Spring Practice Period 2024: Dharma Talk with Shinzan Palma

In this talk, Sensei Shinzan explores the teachings of Yogachara, a school of Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing the union and practice that leads to understanding the self and transcending it towards the realization of non-self. He starts by clarifying potential misconceptions about Yogachara, suggesting it’s less about the physical practice of yoga and more deeply connected to Zen and Buddhist practice. Shinzan dedicates much of the talk to explaining the concept of the self and non-self, the core teachings of Buddhism. He touches upon the Four Noble Truths, particularly focusing on the origin of suffering, which is rooted in the attachment to the self. He explores Vasubandu’s model of the Eight Consciousnesses, explaining how our perception of self and the world is shaped by these consciousnesses, and stresses the importance of recognizing and transforming our karmic roots through meditation and practice.