The No-Rank Zendo Podcast

In this Teisho, given on April 7th, 2024, the third day of Chobo-ji's Spring Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 20 of the Hekiganroku: Ryuge asks Suibi and Rinzai. What is the meaning of life. From one perspective, we can find no meaning ... yet what is it that speaks to us of the profound meaning-fullness of life.

In this Teisho, given on March 25th, 2024, the third day of Chobo-ji's Spring Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case 18 of the Hekiganroku: Emperor Shukusō Asks About the Style of the Pagoda. In Zen, it is said that we must die to be free. What is it to die? What remains when we do die? What is it to let life spring forth from this great wellspring and to be seamless with all things?

In this Teisho, given on March 3rd, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 16 of the Hekiganroku: Kyosei's Instruction on Pecking and Tapping. Being present and leaning into the direct experience of life is pecking. The whole universe taps back, inviting us to wake up. If we stay vigilant and attentive, in the ripeness of time, the ego barrier will break open.  

In this Teisho, given on February 11th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 13 of the Hekiganroku: Haryo's "Snow in a Sliver Bowl." Koan introspection invites into a way of being that is always available but that we don't normally access. This way of being opens us up to a more meaningful relationship with the deep nature of things.

In this Teisho, given during No-Rank's Rohatsu sesshin on January 18th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 11 of the Hekiganroku: Obaku's Partakers of Brewer's Grain. Buddhism invites us to know the truth for ourselves. Whatever concepts we have about "truth" only get in the way of the direct experience of something beyond. The role of the so-called "Zen teacher" is not to show what is, but to help clear away the obstructions we have placed in front of ourselves. In this, we are all students to someting that cannot be taught.

In this Teisho, given during No-Rank's Rohatsu sesshin on January 17th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines case 10 of the Hekiganroku: Bokushus's "Empty Headed Fool." Our modern mind has lost much of its capactiy to feel into and relate to the world in ways that are deep and intimate. Koan study allows us to enter a different way of being and relating if only we are willing to step out of the shallows.

In this Teisho, given on January 14th, 2024, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Soma Rebukes Mara. In this first Teisho given at the new No-Rank Zen Temple, Rinzan Osho examiens the way the judging mindf, caught by right and wrong, like and dislike, limites the full blossoming of our lives.

In this Teisho, given on December 13th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: The Goddess' Transformations. When we look deeply, there is no foundation for our differences. At the same time, as we become intimate with the deep nature of things, we are more and more amazed and appreciative of the profundity of our living, breathing, uniqueness.

In this Teisho, given on November 1st, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Asan's Dewdrop. In the face of impermanence and the passing of our own lives, we are confronted with the imparative to let the light inside us shine forth, to give back to a world awaiting our full participation. 

In this teisho, given on October 11th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 44: Bashio and a Stick. When we get caught in notions such as having and not having, we lose the fundamental vitality of life. What is it to live without such concerns, seemingly separating us from ourselves?

In this Teisho, given on September 6th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Get on and Go. Self-help, psychotherapy and spiritual practice all help us live happier lives, but how do we distinquigh the spiritual call from the normal pursuits of well-being. Allowing ourselves to die to the moment, when the bus comes, we get on and go. 

In this teisho, given on August 23rd, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 40: Kicking Over the Pitcher. What is spiritual practice that is deeply intimate with the world as it is? What is it to dance with this very life?

In this Teisho, given on July 5th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Ziyong's Last Teaching. In this moment, there is neither birth nor death, so how can there be Nirvana? These are the questions Ziyong asks her disciple as Ziyong lay on her own death bed.

Genjo Marinello Roshi gave this Teisho during the Aug. 12, 2023, Zazenkai at No-Rank Zendo. This talk examines what makes a good teacher of Zen practice.  Is it how many peaks you have climbed?

In this teisho, given during Chobo-ji's Summer sesshin on June 28th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 31: Joshu Saw Through The Old Woman. Our life is limited by conceptualizations and opinions. What is it to really see through? What is it to be deeply intimate?

In this teisho, given during Zazenkai on June 10th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 28: Well Known Ryutan. Though we tend to approach the world from an analyitical, rational, and scientific state of mind, this form of knowing and understanding is but like "a single strand of hair held up against the great sky."

