San Francisco Zen Center Dharma Talks

Given by Jiryu Rutschman-Byler at Green Gulch Farm on August 23rd, 2026
Jiryu Rutschman-Byler reflects on Suzuki Roshi’s encouragement to “not lose these points: how to be kind to others and how to be one with others,” and offers practices and stories to support these inter-related practices.

Given by Odo Ellen Simpson at City Center on August 19th, 2026
Odo Ellen Simpson explores the nature of spiritual friendship in the context of Buddhist life is a support to our practice and a joyous component of our lives together.

Given by Dan Zigmond at City Center on August 13th, 2026
Dan Zigmond explores attention itself as a form of generosity: dana, the first of the Buddhist perfections and, as he puts it, the ground floor of the whole path.

Given by Kika Susan Hellein at Green Gulch Farm on August 9th, 2026
Kika Hellein discusses the relationship between interior and external realities.

Given by Jan Willis at Green Gulch Farm on August 2nd, 2026
Dr. Jan Willis discusses the life of eighth-century poet and philosopher, Shantideva, and what it can teach us about genuine bodhisattva practice.