Dharma talks

There are also links to many Dharma talks  to be found on the Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey website http://throssel.org.uk/dharma-talks/

Rev. Berwyn’s talk for the group meeting on the 22nd March 2012, is available to download here: Berwyn 22 March 2012 group evening talk.

It’s a short introduction (19 minutes) to our tradition based loosely on Keido Chisan’s Soto Zen Book.

Below is a rough synopsis:

Soto Zen has a particular flavour: emphasis on meditation – ‘zen’ from meditation
Meditation is the practice of Buddha, so it is not a means to an end: but it is the end of suffering
It is ‘post-enlightenment’ practice as Keido Chisan put it.
An expression of what fundamentally IS.
In relation to the problem of suffering of dukkha.
The cause of suffering is craving, or grasping. But if we seek to avoid suffering we increase suffering: like compulsively scratching an itch.
So zazen is the radical complete facing up to and acceptance of suffering: and in that very act comes the end of suffering. The realisation that in the precise moment and place: there is no suffering and no way to the end of suffering.
This is because zazen is the radical act of just being there with whatever IS, without any judgement whatsover. A sense of beginners mind : not knowing anything.