The No-Rank Zendo Podcast

Rinzan Pechovnik is the head priest and primary teacher at No-Rank Zendo, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist Community in Portland, Oregon. His Dharma talks explore various aspects of Rinzai Zen Buddhist practice, spirituality and religion. He emphasizes practice as a means to develop and cultivate a tender open-heartedness that allows a deep engagement with a troubled world. http://www.norankzendo.org

Hekiganroku: A Seamless Pagoda 04/12/2024

Hekiganroku: A Seamless Pagoda In this Teisho, given on March 25th, 2024, the third day of Chobo-ji's Spring Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 18 of the Hekiganroku: Emperor Shukusō Asks About the Style of the Pagoda. In Zen, it is said that we must die to be free. What is it to die? What remains when we do die? What is it to let life spring forth from this great wellspring and to be seamless with all things? /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/30797488

Hekiganroku: Kyosei's Instruction on Pecking and Tapping 03/20/2024

Hekiganroku: Kyosei's Instruction on Pecking and Tapping In this Teisho, given on March 3rd, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 16 of the Hekiganroku: Kyosei's Instruction on Pecking and Tapping. Being present and leaning into the direct experience of life is pecking. The whole universe taps back, inviting us to wake up. If we stay vigilant and attentive, in the ripeness of time, the ego barrier will break open. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/30468373

Hekiganroku: Haryo's "Snow in a Sliver Bowl" 03/13/2024

Hekiganroku: Haryo's "Snow in a Sliver Bowl" In this Teisho, given on February 11th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 13 of the Hekiganroku: Haryo's "Snow in a Sliver Bowl." Koan introspection invites into a way of being that is always available but that we don't normally access. This way of being opens us up to a more meaningful relationship with the deep nature of things. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/30357103

Hekiganroku: Obaku's Partakers of Brewer's Grain 03/01/2024

Hekiganroku: Obaku's Partakers of Brewer's Grain In this Teisho, given during No-Rank's Rohatsu sesshin on January 18th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 11 of the Hekiganroku: Obaku's Partakers of Brewer's Grain. Buddhism invites us to know the truth for ourselves. Whatever concepts we have about "truth" only get in the way of the direct experience of something beyond. The role of the so-called "Zen teacher" is not to show what is, but to help clear away the obstructions we have placed in front of ourselves. In this, we are all students to someting that cannot be taught. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/30181968

Hekiganroku: Bokushu's Empty Headed Fool 02/16/2024

Hekiganroku: Bokushu's Empty Headed Fool In this Teisho, given during No-Rank's Rohatsu sesshin on January 17th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 10 of the Hekiganroku: Bokushus's "Empty Headed Fool." Our modern mind has lost much of its capactiy to feel into and relate to the world in ways that are deep and intimate. Koan study allows us to enter a different way of being and relating if only we are willing to step out of the shallows. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/29989303

The Hidden Lamp: Soma Rebukes Mara 01/29/2024

The Hidden Lamp: Soma Rebukes Mara In this Teisho, given on January 14th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Soma Rebukes Mara. In this first Teisho given at the new No-Rank Zen Temple, Rinzan Osho examiens the way the judging mindf, caught by right and wrong, like and dislike, limites the full blossoming of our lives. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/29701423

The Hidden Lamp: The Goddesss Transformations 01/12/2024

The Hidden Lamp: The Goddesss Transformations In this Teisho, given on December 13th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: The Goddess' Transformations. When we look deeply, there is no foundation for our differences. At the same time, as we become intimate with the deep nature of things, we are more and more amazed and appreciative of the profundity of our living, breathing, uniqueness. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/29460133

The Hidden Lamp: Asan's Dewdrop 12/30/2023

The Hidden Lamp: Asan's Dewdrop In this Teisho, given on November 1st, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Asan's Dewdrop. In the face of impermanence and the passing of our own lives, we are confronted with the imparative to let the light inside us shine forth, to give back to a world awaiting our full participation. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/29283398

Mumonkan: Basho and a Stick 11/25/2023

Mumonkan: Basho and a Stick In this teisho, given on October 11th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 44: Bashio and a Stick. When we get caught in notions such as having and not having, we lose the fundamental vitality of life. What is it to live without such concerns, seemingly separating us from ourselves? /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/28786308

