Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchBy the merit of a single sitting, they destroy innumerable sins. (Hakuin) Jun 5, 1983
Season 2 Episode 53
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of a teacher’s interaction with his student, Hakuin, who became the founder of Rinzai. From Hakuin’s …
2 years ago
There are plenty of Buddha statues sitting still. But have you ever seen a Zen master sitting still? Mind vs action. May 29, 1983
Season 2 Episode 52
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, asks: What are you searching for? Do you know it is your ego that is doing the searching? You see plenty of Buddha stat…
2 years ago
The tale of the thief who robs Shichiri Kojun who was busy reciting sutras. Don’t fight the darkness—light a candle. May 22, 1983
Season 2 Episode 51
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses judging others, the interdependence of the universe. Indra’s net — the mirror mind, and how every one of us r…
2 years, 1 month ago
Human beings are stuck in an in-between state—not unconscious and we’re not completely conscious. May 15, 1983
Season 1 Episode 50
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that we are in an in-between state. We’re not unconscious and we’re not completely conscious. We are objective…
2 years, 1 month ago
When we meditate and watch our breath, we are playing an iron flute with no holes. Apr 24, 1983
Season 1 Episode 49
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of Kakua, the first Japanese man to study Zen in China. After returning to Japan the emperor asked hi…
2 years, 1 month ago
Without speaking and without silence, how can you express the Truth? Apr 10, 1983
Season 1 Episode 48
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the monk who asks Fuketsu “Without speaking and without silence, how can you express the Truth?” His answer: "…
2 years, 1 month ago
Being truly alive should be an adventure into the unknown. Apr 3, 1983
Season 1 Episode 47
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, describes how humankind repeats the same old pattern. We do not want our dream disturbed.We live in the known, afraid o…
2 years, 2 months ago
We identify with everything but ourselves. Possessions, emotions, thoughts. But not our true selves. What is true silence? Mar 12, 1983
Season 1 Episode 46
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of the student who visits a teacher, whose only answer to his questions is to sweep fallen leaves. Al…
2 years, 2 months ago
Chuang Tzu and appreciating the useless in the world. Mar 6, 1983
Season 1 Episode 45
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how existence renders actual . Non-existence renders useful. It is not the walls, but the seemingly non-actual…
2 years, 2 months ago
The intellect cannot penetrate consciousness. When you drop thoughts, consciousness is present. When you drop the pseudo self, the True Self is present. July 12, 1981
Season 1 Episode 44
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that when we are born we emerge from a mysterious life source, and when we die we return to that source. And n…
2 years, 2 months ago