In this series, the teachers of Chosei Zen will bring to life through their own experience the important Zen and Buddhist texts in our lineage. This month, Andy Seizan Robins Roshi will present Teachings of Bodhidharma.

Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, has been magnified to the scale of myth, turning history into the stuff of legend. The fifth-century Indian Buddhist monk is credited with bringing Zen to China, although the tradition that traces its ancestry back to him did not flourish until nearly two hundred years after his death. This talk examines how his teaching shaped Buddhism and why he became the First Patriarch of Zen.

The public is welcome to join. No prereading is required, but you may find the talk even livelier if you read the text ahead of time, which can be found here. Priests-in-training are expected to do their assigned prereading, attend the public talk, and be prepared to discuss its significance to their training in a subsequently scheduled meeting

These talks will occur on the 2nd Sunday of even-numbered months at 1-2:30 pm CT (8-9:30 pm CET). You can register here and use the same link to join this and future Fresh Talks.

Events through Chosei Zen are donation-based and open to all regardless of ability to pay. All donations are very much appreciated and help keep our dojos running. You can donate here.