Song of the Grass Roof Hut: A Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton

Saturday, February 26th at 10:00 - 11:30 am

  • Teacher  Taigen Dan Leighton
  • Date/Time  Saturday, February 26 at 10am
  • Location  AZC Online Zendo
  • Fee  By donation 

Taigen Dan Leighton first studied Buddhist art and culture in Japan in 1970, and began formal everyday zazen and Soto practice in 1975 at the New York Zen Center with Kando Nakajima Roshi. This led to his returning to graduate in East Asian Studies and study Japanese language at Columbia College. Through the 70s Taigen was also an award-winning documentary film editor in New York and San Francisco. He left his filmmaking career in 1979 to work full time for the San Francisco Zen Center at the Tassajara Bakery and later Greens Restaurant, and he was ordained in 1986 by Reb Anderson Roshi. Taigen practiced and resided for years at San Francisco Zen Center, Tassajara monastery, and Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. 

Taigen has long been active in various Engaged Buddhist programs for social justice, peace, and environmental activism. He received Dharma Transmission in 2000 from Tenshin Reb Anderson. At the beginning of 2007 Taigen relocated to Chicago, and is Guiding Dharma Teacher for Ancient Dragon Zen Gate. 

Let go of hundreds of years and relax completely.

Open your hands and walk, innocent.

These lines are from a poem by Shitou Xiqian (Jp. Sekito Kisen) The Song of the Grass Roof Hut. Shitou, who lived in the 8th c. CE and is one of our Zen ancestors, also wrote The Harmony of Difference and Equality (Sandokai). Shitou was a student of both the 6th Chinese ancestor, Huineng, and his successor Qingyuan Xingsi (Jp. Seigen Gyoshi). Come hear Rev. Taigen Leighton’s teaching on this inspiring text. 
 
If you want to know the undying person in the hut,
don’t separate from this skin bag here and now.

Join our ONLINE ZENDO to attend this Dharma talk, and any part of our Saturday Morning Program (details below).

Please consider offering a donation for our teachers and their offerings.

Austin Zen Center invites you to the Saturday Morning Program in the Online Zendo: 

Time: Saturdays from 9AM-Noon CST   (repeats weekly on Saturdays)

Schedule: 

8:00 – 8:30 am      Informal Zazen 

8:30 – 8:40 am      Kinhin

8:40 – 9:05 am       Informal Zazen

9:05 – 9:15 am       Han for Zazen

9:15 – 9:50 am        Zazen

9:50 – 10:00 am      Short break (no chant)

10:00 – 11:30 am    Dharma Talk & Discussion (see before & after lecture chants)

11:30 am                Announcements/No Breakout Rooms due to retreat

Please read about AZC Online Zendo Etiquette HERE.