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.”

Koan Summer: Tokusan’s Last Word

Our bowls are a deep teaching. They are the bowls of receptivity, of accepting whatever is coming, moment after moment after moment—bitter, sweet, salty, sour—yes, yes, yes and yes. In this koan (Mumonkon Case 13 and Book of Serenity Case 55), a student publicly chides his master for prematurely appearing for the meal. The master receives his student’s correction without complaint, turning and taking his empty bowls back to his room. A beautiful teaching of acceptance. Yet th

Aug 13