In this Teisho, given on June 7th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Weeps. Opening to grief opens us to love. When the barriers to love are dropped, love can do what it is called to do: be open to and care for the hurting world.

In this teisho, given on May 31st, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the Mumonkan Case 27: Neither Mind nor Buddha. The mind wants to have something to hold on to. In the end, with full examination of what is, we find that there is nothing. So we are left with a profound sense of the power of the ineffable.

In this teisho, given on April 12th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the second of the four Divine Abidings: Equanimity (upeksa). Each of the Divine Abidings asks us to take responsibility for how we are in the world. With equanimity, we are asked to create space within ourselves to let all things move and pass through niether clinging to nor rejecting anything.

In this teisho, given on April 5th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the second of the four Divine Abidings: Sympathetic Joy (mudita). Each of the Divine Abidings asks us to take responsibility for how we are in the world. With sympathetic Joy, we join with the outflowing of the joyfully blossoming universe.

In this teisho, given on March 22nd, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the second of the four Divine Abidings: Compassion (karuna). Each of the Divine Abidings asks us to take responsibility for how we are in the world. With compassion, we turn our minds toward holding that everything matters, caring deeply for all things, and taking responsibility for it.

In this teisho, given on March 15th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines the first of the four Divine Abidings: loving kindness (metta). Each of the Divine Abidings asks us to take responsibility for how we are in the world. With loving kindness, we are asked to be warm and tender. Though it may seem that this leaves us exposed and vulnerable, the true nature of this non-conditioned love is that nothing can hurt it, and when we can love in this way, we are truly free.

In this Teisho, given on March 8th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Satsujo Overthrows Hakuin. This teisho explores working with and utilizing koans (case examples). When koans are seen not simply as tools for helping us unpack ourselves but as the very expression of Dharma reality itself, we can dive more fully into the direct experience of koan, becoming intimate, connected and responsive.

In this Teisho, given on March 1st, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines case number eighteen from the Mumonkan: "Three Pounds of Flax." Like a person facing their own death, when confronted with nothingness, the somethingness of life becomes brilliant and profound. Zen practice asks both that we engage the "nothing" and to open to the mysterious "something." We then thunk ourselves into life, taking responsibility for the gift of life, living it freely and fully.

In this Teisho, given on January 11th, 2023, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Senjo and Her Soul are Separated. When we deeply investigate ourselves, we will find not one, but many inner truths. Beneath those inner truths is a great "emptiness." But even this "emptiness" is not the fundamental truth. When the ocean waves are as true as the ocean depths, we have still to take responsibility for swimming.

In this Teisho, given on Noivember 9th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Tenth and final Precept: "We will esteem the three treasures, the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha." Religion and spiritual practice asks us to put something larger than ourselves ahead of ourselves. We can do this by showing respect and reverence toward the treasures of our tradition. 

In this Teisho, given on Noivember 2nd, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Ninth Precept: "We will keep our mind at peace; we will not be directed by anger." Rather than suppressing anger, which leads to energetic congestion and a spiritual bypass, we must learn to create a realm of peace for it to exist in. We must then seeks its root which, ultimately, can lead to compassionate action. 

In this Teisho, given on October 12th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Eighth Precept: “We will be grateful for our lives; we will not covet or be directed by envy or jealousy.” There are many methods for cultivating a more grateful heart-mind, and all are good. However, it is when we learn how to dip into the deep and unconditional “This” that the most reliable gratitude opens up.

In this Teisho, given on October 5th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Seventh Precept: "We will be humble; We will not exalt ourselves or judge others." Humility is the practice of seeing that we are all interconnected and that everyone, given their particular circumstances, is doing their best, even as we each need to take responsibility for doing better.

In this Teisho, given on September 21st, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Sixth Precept: "We will remember that silence is precious; we will not gossip or engage in frivolous conversation." Our speech can promote peace or cause harm. In taking responsibility for our speech, we take responsibility for our way of being in the world.

In this Teisho, given on September 7th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Fifth Precept: "We will exercise proper care of our body and mind; we will not be gluttonous or abuse intoxicants." It is essential, in taking responsibility for our lives, that we consider why it is that we use substances. Though it may seem that we use them to turn towards a certain experience, we can also see that it turns us away. True intimacy and freedom come from learning the pathways to the full landscape of our being, relying on nothing to get us there.

