Dharma Talks

Debra Seido Martin is Zen West's Guiding Teacher. She was transmitted in 2009 by Kyogen Carlson, late Abbott of Dharma Rain Zen Center. Seido is an organic farmer and psychotherapist devoted to the wild and giving space of practice and grace of the land. She carries forward her teacher’s directive to “ordain into your life.”

Liturgy: The Fundamental Point

Seido introduces Genjo Koan, Dogen's seminal piece translated as "Actualizing the Fundamental Point" and the most quoted lines "studying...

Feb 6

Precepts: Respect the Buddha, Unfold the Dharma, Nourish the Sangha

Seido talks about the 10th Grave Precept that returns the precept study back to the three treasures of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The...

Feb 3

Liturgy: Instructions for Zazen

Seido reflects on the previous week's Shuso Hossen ceremony using Dogen's line that "zazen is not meditation practice." She talks about...

Jan 30

Liturgy: Heart of the Matter

What does the Heart Sutra mean with all of those "No's"? Talk includes background on the Heart Sutra and the change in consciousness it...

Jan 16

Liturgy: Atonement

Seido talks about the Atonement verse, the burden of karma and tells a story Kyogen was fond of called "Beyond the Pale of Vengeance."...

Jan 9

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