Ming Po gives a Dharma talk on Ethical Living and Spiritual Practice. The talk explores how the Three Pure Precepts—refraining from harm, doing good, and living for the benefit of all—interweave with the Zen Peacemaker Tenets of not knowing, bearing witness, and taking loving action. Ming Po emphasizes that these are not rigid rules but living vows inviting openness, compassion, and mindful responsiveness. By releasing fixed ideas, we create space for natural goodness and compassionate action to arise. Ethical living in Zen is not about moral perfection but about presence—returning again and again to awareness and integrity in each moment. Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Ekai gives a Dharma talk on the 7th precept, Celebrate Others - I vow to refrain from praising self at the expense of others. I rejoice in the good fortune of others. I do not, through my thoughts, words or actions, separate myself from others through coveting, envy or jealousy.   Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

In “The Way Out Is Through” Jozen Jonathon Fielder defines consciousness as the ever-changing lens shaped by upbringing, biology, culture and ego—those personas and hot buttons we wear—then distinguishes that from awareness: the unchanging, ever-present ground that simply knows. He emphasizes that consciousness is always in relationship (to memories, God, others, desires), that identities are constructed and fluid, and that true spiritual work is noticing this rather than clinging.   Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

How does Zen understand meditation?  In what ways is Rinzai practice different from Soto practice?  How do we understand Zazen versus meditation?  In this introductory talk,  Roshi Ekai Joel Kreisberg traces the history of Zen Buddhism and how it evolves into the modern day practice of Zen in 21st Century America.  This dharma talk introduces the Five Gates approach of Cosmopolitan Zen.  It was offered at Gently Sitting Like a Stone, October 6th, 2025 https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

WSP25 - Embody Compassion - Nanda Nina Lynch - September 6th, 2025 Nanda gives a Dharma Reflection on the precept, Embody Compassion - I vow to refrain from ill will. Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Brahmavihara: Cultivating Virtue Through The Four Immeasurables - Mudita - April 6, 2025 Emyo leads us on a guided meditation of the third of the Brahmaviharas, Mudita also known as Sympathetic Joy. https://www.onewisdom.ca/ Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Brahmavihara: Cultivating Virtue Through The Four Immeasurables - Karuna - April 6, 2025 Emyo leads us on a guided meditation of the second of the Brahmaviharas, Karuna also known as Compassion. https://www.onewisdom.ca/ Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

WSP - Respect Clarity - Nanda Nina Lynch - August 9th, 2025   Nanda gives a Dharma Reflection on the fifth precept, Respect Clarity - I vow to refrain from intoxicants. I act at all times with mindfulness and clarity. I do not abuse my body or cloud my mind with the misuse of intoxicants.   Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Emyo leads us on a guided meditation of the first of the Brahmaviharas, Metta also known as Loving Kindness. https://www.onewisdom.ca/ Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Weekend Sangha Practice - Between Love and Lust - Ming Po Larry Matthews - July 26th, 2025   Ming Po gives a Dharma Reflection on the 3rd precept, Be Loving – I vow to refrain from misusing sexuality. I am conscious and loving in all of my relationships. In sexuality, I discern the difference between love and lust and do not take advantage of other human beings. I transform the arising of lust into true loving.       Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattva Archetypes - Manjushri - Jozen Jonathon Fielder - April 12th, 2025 Faces of Compassion - Week 2 - Our next exploration is of Manjushri as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Manjushri is a bodhisattva embodying supreme wisdom and clear seeing. He is often depicted with a sword (symbolizing the cutting away of ignorance) and a scripture (representing the transmission of wisdom) - Seven Bodhisattvas with a dharma talk by Jozen Jonathon Fielder. Jozen Jonathon Fielder offers his teachings and his wisdom tireless through several sanghas. Having been ordained as a Hollow Bones Zen priest, he continues to lead a regular practice as part of the Virtual Zendo. As a martial arts teacher and dharma teacher, he is an associate clergy member of Shining Bright Lotus. Recently he has begun to develop his own dharma center Iron Mountain Zendo in the UK.  https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/iron-mountain-zendo Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattva Archetypes - Samantabadhra - Ekai Joel Kreisberg - April 21st, 2025 Faces of Compassion - Week 3 - Our next exploration is of Samantabadhra as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Samantabhadra is a prominent Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, often associated with wisdom, compassion, and practice. He is also known as "Universal Worthy" or "All Good". Samantabhadra is frequently depicted seated on an elephant, sometimes with multiple heads, and is part of the Shakyamuni Triad alongside Shakyamuni Buddha and Manjushri.    Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Weekend Sangha Practice - Small Mind, Big Mind, One Mind - Ming Po Larry Matthews - May 31st, 2025 The phrase "Small Mind, Big Mind, One Mind" is a concept often explored in Zen Buddhism and mindfulness practices. It refers to different perspectives or modes of awareness within the mind and how they relate to each other. Ming Po reflects on this concept, gives personal examples, and a brief practice.   Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

