The Nuts and Bolts Of Zen: 'Seeing Things As They Are' With Reverend Kyoki Roberts, First Zen Priest Of Pittsburgh's Deep Spring Temple

From the archives, the fourth ever episode recorded of Unraveling Religion, this from June 18th, 2008 is reposted In Memoriam for Reverend Kyoki Roberts of Pittsburgh's Deep Spring Temple.

In speaking with Joel, Kyoki explored insights from her long time Zen practice.

What is the nature of Self?

Questions opening into 'what is Zen?' and the relation to Dukkha (Sanskrit, suffering), how Zen practice addresses 'when are material possessions enough?'

The practical and experiential aspects of Zen practice, the streams of Soto versus Rinzai Zen traditions.

Addressing the sense of a separate self or as Dogen Zenji's teaching 'dropping away body and mind.'

Rinzai's koan, public case study: 'what is the sound of one hand clapping?' and Joshu's (Chinese, Zhouzhou) 'does a dog have Buddha nature? MU!'

Kyoki skillfully guides the conversation toward seeing things as they are.

What do we awakened to?

How do we reconcile Zen practice with God?

A examination of Dogen Zenji's teaching of Parental Mind, from his treatis Shobogenzo.

Bodhidharma's importance in Chinese Ch'an roots, and the story of Bodhidharma and Emperor Wu, 'no holiness, vast emptiness' and merit and Zen practice, doing things for 'no reason.'

Discursive mind versus Big Mind, the moment as fresh and new, all potentiation, step into the moment: here, now!

What is a Bodhisattva?

Exploring the Bodhisattva vow, and the question 'where can I be helpful?'

Taking suffering as a way to learn and be helpful and benefit others, through action and wisdom.

 

Biography

 

Reverend Kyōki Roberts (December 17, 1951 to December 19, 2023) was a retired American Sōtō Zen priest.

The single Dharma heir of Nonin Chowaney-roshi, Roberts received Dharma transmission in June 2001 and was a member of an organization of priests known as the Order of the Prairie Wind (OPW).

She studied Zen in Japan and in the United States.

Roberts blended her practice with art during the 2003 exhibition Gestures: An Exhibition of Small Site-Specific Works at The Mattress Factory Museum in Pittsburgh. Her installation exhibit, No where to go; nothing to do: Just Sitting, invited visitors to experience aspects of Zazen.

In March 2006, Roberts served as a member of the Plenary Panel of Venerable Women: Women Living the Dharma in the 21st Century during the first Buddhist Women's Conference held at DePaul University and sponsored by the Buddhist Council of the Midwest.

(Biography from Wiki)