June of 2024, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the Vimalakirti Sutra. She talks about how we work with suffering, illness and death. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma work in Western North Carolina, please go to windhosezen.org