Hardcore Zen

Did Dogen Believe in Reincarnation and Does It Matter If He Did?

Lots of people ask what Zen teaches about life after death. Here is my really long answer!

Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas Part Six

The explosive conclusion of my series of commentaries on Dogen's essay Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas!

Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas Part Five

What do Buddhists do when they have a "bad hair day"? Here is Zen Master Dogen's answer! Plus an explanation of the universe as it really is.

Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas Part Four

Part Four (4! Count 'em!) of my commentary on Dogen's essay Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas. In this one I say some weird stuff about astrology and astronomy.

Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas Part Three

Part Three of my translation and commentary on Dogen's essay Yui Butsu Yo Butsu, aka Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas.

Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas Part Two

Part two of my paraphrase and commentary on Dogen's essay Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas.

Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas Part One

My paraphrase of Dogen's essay "Buddhas Alone Together With Buddhas" in the style of the Dogen paraphrases I did for my books Don't Be a Jerk and It Came From Beyond Zen.

Buddhist Ordinations and Institutions

Here's a talk I gave in Lammi, Finland in 2019 on the subject of Buddhist ordination and Buddhist institutions. 

One Bright Pearl in Finland

Here's a talk I gave on September 3, 2021 in Lammi, Finland while on my recent European tour. The subject is a koan called One Bright Pearl as well as the teachings of Zen Master Huangpo, who is also known as Obaku. 

Hyakujo‘s Fox Part Three

The thrilling conclusion of my three-part talk about Hyakujo's Fox at Benediktushof Retreat Center in Germany in September, 2021. The Q&A gets a little funny in this one, but it's sort of interesting too.