Talks
This page is also available in Slovak.
One part of the programme at our retreats is the “study of Buddhist philosophy”. It takes the form of talks, questions and answers, or participant discussions. Below are links to recordings of some of these talks. ... Information on playing audio recordings stored on Google Drive. ... for a video, click the “full size” icon.
==> All videos can be found on our YouTube channel. MP3 audio recordings are listed below the videos on this page. ==> See also video recordings by our teacher Gudo Nishijimu.
6.2021 – Talks by Michael Luetchford from the retreat at Skalní Fara
01 – Audio talk at Skalní Fara
02 – Audio talk at Skalní Fara
03 – Audio talk at Skalní Fara
04 – Audio talk at Skalní Fara
05 – Audio talk at Skalní Fara
9.2015 – Talks from the retreat in Banský Studenec
Michael Luetchford: Zen without spirituality
part 1/4
part 2/4
part 3/4
part 4/4
Michael Luetchford: 4 Points of Buddhist Belief
part 1/5
part 2/5
part 3/5
part 4/5
part 5/5
Michael Luetchford: Flexible State of Mind
part 1/1
Michael Luetchford: Sacred Is Ordinary, Ordinary Is Sacred
part 1/1
8.2014 – Talks from the retreat in Banský Studenec
Michael Luetchford: Difference Between Thinking and Doing – Talk 1
Michael Luetchford: Taking European Glasses Off – Talk 2
Michael Luetchford: Buddhist Simplicity & Psychotherapy – Talk 5
5.2014 – Talks from the retreat in Banský Studenec
Public talk in Banská Štiavnica – Tomorrow Will Never Come – Mike talks about how to live a real life and not merely be carried along by ideas. He then speaks about two of the most important things Buddhism can contribute to the modern world. The first is the teaching of cause and effect: whatever we do has consequences. The second is that the only reality that exists is right here and now. Yesterday no longer exists and tomorrow exists only in our minds. Living in the present is liberating and can help us live more happily. Finally, he considers how zazen meditation or other activities can help us see and experience this.
Talk 1 – How to Study Buddhist Writings – How can we study Buddhist texts without being overwhelmed by words and thoughts? How can we understand works such as Shobogenzo without misinterpreting their meaning and purpose, which is a common and important problem when reading Buddhist texts?
Talk 2 – The Meaning of Prajñā (Intuition) – This talk considers prajñā, which is often translated as wisdom. What does prajñā mean, what role does it have in zazen, where does it come from, and what value might it have in contemporary society? Pra means “before”; jñā means intellectual thinking. Prajñā therefore means “before intellectual thinking” – but what does this mean in practice, in our everyday life?
Talk 3 – How Buddhism Has Helped Me – This talk is about how Buddhism and Buddhist teaching helped Mike in difficult life situations; his answer may surprise many people. Can Buddhist teaching be used to solve all our problems? When is Buddhism a solution, and when merely an escape? Can Buddhism help us in a relationship or with our health? What effect does zazen have on a person? According to Mike, Buddhism cannot claim ownership of “Buddhist” teaching, which in fact belongs to everyone.
Talk 4 – Shobogenzo Genjo Koan, on the work of Master Dogen, Shobogenzo. Master Dogen did not write Shobogenzo; it consists of collected talks by Master Dogen. In Shobogenzo, Dogen’s principle of teaching recurs: four viewpoints, each representing something different, with the last ending in reality itself – in the ultimate here and now, in the actual situation. Dogen also uses many different words and expressions that can be very easily misinterpreted. This talk can help us understand how to read Shobogenzo and similar works. There is a difference between being lost in thoughts and fantasies and being here and now, in this place, in this reality – Buddhism is about being able to recognise that difference.
Talk 4 – Organization and Effort in Buddhism This talk is not only about organization and effort in Buddhism. It is mainly about the personal relationship between Mike and his teacher, Gudo Nishijima Roshi. Mike talks about his teacher: his attitudes to the world, life, Buddhism, and Shobogenzo and its application in our world. It is also about a new phase of the world, science, changes in the world, the development of society and religion, and relationships between people and states. No description can adequately capture this talk or replace the experience of watching it.
18–22.9.2013 – Talks from the retreat in Banský Studenec
Public talk in Banská Štiavnica – How to Live Your Own Life
Talk 1 – What I Learned in Japan
Talk 2 – On Attaining the Truth
Talk 3 – Heart Sutra
Talk 4 – Understanding Old Writings
23–16.8.2012 – Talks from the summer retreat at Dibbavana near Mariánské Lázně
Talk 1 – Dogensangha Group
Talk 2 – Intuition and Logic
Talk 3 – Zen Master Dogen
Talk 4 – Questions and Answers
26.5.2012 – Talks from the day of zazen in Nová Dedinka
Talk 1 – Tatras
Talk 2 – Raihai-tokuzui (Prostrating to Attainment of the Marrow) + discussion
25.8.–28.8.2011 – Talks from the summer retreat at Dibbavana near Mariánské Lázně
Talk 1 – Unhappiness
Talk 2 – Shunryu Suzuki
Talk 3 – Change, Character of Teachers
Talk 4 – Kodo Sawaki
Talk 5 – Mud Buffalo
23.6. – 26.6. 2011 – Talks from the summer retreat in Banský Studenec
Talk 1 – Tradition
Talk 2 – Relationships
Talk 3 – Buddha
Talk 4 – Ego, Heart Sutra
Talk 5 – Religion
10.3. – 13.3. 2011 – Talks from the winter retreat in Zhoř near Pacov
Talk 1 – Buddhism Is Not a Religion
Talk 2 – We Always Add Something
Talk 3 – Ordinary Mind
16.7. – 19.7. 2009 Talks from the summer retreat at Dibbavana Meditation Centre near Mariánské Lázně 13.2. – 16.2. 2009 Talks from the winter retreat in Cholín
Talk 1 – Teachings of Master Dogen and Other Buddhist Groups
Talk 2 – State Called Enlightenment
Talk 3 – Effort for the Sake of Making Effort
Talk 4 – Action and Precepts
Talk 1 – Buddhism in the West
Talk 2 – Purpose of Zazen
Talk 3 – Ceremony and Tradition in Buddhism
Talk 4 – Morality
Talk 5 – The Buddhist View of Living Itself
4.–5. June 2005 – Talks from the meditation weekend at the Lotus Buddhist Centre in Prague
Talk 1 – Master Dogen’s Life
Talk 2 – Shobogenzo
Talk 3 – What Did Gautama Buddha Discover?
Talk 4 – Zazen from 4 Viewpoints