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.”

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

A Thursday Night Meander

Seido touches on a number of current happenings in the zendo and how they relate to precept practice including the recent installation of...

Jan 27, 2023

Precepts As Path

Seido talks about the way the bodhisattva precepts are firmly rooted in The Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths include recognition...

Jan 13, 2023

Bodhisattva Precept Class: Three Pure Precepts

Senior Zen West students Seiryu and Jukan talk about the Three Pure Precepts – to cease from harm, do good and do good for others. They...

Mar 9, 2022

Bodhisattva Precept Class: On Sexuality & Intoxication

Senior students Josu and Seiryu unfold the precepts on “not misusing sexuality” and “not becoming intoxicated.” The affirmative vow for...

Mar 1, 2022

Bodhisattva Precepts: Not Indulging Anger

Seido talks about the 9th grave precept on not indulging anger, but instead to cultivate equanimity. She covers various karmic blocks we...

Feb 22, 2022

Bodhisattva Precepts: To Do Something By Ourselves

In this precept class, Senkei and Seido explore the meaning of the 10th Grave Precept – Do Not Defame the Three Treasures of Buddha,...

Feb 18, 2022

Bodhisattva Precept Class: Do Not Kill – Cultivate and Encourage Life

This is one of the most important precepts that ask us to look into the nature of birth and death. It is the first of the ten grave...

Feb 11, 2022

Zazenkai: A Brilliant Sea of Clouds

This dharma talk comes out of a day long retreat called “Zazenkai” turning attention to the precepts by resting the mind in zazen. Seido...

Feb 11, 2022

Bodhisattva Precepts: Not Blaming or Dwelling on Faults

Senior students Josu and Seiryu explore the precepts against praising self, blaming others and dwelling on past mistakes. Talk includes...

Feb 3, 2022

Bodhisattva Precept Class: Not Speaking Dishonestly

Seido talks about the precept “Do Not Speak Dishonestly – Communicate Truthfully.” Talks on precepts include four lenses – the absolute...

Jan 28, 2022

Bodhisattva Precept Class: Introduction

In this first class of 2022, Seido talks about the centrality of the precepts in practice, the bodhisattva vow, and a number of ways we...

Jan 13, 2022