"The Fourth Skandha"

In the midst of Rodin's "The Gates of Hell" sits "The Thinker." And from a Zen perspective, what could be more appropriate? We can think about our thoughts, think about thinking about the thoughts, think about the thinker that's thinking the thoughts...or avoid the rabbit hole and be mindful of our thoughts, notice whether they're wholesome or unwholesome, then let them pass without "inviting them in for tea." If we're acting according to our Original Face before thought is Buddha. Robert Koho Epstein gives the Dharma talk at One Mind Zen on October 19, 2022.

"Reward & Praise"

The Eight Worldly Concerns in Buddhism are hope for pleasure and fear of pain, hope for gain and fear of loss, hope for praise and fear of blame, and hope for good reputation and fear of bad reputation. All are hindrances, and all hinder our practice, and not worth more than what's in a litter box. Kevin Hae Seong Sheridan gives us the talk on October 12, 2022.

"So What's With This Merit Thing?"

Bodhidharma tells Emperor Wu Di that his actions have no merit. And the Diamond Sutra refers to merit numerous times: “Subhuti, we can summarize by saying that the merit and virtue of this Sutra is inconceivable, incalculable and boundless. The Buddha has declared this teaching for the benefit of initiates on the path to Enlightenment; he has declared it for the benefit of initiates on the path to Nirvana. If there is someone capable of receiving, practicing, reciting, and sharing this Sutra with others, the Buddha will see and know that person, and he or she will receive immeasurable, incalculable, and boundless merit and virtue."

The Buddha also says, “Subhūti, if this merit were real, the Tathāgata would not say that there was attainment of great merit. It is because this merit is no-merit, that the Tathāgata says that the merit is great.” Dedicating merit to gain praise gains no merit. But we dedicate merit in order to get out of the mindset of "I, me, mine" for the benefit of all beings. Myeong Jin Eunsahn gives the Dharma talk October 5, 2022.