The Hidden Lamp: Get on and Go 11/08/2023

The Hidden Lamp: Get on and Go In this Teisho, given on September 6th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Get on and Go. Self-help, psychotherapy and spiritual practice all help us live happier lives, but how do we distinquigh the spiritual call from the normal pursuits of well-being. Allowing ourselves to die to the moment, when the bus comes, we get on and go. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/28555616

Mumonkan: Kicking Over the Pitcher 10/11/2023

Mumonkan: Kicking Over the Pitcher In this teisho, given on August 23rd, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 40: Kicking Over the Pitcher. What is spiritual practice that is deeply intimate with the world as it is? What is it to dance with this very life? /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/28287581

The Hidden Lamp: Ziyong's Last Teaching 09/26/2023

The Hidden Lamp: Ziyong's Last Teaching In this Teisho, given on July 5th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Ziyong's Last Teaching. In this moment, there is neither birth nor death, so how can there be Nirvana? These are the questions Ziyong asks her disciple as Ziyong lay on her own death bed. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/28152590

Genjo Roshi - Hekiganroku: "You Have Not Visited Rozan." 09/03/2023

Genjo Roshi - Hekiganroku: "You Have Not Visited Rozan." Genjo Marinello Roshi gave this Teisho during the Aug. 12, 2023, Zazenkai at No-Rank Zendo. This talk examines what makes a good teacher of Zen practice. Is it how many peaks you have climbed? /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/27929817

Mumonkan: Joshu Saw Through The Old Woman 08/31/2023

Mumonkan: Joshu Saw Through The Old Woman In this teisho, given during Chobo-ji's Summer sesshin on June 28th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 31: Joshu Saw Through The Old Woman. Our life is limited by conceptualizations and opinions. What is it to really see through? What is it to be deeply intimate? /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/27897786

Mumonkan: Well Known Ryutan 08/09/2023

Mumonkan: Well Known Ryutan In this teisho, given during Zazenkai on June 10th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 28: Well Known Ryutan. Though we tend to approach the world from an analyitical, rational, and scientific state of mind, this form of knowing and understanding is but like "a single strand of hair held up against the great sky." /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/27702639

The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Weeps 07/25/2023

The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Weeps In this Teisho, given on June 7th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Weeps. Opening to grief opens us to love. When the barriers to love are dropped, love can do what it is called to do: be open to and care for the hurting world. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/27566466

Mumonkan: Neither Mind nor Buddha 07/07/2023

Mumonkan: Neither Mind nor Buddha In this teisho, given on May 31st, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 27: Neither Mind nor Buddha. The mind wants to have something to hold on to. In the end, with full examination of what is, we find that there is nothing. So we are left with a profound sense of the power of the ineffable. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/27404439

Divine Abidings: Equanimity 06/14/2023

Divine Abidings: Equanimity In this teisho, given on April 12th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the second of the four Divine Abidings: Equanimity (upeksa). Each of the Divine Abidings asks us to take responsibility for how we are in the world. With equanimity, we are asked to create space within ourselves to let all things move and pass through niether clinging to nor rejecting anything. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/27147579

Divine Abidings: Sympathetic Joy 05/31/2023

Divine Abidings: Sympathetic Joy In this teisho, given on April 5th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the second of the four Divine Abidings: Sympathetic Joy (mudita). Each of the Divine Abidings asks us to take responsibility for how we are in the world. With sympathetic Joy, we join with the outflowing of the joyfully blossoming universe. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/26997117

Divine Abidings: Compassion 05/16/2023

Divine Abidings: Compassion In this teisho, given on March 22nd, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the second of the four Divine Abidings: Compassion (karuna). Each of the Divine Abidings asks us to take responsibility for how we are in the world. With compassion, we turn our minds toward holding that everything matters, caring deeply for all things, and taking responsibility for it. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/26855616