In this Teisho, given on December 6th, 2022 at Chobo-ji's Rohatsu Sesshin, Rinzan Osho examines case number seven from the Mumonkan: Joshu Says, "Wash Your Bowls."  As spiritual practice asks that we set aside our preferences and ideals, it opens us to a shimmering reality that is asking us to care for it. The rigors of long retreat make us ripe for this actualization.

In this Teisho, given on August 31st, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Fourth Precept: "We will honor honesty and truth; we will not deceive." Though there are many layers to this precept, at its heart it asks us to explore our own inner life and to establish a clarity about it so that we can share our "truths" with the world. This is the outflowing of the mystery of life and an expression of our surrender to Tao.

In this Teisho, given on August 24th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Third Precept: "We will be conscious and loving in our relationships; we will not be ruled by lust." In working with the precept on sex, we learn to neither be ruled by lust or afraid of its power. 

In this Teisho, given on August 10th, 2022, Rinzan Osho continues his examination of the Ten Grave Precepts with Teisho on the Second Precept: "We will respect others’ property; we will not steal." All religions hold the value that one should not steal. In the Buddhist tradition, this precept can also be held as "not taking what is not freely given." Working deeply with this precept, we can learn the principles of restraint, sharing, sympathetic joy and of not needing to have.

In this Teisho, given on August 3rd, 2022, Rinzan Osho begins his examination of the Ten Grave Precept: We will be reverential and mindful with all life; we will not kill or be ruled by violence. In addition to exploring the perennial religious commitment not to kill, Rinzan explores what it means to follow a precept, how to take it on from a creative vital place of personal exploration and transformation. Rather than getting caught in right or wrong, he asks, "Who do we become, when we follow this precept with all our heart and soul." 

In this Teisho, given during August Zazenkai, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Yasodhara's Path. Gautama left his pregnant wife behind to pursue the spiritual path. While he journeyed down blind alleys, Yasodhara, his wife, stayed behind. Ultimately, Gautama learned what Yasodhara had known all along: the answer is here. Sit, let the moment gestate, and give birth to that which calls us forth and for which we must take responsibility.

In this teisho, given on the fifth full day of Summer Sesshin, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines the fifth of Tozan's Five Ranks: Unity Attained.

In this teisho, given on the fourth full day of Summer Sesshin, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines the fourth of Tozan's Five Ranks: The Arrival at Mutual Integration

In this Teisho, given on the third full day of Summer Sesshin, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines the third of Tozan's Five Ranks: The Coming from Within the Real.

In this Teisho, given on the second full day of Summer Sesshin, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines the second of Tozan's Five Ranks: The Real Within the Apparent.

In this Teisho, given on the first full day of Summer Sesshin, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines the first of Tozan's Five Ranks: The Apparent Within the Real.

In this Teisho, given on July 6th, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Dipa Ma's Fearless Daughters. In practicing Zen we learn mastery over the impulses of the body, mind and heart. What is it to live a fearless life? How can this fearlessness serve as a balm to ease the world?

In this Teisho, given on June 6th, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Shotaku's Paper Sword. The practice of Zen asks us to know the suffering of others. The misogyny inflicted upon women is something we mace face, confront and do our best to end. Accessing and opening to spiritual power will give us the strength of Shotaku who used her own spiritual strength to back down a sexual assailant.

In this Teisho, given on May 25th, 2022, Rinzan Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 94: The Surangama Sutra and "Unseeing." Our practice takes us beyond holding onto notions. As soon as we believe we have figured something out, we have made it into something. How does one see the unseen? How does one live it? If we believe we know what peace is, we have lost it. So how do we know peace? And how do we bring peace into a world with such things as school shootings and ecological collapse? 

In this Teisho, given on Feb. 27th, 2022, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 82: Tairyu's "Indestructible Dharma Body." Facing the fundamental religious question, "What is it when all things die?" we are compelled to face a power greater than ourselves and that, indeed, is our very selves.

In this Teisho, given on Jan. 30th, 2022, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 80: Joshu's "A Newborn Baby." What is it when the artifice of the ego frame falls away? How do we see the world? How is it to be in the world as the universe? 

