Beyond Words — a talk by Leland Shields (November 9, 2025)
Beyond Words Leland Shields, November 9, 2025 I’ll begin with the first part of verse 14 of the Taoteching, translated by Red Pine. We look but don’t see it and call it indistinct we listen but don’t hear it and call [it] faint we reach but don’t grasp it and call it ethereal three failed means to knowledge I weave into one … Lao Tzu. Lao-tzu’s Taoteching: With Selected Commentaries from the Past 2,000 Years (p. 28). Copper Canyon Press. Kindle Edition. There is an inherent challenge in a Zen talk for the writer, the presenter and the listener. The words are what’s most apparent...
Read MoreZenkai (December 13, 2026) with Lee and Madelon – In Person and Zoom
Hear What You Hear Instead of a dharma talk this Zenkai, we invite attendees to offer a piece of music or an excerpt for all in the dojo, even if no one is left to hear it. To give everyone time to have their music played, please pick an excerpt or something that is 3 minutes or less. No need to have any comments prepared to describe your piece; in the morning schedule we will let the music speak for itself. Feel free to include a second piece as well in case there is time for more than one. You can send your music to Lee as a digital file ahead of time, or give the information to...
Read MoreZenkai (November 8, 2026) with Carlos – In Person and Zoom
Three Treasures Sangha will hold this event in-person at our Dharma Gate facility and live by Zoom. Registration information (for in-person) and current Covid-19 Guidelines are posted below the schedule. Guidelines are likely to change before the event, so check again as the date gets closer. Carlos Abusaid Elias, our friend and a Diamond Sangha teacher, has graciously agreed to give teisho (dharma talk) for this zenkai. Hearing from someone less familiar to us is a chance to recognize the dharma in another voice, illuminating the ancient way through different language. Please join us for...
Read MoreThe Dragon King’s Daughter Pays Homage to the Buddha – a Talk by Carlos Abusaid Elias (October 12, 2025)
The master instructed the assembly saying, “The Dragon King’s daughter paid her personal homage to the Buddha from her heart. It was a completely natural act.” A monk asked, “If it was natural, why was there any ‘paying homage’?” The master said, “If there was no paying homage, how could it be natural?” Note: The full text transcript will be posted soon Listen to the talk
Read MoreTalks from the September, 2025 Sesshin
Talk 1 – “No Body” Breaks a Toe – by Leland Shields Read the transcript Listen to the talk Talk 2 – Buddha-nature – by Madelon Bolling Read the transcript Talk 3 – Nothing in The World – by Leland Shields Read the transcript Listen to the talk Talk 4 – How is Buddhism Being Maintained Here? – by Leland Shields Read the transcript Listen to the Talk Talk 5 – Roaming the Mountains, Blue Cliff Record 36 – by Leland Shields Read the transcript Listen to the talk Talk 6 – The Way...
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