By Adam Tebbe This morning I was pointed to a website that has apparently been in existence since 2009, though it seems to have been updated quite a bit since that time. The website, ... Continue Reading »
By Ezra Bayda In the movie Groundhog Day, the main character wakes up every morning in the same exact place, at the same exact time, always having to repeat the same day—in this case, ... Continue Reading »
The following documentary was filmed in 1996 at Mt. Baldy Zen Center by French artist and filmmaker Armelle Brusq. Thanks to Dangerous Minds for pointing this out. Continue Reading »
Upon investigation, the truth is all around: how could it rely on practice and experience? The vehicle of the fundamental exists of itself, what is the point of trying? Alors que nous la recherchons, ... Continue Reading »
It’s a pleasure to introduce Koun Franz to you as a guest blogger. This is great fun for me because Koun is a fine, young priest and in my crystal ball, I see ... Continue Reading »
SPOT Intensive: July 08 to 29, 2012 In July, 2012, Shogaku Zen Institute will offer a three week residential Zen intensive practice period. The Intensive is for senior Zen practitioners and priests who are ... Continue Reading »
I find it very difficult to relate to Newt Gingrich. In fact I just don’t like him very much at all. So the idea of having compassion for him is extremely challenging since it’s ... Continue Reading »
Hey folks, You might've noticed the goal markers posted at the top of every page throughout the website lately. The goal represents the amount that I feel I can live on, independently, while maintaining ... Continue Reading »
This week, Japanese Lineages of Soto Zen celebrate the 811th BIRTHDAY OF MASTER DOGEN! YEA! YIPPEE! But in some ways, MASTER DOGEN IS VERY OLD AND OUT OF DATE! Oh, don't misunderstand! So many of Dogen's Teachings are FOR ALL TIMES ... Continue Reading »
“Caught in self-centered dream, only suffering; holding to self-centered thoughts exactly the dream.” These practice principles enable us to live the life we are, to chew-up the life we are. In the midst ... Continue Reading »
This question has been up again for me lately because of a couple opposing currents that I’ve noticed in the culture and my work world, namely careful process monitoring vs. the results only ... Continue Reading »
"For Zen Buddhism to flourish in modern society, its practice must not only be deeply informed by tradition, but must also develop forms which fully realize,express, and transmit the Dharma in lay practice. To ... Continue Reading »
By Adam Tebbe Dates tend to be pretty flexible when it comes to Zen celebrations here in the West. While today (January 19) marks the birthday of Dogen Zenji, founder of the Japanese Soto ... Continue Reading »
This piece first appeared in Buddhadharma News, a great resource for Buddhist news and information. Thanks to Buddhadharma for allowing Sweeping Zen to republish this piece! By Adam Tebbe [caption id="attachment_41894" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="SFZC entrance ... Continue Reading »
Trying to find a Buddha or enlightenment is like trying to grab space. Space has a name but no form. It’s not something you can pick up or put down. And you certainly ... Continue Reading »
As I turn seventy this year, I look back on my life with gratitude for having lived at the same time as some of the great and courageous men and women of history. ... Continue Reading »
My last post seemed to rile some folks up, as did the Old Monkey Mind in a related effort to be clear and gentle, it seems to me. James Ford is a much nicer person ... Continue Reading »
Dear Friends on the Zen Path, New Year’s Greetings, 2012 As we enter the 2012th year of the western calendar, which is also the Year of the Dragon in the East Asian cycle, we ... Continue Reading »
By Adam Tebbe It's hard to believe that a year has passed since we'd reported on the death of Darlene Surei Kenpo Cohen, the Zen teacher and author who helped many who suffered from ... Continue Reading »
In his most recent post at his Wild Fox blog, Zen teacher Dosho Port (truth in advertising, an old and dear friend) brings up the subject of teaching koans. And, with that, of ... Continue Reading »
Established in 2009 as a grassroots initiative, Sweeping Zen is a digital archive of information on Zen Buddhism. Featuring in-depth interviews, an extensive database of biographies, news, articles, podcasts, teacher blogs, events, directories and more, this site is dedicated to offering the public a range of views in the sphere of Zen Buddhist thought. We are also endeavoring to continue creating lineage charts for all Western Zen lines, doing our own small part in advancing historical documentation on this fabulous import of an ancient tradition. Come on in with a tea or coffee. You're always bound to find something new.