Vine of Obstacles Zen

Solo retreat

This Entire Ten-Direction World is the Eye of a Practitioner: A Photo Essay from Solo Retreat

"This entire ten-direction world is the original self’s radiant light."

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Koan

Speak Truth Now!

Vine of Obstacles Zen Featured

A Review of Vine Writings in 2024 and What's Ahead in 2025

This site is dedicated to depth writing about Zen practice for folks like you who aspire to go deeply into the Buddha Way.

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Platform Sutra

A Year-End Thank You: The Platform Sutra's "Pivotal Affinities" Chapter

Kensho

True Kensho: An Ordinary Person Wakes Up

To commemorate the Buddha Shakyamuni's awakening - a repost from early 2024 of a householder's famous awakening experience in about 1750 and his post kensho work with Hakuin and the nun, Esho.

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Platform Sutra

How Do Experienced Practitioners Slide By Kensho?

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Platform Sutra

One-Night Awakening is Verified by the Sixth Ancestor - and Goes

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Zen teaching Featured

On Not Serving a Sangha: A Reflection on Zen Teaching

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Zen politics

An Unexplainable Election Truth as Zen Practice

Platform Sutra

Dharma Ocean's Pivotal Affinity with the Sixth Ancestor: Studying the Platform Sutra

"When absorption and wisdom are maintained equally/Within consciousness all is pure and clear."

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Record of Going Easy

What Color is the Cool Breeze? Fayan's Substance and Name

Adverse effects of meditation Featured

404 Adverse Meditation Experiences

"If one is able to skillfully apply the mind, then the four hundred and four kinds of disorders will naturally be cured." - Zhiyi

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Homeleaving

The Spirit of Zen: Wrapping Ourselves in Buddha's Teaching

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Inka shomei Featured

Inka Shomei: The Ancient Practice of Face-to-Face Verification Today

Zhiyi

More Is Less: How To Shut Up And See Deeply

If you want to deeply delight in the buddhadharma, if you want to go beyond stages, break through mu, and practice wisdom-samadhi throughout the day, the first thing you gotta do is sit down and shut up.

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Record of Going Easy

Back from North Carolina - Sesshin and Helene

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Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts

The Precepts of Compassion Roar Like Thunder

Wandering Close to Home: A Year of Zen Reflections, Consolations, and Reveries

"Our essential choice is whether or not we align with what is already true."

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Translation

A Translator's Dream: With A Little Help from Earnestine

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Homeleaving

Forty Years a Zen Priest

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Record of Going Easy

Stars Shining Through a Hidden Meaning: On Taking the Teaching Seat

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Stopping

How to Shut Up and See Deeply

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Zen politics

A Dharma Talk: Politics and Dharma - My View and a Case History

Koan

What Is Zazen? Dōgen's Koan Realized

"It is the kōan realized."

Zazen

What Was Bodhidharma Really Doing? On The Importance of Breaking Through Walls

If we cling to walls about dharma practice, how can we break through?