Genjo Roshi gave the following Teisho on March 12th, 2022, during No-Rank Zendo's Zazenkai: Case 35 from the Mumonkan, "Senjo and Her Soul Are Separated." We are a multiplicity, will the real you please stand up?

Rinzan Osho gave the following Teisho on January 12th, 2022, on day 5 of No-Rank Zendo's Rohatsu Sesshin examining Case 76 of the Hekiganroku: "Tanka's 'Have You Had Your Dinner?'" We work at removing the ego membrane that compels a sense of separateness from the world. Practice brings us closer into intimacy with the great mystery and unknowblae it. 

Rinzan Osho gave the following Teisho on January 11th, 2022, on day 4 of No-Rank Zendo's Rohatsu Sesshin examining The Hidden Lamp: "Zhaozhou and the Old Woman’s Obstacle." We want to move past hardships, but it is our very hardships that open us up to the wonder of all things and our heart of caring for others.

Rinzan Osho gave the following Teisho on January 10th, 2022, on day 3 of No-Rank Zendo's Rohatsu Sesshin examining Case 75 of the Hekiganroku: "Ukyu's Unfair Blows." The relationship between host and guest exists everywhere. While the teacher is the "host" to a "student," we are all guests on this earth. What is the proper comportment of a host and guest? What is it when host truly meets host?

In this Rohatsu Sesshin Teisho, given at Chobo-ji on Dec. 7th, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines the Hekiganroku Case 70: Isan's "I Would Ask You to Say It." When asked by the master to say "It" without moving his lips or mouth, Isan replied fully. What is it to be intimate? What is it listen, to share, to commune? What is it to hear the mountain and moon speak?

In Autumn Sesshin's Closing Teisho, given on Oct. 8th, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines The Mumonkan Case 19: "Ordinary Mind is Tao." We have spent a week in deep practice doing far from what we would "ordinarily" do. So what does Nansen mean when he says, "Ordinary Mind is Tao?" Though often obscured by the busyness of life and our habit-mind propensity to distraction, just this vast everyday mind is the inexplicable it. It is hard to see without training. With training, the everyday is revealed to be extra-ordinarily special.

In Autumn Sesshin's Day Six Teisho, given on Oct. 7th, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines The Hekiganroku case 65, "A Non-Buddhist Philosopher Questions the Buddha." What lies beyond speaking and not speaking? The Buddha answered with silence. Was this ordinary silence? The philosopher was gratified. Why? What did the Buddha Share? Can each of us offer the same not only in response to a question about spiritual life but as a balm to the suffering world?

In Autumn Sesshin's Day Five Teisho, given on Oct. 6th, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines The Hekiganroku, Ummon's "One Treasure." Hidden in the mountain of form is one treasure. How do we know it? How do we testify to it?

In Autumn Sesshin's Day Four Teisho, given on Oct. 5th, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines The Hidden Lamp, "Nyozen's Pale Moon of Dawn." We try desperately to hold the strands of our life -- and our identity -- together. What happens when the bottom falls out?

In Autumn Sesshin's Day Three Teisho, given on Oct. 4th, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines The Hekiganroku, Case 61, "Fuketsu's One Particle of Dust." The practice of Zen is the practice of bursting through barriers. The path to realization is difficult. Our own mind can often confound us. What is it to "die" on the cushion, and then to truly come alive?

In Autumn Sesshin's Day Two Teisho, given on Oct. 3rd, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines The Hekiganroku, Case 60, "Ummon's Staff Becoming a Dragon." Our practice invites us to become intimate with all things. Our concept of "intimacy" might invoke certain notions about what this might feel like, but true intimacy allows even this to be swallowed up. When we are so intimate that we allow ourselves to really go beyond, then what?

In Autumn Sesshin's Day One Teisho, given on Oct. 2nd, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines The Hekiganroku, Cases 57-59, all of which examine Sosan's Verses of Faith Mind. "The Great Way is not difficult, it only abhors choice and attachment." Choice and attachment are natural, inevitable and necessary aspects of living in the world, and yet when we are caught by them, the fundamental Tao is occluded. How does one live this free from choice and attachment? Joshu responds three times to three monks' inquiries.

