Library of Talks & Interviews
by Enkyo Roshi
“Why Zen?” Village Zendo, September 8, 2024 (26:36 min)
A dharma talk in which Roshi Enkyo asks why do we take up the practice of Zen, and what changes for us when we do? Isn’t it a recognition of our own heart, our own wholeness? In fact, our practice is a kind of medicine, as told in the old story of Sudhana picking up a blade of grass and recognizing the power of our rather simple practice.
“Japanese Aesthetics,” with Mitsue Nagase, Village Zendo,
July 14, 2024 (26:35 min)
A dharma talk in which Enkyo Roshi introduces Mitsue Nagase’s and Kaz Tanahashi’s extraordinary book, “Gardens of Awakening” – a book that introduces through words and images, the essence of Japanese Zen Aesthetics, as expressed in eminent gardens of Japan. Roshi also talks about “Kintsugi” – the practice of repair of ceramics, using gold to fill in the broken areas, thus enhancing the artwork. She encourages us to seek our own repair with the value of gold. Then, Mitsue speaks of her experience photographing zen gardens for her book during the covid pandemic. She describes how she worked with the gardens intimately to highlight their profound teachings in her artwork.
“Showing Up to What Is Here, Now,” Village Zendo,
June 23, 2024 (27:05 min)
A dharma talk in which Enkyo Roshi offers thoughts on Dogen’s well-known “Genjokoan.” Using her translation as “The Koan of Showing Up,” she engages the challenge of facing life as it is: the politics, the personal challenge of aging, and the needs of the world, today.
“Pick up the Sack!” Village Zendo, May 12 2024 (25:13 min)
A dharma talk in which Enkyo Roshi talks about how Zazen is the heart of our practice, and supports us in our lives and our service to others. When we realize this, we follow Hotei’s suggestion, and we pick up the sack and do the work.
“Zen Activist Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara,” Lo-Down Culture Cast,
March 25, 2024 (25:31 min)
Interview with Traven Fusho Rice, talking about Roshi Enkyo’s beginnings in Zen, her academic work in media ecology, her activism during the AIDS crisis, and her founding of the Village Zendo.
“The Pillar,” Village Zendo, October 22, 2023. 23:45
A Dharma talk in which Enkyo Roshi describes the pillar that sits in the middle of our Village Zendo space - and asks if it is a support or an obstruction? How do we all experience the pillars as they arise in our world, in our lives? How might they serve us?
“Dogen's Uji,” Village Zendo, March 23, 2024 (30:22 min)
Uji, Dogen’s study of time in our lives, offers us reminders of the flow of life, from birth to death. Zen teachers, like YunMen, directly engage how to meet death. In her talk, Enkyo Roshi engages a koan of YunMen’s to encourage us to appreciate each moment of our lives.
“A Bodhisattva’s Being Time Right Now,” Village Zendo,
January 17, 2021. (26:47 min)
Roshi explores the intersection of the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., of Dogen’s Uji, and the Bodhisattva Vow.
“Awakening Beings: Intimacy and the Bodhisattva,” Buddhist Contemplative Care Symposium, Garrison Institute, November, 2012 (22:31 min)
Roshi Enkyo O’Hara discusses intimacy and the bodhisattva archetype, in the context of working with illness.
“Time and Atonement,” Village Zendo, Feb. 25, 2021 (17:07 min)
Enkyo Roshi brings up Dogen’s two fascicles, “Uji” and “Refrain from Unwholesome Action” to offer us vital reflection for these days, here, now.
“Getting Intimate,” Tricycle June 16, 2017 (35:37 min)
Amy Gross speaks with Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, on how to cultivate compassion for ourselves through honest reflection, breaking down any sort of “fixed self-identity,” and living in the present moment. Once we develop this compassion for ourselves, Enkyo says, we start to realize the lack of distinction between self and other, which ultimately leads to wisdom and compassionate action.
“Zen Poetry,” Hart House (Michael Stone Teaching),
February 25, 2011 (1:04:16 min)
Roshi Enkyo introduces the forms and aesthetics of Zen Poetry.
Brief Encounters
“The Canvas Of Our Minds - The Village Zendo,” Documentary by Amit Kehar, October 10, 2018 (2:31 min)
Sometimes in life, we need to stop and take a deep breath. Here is a small piece about NYC's long standing Zendo, featuring Enkyo Roshi,” Amit Kehar.
“On The Meaning of Prajna,” Tricycle on Youtube, April 2023, (1:50 min)
Brief excerpt from a Tricycle dharma talk on the Heart sutra, focusing on prajna, the knowing before knowing.
“Roshi Enkyo O’Hara on Mindfulness and Contemplative Care,” Garrison Institute, February 24, 2024 (1:14 min)
Roshi Enkyo O’Hara discusses how to use contemplative practices when dealing with illness and death.
“Joy in the Midst of Suffering,” Tricycle Retreats, Feb 16, 2011 (2:37min)
From Week Two of Roshi Pat Enkyo O'Hara's Tricycle Retreat, "Ease and Joy in Your Practice and Life." Enkyo Roshi describes how to turn towards suffering to ease pain.
“(Mis)information Overload: Living in Truth in the Post-Truth Age,” Garrison Institute, October 26, 2017 (3:08 min)
Enkyo Roshi talks using our bodies as a tuning fork as we engage with media, watching out for the three poisons of grasping, aversion, and indifference.
“Western Buddhism: Work in Progress,” Cooper Union, November 14, 2010
(8:45 min)
Clip from a panel discussion organized as part of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's book launch tour for "Rebel Buddha: On the Road to Freedom." Held at Cooper Union's Great Hall in New York City on November 14th, 2010.