Divine Abidings: Loving Kindness 05/01/2023

Divine Abidings: Loving Kindness In this teisho, given on March 15th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the first of the four Divine Abidings: loving kindness (metta). Each of the Divine Abidings asks us to take responsibility for how we are in the world. With loving kindness, we are asked to be warm and tender. Though it may seem that this leaves us exposed and vulnerable, the true nature of this non-conditioned love is that nothing can hurt it, and when we can love in this way, we are truly free. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/26699478

The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Overthrows Hakuin 04/10/2023

The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Overthrows Hakuin In this Teisho, given on March 8th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Overthrows Hakuin. This teisho explores working with and utilizing koans (case examples). When koans are seen not simply as tools for helping us unpack ourselves but as the very expression of Dharma reality itself, we can dive more fully into the direct experience of koan, becoming intimate, connected and responsive. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/26496825

Mumonkan: Three Pounds of Flax 03/19/2023

Mumonkan: Three Pounds of Flax In this Teisho, given on March 1st, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines case number eighteen from the Mumonkan: "Three Pounds of Flax." Like a person facing their own death, when confronted with nothingness, the somethingness of life becomes brilliant and profound. Zen practice asks both that we engage the "nothing" and to open to the mysterious "something." We then thunk ourselves into life, taking responsibility for the gift of life, living it freely and fully. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/26272869

The Hidden Lamp: Senjo and Her Soul are Separated 03/05/2023

The Hidden Lamp: Senjo and Her Soul are Separated In this Teisho, given on January 11th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Senjo and Her Soul are Separated. When we deeply investigate ourselves, we will find not one, but many inner truths. Beneath those inner truths is a great "emptiness." But even this "emptiness" is not the fundamental truth. When the ocean waves are as true as the ocean depths, we have still to take responsibility for swimming. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/26131353

Tenth Precept: On Reverence 02/19/2023

Tenth Precept: On Reverence In this Teisho, given on Noivember 9th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Tenth and final Precept: "We will esteem the three treasures, the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha." Religion and spiritual practice asks us to put something larger than ourselves ahead of ourselves. We can do this by showing respect and reverence toward the treasures of our tradition. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/25978338

Ninth Precept: On Anger 02/12/2023

Ninth Precept: On Anger In this Teisho, given on Noivember 2nd, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Ninth Precept: "We will keep our mind at peace; we will not be directed by anger." Rather than suppressing anger, which leads to energetic congestion and a spiritual bypass, we must learn to create a realm of peace for it to exist in. We must then seeks its root which, ultimately, can lead to compassionate action. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/25903734

Eighth Precept: On Gratitude 02/06/2023

Eighth Precept: On Gratitude In this Teisho, given on October 12th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Eighth Precept: “We will be grateful for our lives; we will not covet or be directed by envy or jealousy.” There are many methods for cultivating a more grateful heart-mind, and all are good. However, it is when we learn how to dip into the deep and unconditional “This” that the most reliable gratitude opens up. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/25844277

Seventh Precept: On Humility 01/29/2023

Seventh Precept: On Humility In this Teisho, given on October 5th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Seventh Precept: "We will be humble; We will not exalt ourselves or judge others." Humility is the practice of seeing that we are all interconnected and that everyone, given their particular circumstances, is doing their best, even as we each need to take responsibility for doing better. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/25760709

Sixth Precept: On Silence and Speech 01/22/2023

Sixth Precept: On Silence and Speech In this Teisho, given on September 21st, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Sixth Precept: "We will remember that silence is precious; we will not gossip or engage in frivolous conversation." Our speech can promote peace or cause harm. In taking responsibility for our speech, we take responsibility for our way of being in the world. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/25690644

Fifth Precept: On Intoxicants 01/09/2023

Fifth Precept: On Intoxicants In this Teisho, given on September 7th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Fifth Precept: "We will exercise proper care of our body and mind; we will not be gluttonous or abuse intoxicants." It is essential, in taking responsibility for our lives, that we consider why it is that we use substances. Though it may seem that we use them to turn towards a certain experience, we can also see that it turns us away. True intimacy and freedom come from learning the pathways to the full landscape of our being, relying on nothing to get us there. /episode/index/show/norankzendo/id/25545519

The No-Rank Zendo Podcast

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