Mountain Rain Zen Dharma Podcast

Continuing the exploration of Samantabhadra's Ten Vows, Shinmon Michael Newton reminds us to never give up on ourselves, and to dedicate the merit we accrue towards the good of all beings.

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Daikan John Green, the MRZC practice period 2024 shuso, shares thoughts on tea-service, interdependence, and on Indra's Net as a manifestation of ceaseless arising and passing away. 

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Myoshin Kate McCandless describes how even with our little internal monsters - with our backsliding, distraction, and confusion - if we look at ourselves with clear eyes, it is possible to recognize …

With an invitation to enter the moment and be open to things of beauty, Shinmon Michael Newton explores the nature of vow as something that is practiced, never completed.  

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Myoshin Kate McCandless describes doors of liberation, talks about the weather, and invites trust in the buddha-body of sangha during sesshin.

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Shinmon Michael Newton opens Rohatsu sesshin with an introduction of Samantabhadra's Ten Vows and an exploration of bowing practice.

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We all, at some point in life, become aware of a longing that is not satisfied by any material thing or distraction or accomplishment. Shinmon Michael Newton explores the Avatamsaka Sutra’s list of 1…

Myoshin Kate McCandless shares more of Sudhana’s pilgrimage, the companions he meets along the way, including people, animals, and plants. Each has teaching to offer, not always easy to receive.  All…

Shinmon Michael Newton explores chapter 11 of the Avatamsaka Sutra, in which there are 140 verses encouraging mindfulness in daily life.

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Shinmon Michael Newton explores how the skillful use of imagination can help us open to our Buddha nature.

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These talks are made possible t…

Daikan John Green offers images and metaphors for the infinite interconnections and feedback loops of Indra’s Net such as quantum entanglement or the root structure of a redwood tree. How can we prac…

How do we take in and then process the traumas of war, have our hearts broken over and over again, while abiding in the two truths, of relative and absolute? Myoshin Kate McCandless explores practice…

Daikan John Green helps peel back layers from Book 16 and 20 of the Avatamsaka Sutra, revealing that Mind is like an artist able to paint the world…

"If people want to really know/ All Buddhas of all …

Myoshin Kate McCandless continues the exploration of Sudhana's story as he encounters a series of nine night goddesses. How can we open to, and be with, the fruitful and generative darkness?

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Shinmon Michael Newton explores Chapter 17 of the Avatamsaka Sutra, which focuses on boddhicitta - the way-seeking mind that is awakening for the benefit of all. How do we relax the tight self-center…

Daikan John Green gives a talk about the ten dedications of merit or ten transfers of merit and offers the practice of rapid sutra recitation.

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Daikan John Green, our Practice Period shuso, presents two questions posed by the bodhisattva Manjushri, regarding how to bring the teachings of Indra's Net into everyday life.

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Myoshin Kate McCandless discusses meetings with teachers on the Path of awakening. Sometimes those meetings are pivotal, sometimes disappointing, and sometimes we don't even recognize or appreciate t…

Myoshin Kate McCandless  explores "worlds within worlds", the ways our mutual well-being depends on the complex interconnection of relationships within Indra's net, drawing on the Avatamsaka Sutra an…

Shinmon Michael Newton introduces Samantabhadra, one of the archetypical boddhisatvas and a teacher of many practices for realizing inter-being, including the ten qualities of mind. 

 

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