In Autumn Sesshin's opening Teisho, given on Oct. 1st, 2021, Rinzan Osho examines The Mumonkan, Case 1: "Joshu's No." Traditionally maintained as the Sino-Japanese "Mu" (Chinese "Wu"), Rinzan invites us to work with "No" to wipe away conceptualizations, clinging, preoccupations ... all with a wondering mind. "If not this, then what?"

In this Teisho, given on Sept. 12th, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 55: Dogo's "I Would Not Tell You." In Zen (as in any true spiritual tradition), we are asked to see into the Great Matter of life and death for ourselves directly. Answers from those who have gone before will not satisfy our spiritual hunger. How is it that one might penetrate the great mystery for themselves? 

In this Teisho, given on Sept. 11th, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 54: "Ummon Stretches Out His Hands." The path of Zen is the path of intimacy. What is it to be intimate with all things, beyond conception of what is and is not intimacy?

In this Teisho, given on September 5th, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: "Jiaoan's Sand in the Eye." All spiritual religious practice asks that we invest ourselves deeply into something larger than ourselves. In Zen training, we utilize the traditional forms to help shift the small-thinking mind out of the way to open to a great not-knowing This is a forever process, realizing there is nothing to finally understand. Through it we realize the direct and simple functioning "not knowing."

In this Teisho, given on August 1st, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Hidden Lamp: Jiyu Kennett's "Not Bigger, Not Smaller." This teisho was given just as the impact of the COVID-19 Delta variant was becoming well known. In the face of this as well as other hardships, how do we think of "enlightenment?" Do we think it is something we can attain, something that we can have more or less of. As Jiyu Kennett says, "It is not something you have; it is something you are, something you do." 

In this Teisho, given on July 25th, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 50: Ummon's "Particle after Particle's Samdhi." We utilize Zen training to develop our ability to be intimate and present with all that is. From a position such as this, what is it and how do we greet this moment now ... now ... now ...

In this Teisho, given on July 10th, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 47: Ummon's "Beyond the Six." What is the true nature of reality? How do we find our place in the mystery of being? Though frames of reference can be helpful, the truth is ultimately ... beyond, beyond, beyond ...

In this Teisho, given on June 12, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 40: Nansen's "This Flower." After the pandemic compelled practice and relationships to rely on video conferencing, in this first in person Teisho in over a year, Rinzan examines what it is to be most intimate, to live as in a dream and to wake up to the great reality sitting right in front of us. What is it to really see "this flower" not as a dream?

In this Teisho, given on May 23, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 38: "Fuketsu and the Dharma Seal of the Patriarch." What is it to hold fast? What is it to let go? When all directions are barred, what direction does one go? The life without barriers moves beyond vexations to true freedom. 

In this Teisho, given on May 9, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines a case from The Hidden Lamp: Stories from 25 Centuries of Awakened Women "The Flower Hall on Buddha's Birthday." What is it to be born and to die? What is it to live a life of no-birth and no-death? All we have is this eternal moment. So how do we respond to its call to be cared for? We "decorate" the Buddha revealed in all things and at all times. 

In this Teisho, given on April 11, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 32: "Jo Joza Stands Still." In Zen, we engage in a great investigation. This is not an intellectual exercise but a full bodied immersion into the wonder and mystery of all things. When opened up to it ... then what?

In this Teisho, given on March 31, Day 5 of the Spring 2021 Cloud Retreat, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines The Blue Cliff Record, Case 29: Daizui's "It Will be Gone." What is it when all is let go and there is no trace of clinging or conceptualization? Shakyamuni had one teaching, that of absolute freedom.

In this Teisho, given on February 28, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines "The Blue Cliff Record, Case 23: Hofuku Point to Mount Myohocho." The root of our discipline is to open to a mind of wonder. When we conceptualize, this mind closes. "Alas!"

In this Teisho, given on February 7, 2021, Rinzan Pechovnik Osho examines "The Hidden Lamp: The Woman Lets It Be." The mantra "Let it be" could be the whole of one's life practice. What happens when we truly and deeply just "let it be?" Is there anything left out? Does it absolve us from responsibility to act?