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Bright Way Zen: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Rev. Domyo Burk
Bright Way Zen is a Zen community in Portland OR, USA, and worldwide via our "Cloud Zendo" (Zoom). This podcast includes talks and classes by our teacher, Rev. Domyo Burk, Sangha members, and others.
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- 4 days ago36 min
Sejiki Ceremony 2026
Sejiki is our annual Soto Zen "Festival of the Hungry Ghosts." Mythologically, "hungry ghosts" are beings who have been reborn after death in a hungry ghost realm because of their past stingy, selfish, or grasping actions. We summon the hungry ghosts with a loud "quatz". Our chanting invites the ghosts to come and partake of all the delicious treats on the altar, and then we send them on their way again. Traditionally, Sejiki is also a time to remember people who have recently passed away, praying that the recently deceased have peace and are not in the hungry ghost realm.
- 4 days ago56 min
Sangha Q and A - Domyo
Every so often, our teacher opens the floor to answer questions from Sangha. We began with a guided meditation, then allowed whatever question or subject that arose to reflect upon and discuss. Today's topics included: What would it feel like to be a Buddha?, the tension between detachment and non-separation, the weight of regret, the three bodies of Buddha, and when memories and emotions arise during Zazen.
- 1 weeks ago59 min
Our Bright Way Zen Lineage - Week 9
Vow and Paths of Practice & the Equality of Lay and Ordained: From the beginning, Buddhism has included both lay (or householder) and ordained/monastic practitioners. Each path is very different, but in our lineage both paths are regarded as completely legitimate ones if you wish to accomplish the Buddha Way. We will talk about the tension created by the existence of multiple paths of vow, but also the benefits.
- 1 weeks ago52 min
Do You Have to Abandon Worldly Entanglements? - Domyo
At our annual Continuous Practice retreats, we study excerpts from Dogen's Gyoji, which includes a section that seems to suggest that we abandon all worldly entanglements...but is this what is expected of us all? Through formal practices, we can, either short term or long term, choose to become monks of body who enact literal renunciation. However, we also can continuously enact internal renunciation by being monks of mind, without leaving home. To be involved in our lives on the dusty householder path isn't easy, but it is just as valuable a choice to make.
- 2 weeks ago52 min
Our Brightway Zen Lineage - Week 8 - The Transmission of the Dharma
Authentic transmission of the Dharma through the generations requires teachers – lay or ordained – who have verified the truth through their own direct experience, and have demonstrated to their teacher that they embody the training through time and proximity. You can't learn the essential matter of Zen from books, or even from wise peers. What is this about?
- 2 weeks ago51 min
How Many Zens, Again? - Anjo
Using Tang-era Chan master Guifeng Zongmi's "Five Zens" framework, Anjo explores our relationship with zazen and the way it can change over time.
- 3 weeks ago53 min
The Importance of Sesshin - Guzan and Jinryu
In this recording, Sangha holders Guzan and Jinryu discuss the important role of Sesshin in our Zen practice and invite fellow sangha members to speak to their experiences in Sesshin.
- 3 weeks ago52 min
Forgiveness - Domyo
The Buddha knew it can be very difficult to forgive others, but taught that it could be done. Domyo offers that forgiveness begins with willingness, and has nothing to do with the other person. It is ultimately, simply letting go - but, to find our way there, we may need to get creative. We can turn to the teachings, as well as reflect on our own experience, for ideas as to what works best for each of us.
About Bright Way Zen
Bright Way Zen is a Zen community in Portland OR, USA, and worldwide via our "Cloud Zendo" (Zoom). This podcast includes talks and classes by our teacher, Rev. Domyo Burk, Sangha members, and others.
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