 "It's like opening up the shell, peering out the shell, and then casting off the shell and allowing a new outer appearance."  Heisoku Maik Bain is preparing for his ordination as a Dragon Heart Dharma priest. He continues to offer Mondo Zen Facilitation actively and participates in several sanghas including One Wisdom Zen, Dragon Heart Dharma, Hollow Bones Zen and Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society.  Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattva - Avalokiteshvara - Nanda Nina Lynch - April 26th, 2025 Faces of Compassion - Week 4 - Our next exploration is of Avalokiteshvara as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Avalokiteshvara is a revered Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion. They are also known by various names in different cultures, such as Guanyin in China. Avalokiteshvara's primary role is to assist sentient beings in their journey towards enlightenment by embodying compassion and offering protection.  Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Our current Shuso, Daijo Scott Duffer offers a Dharma Reflection entitled Daishizen and Stewarding the Earth. This teaching was given at the Shuso Ceremony June 28th, 2025 Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattvas - Ksitigarbha - Kenshin Cian Whalley - May 3rd, 2025 Faces of Compassion - Week 5 - Our next exploration is of Ksitigarbha as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Ksitigarbha, also known as Jizō in Japanese and Dizang in Chinese, is a prominent figure in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in East Asia. He is revered as a rescuer of beings in hell and a guardian of souls, especially for children. Ksitigarbha is known for his great vow to remain in the six realms of rebirth until all beings are saved and the hells are empty, making him a symbol of compassion and dedication. Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattvas - Maitreya - Ming Po Larry Matthews - May 10th, 2025 Faces of Compassion - Week 6 - Our next exploration is of Maitreya as a Bodhisattva archetype. Maitreya is a revered figure in Buddhism, specifically a bodhisattva, which means he is a being on the path to enlightenment. He is believed to be the future Buddha of the current world, the one who will emerge to teach the Dharma when the teachings of Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) are forgotten. Maitreya is also known as "Maitreya the Buddha of the Future".  Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Daijo Scott Duffer is full on in training with Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society. He serves as ourShuso - head student. He will be ordained as a priest with Dragon Heart Dharma. He’s working throughMondo Zen Facilitation. He serves as a guide in the Condor Clan, leading Condor Vision Quests and he hasbeen a long time member of the Man Kind Project. Ekai Joel Kreisberg caught up with Daijo before his workday at Cal State University - Channel Islands, where he teaches in the science department.

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattvas - Vimalakirti - Ekai Joel Kreisberg - May 17th, 2025 Faces of Compassion - Week 7 - Our next exploration is of Vimalakirti as a Bodhisattva archetype. Vimalakirti is a revered bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly known for his central role in the Vimalakirti Sutra. He represents the ideal lay practitioner, demonstrating wisdom, skill in liberative techniques, and the importance of compassion and non-duality. He is a historical figure, a wealthy householder and patron of Shakyamuni Buddha, not a cosmic or mythic bodhisattva.  Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/