Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Zen Studies Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Domyo Burk
Learn about traditional Zen and Buddhist teachings, practices, and history through episodes recorded specifically for podcast listeners. Host Domyo Burk is a Soto Zen priest and teacher.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago28 min
336 - Finding the Edge of Your Practice (1 of 2)
To keep your Dharma practice lively, it's important to regularly identify the "edge" of your practice. This is your growth point – the current limit of your understanding and your capacity to embody it. Of course, you don't have a single edge; it might be more accurate to say it's important to identify something on your growth "perimeter," or find one of your many edges, so you can focus your practice or have a dialogue with a teacher. I discuss what an edge is, what it means to find one, why this is important, and how to go about it.
- 2 weeks ago23 min
335 – Six Useful Lessons from the Buddhist Teachings on Rebirth (2 of 2)
This is second episode of two on this topic. In the first episode (334), I identified existing episodes of the Zen Studies Podcast on - or related to - rebirth that you might want to listen to for context and background. Then I discussed the way you are free to believe in rebirth, disbelieve, or remain agnostic about it. Finally, I talked about the first useful lesson we can take from the teachings of rebirth: The basic laws of karma, or behavioral cause-and-effect, as portrayed in the cosmology of the Six Realms. In this episode I cover five more useful lessons from the Buddhist teachings on rebirth.
- Jun 29, 202626 min
334 – Six Useful Lessons from the Buddhist Teachings on Rebirth (1 of 2)
Zen practice is not dependent on rebirth being true or untrue, and I suspect most Dharma teachers would say the same of their lineage traditions. As long as you practice, it doesn't matter whether you believe in rebirth, disbelieve, or maintain an agnostic attitude. Nevertheless, the traditional narratives and imagery of rebirth teachings contain many valuable lessons for us.
- Jun 16, 202633 min
333 - Buddha Is Like an Old-Growth Tree: Practice as Human Maturation
Sometimes it's difficult to relate to the goal of "awakening" or "enlightenment." Especially if we've gained a hard-won sense of peace with ourselves and our lives, it can seem counterproductive to dwell on some experience or understanding we don't yet have and then drive ourselves to achieve it. I want to share an alternative way to frame your practice that might kindle your Bodhicitta in a different way.
- May 31, 202634 min
332 - My Guidelines for Deepening Your Zen Practice
For many years now, people have been asking me how to deepen their Zen practice. They wonder, "What's next?" Some lay people are perfectly content guiding their own practice, but others long for more structure – some kind of program to which they can apply themselves. I have long desired to meet such requests, but I wasn't clear how. After teaching Zen for over 15 years, I have developed a clearer sense of what to require of my students if they are asking me to personally guide their practice. I share my practice agreement for formal students here.
- May 15, 202620 min
331 - When Confronted with Great Difficulties: Zhaozhou's "Just Right"
How can we practice without ignoring the world, but also without being overwhelmed by it? We can learn something from a koan involving the 9th century Chan master Zhaozhou (Joshu): A monk asked, "When a great difficulties come, how should I avoid them?" Zhaozhou said, "Just right." We can include great difficulties in our perception of this life without being destroyed by them, letting our hearts break without rejecting this world or becoming consumed by anger or grief.
- Apr 30, 202635 min
330 – Teisho: Awakening Bodhicitta, Seeking Your Heart's Inmost Desire
This is a teisho – like a cross between a Dharma Talk and guided meditation. Teisho are sometimes called "encouragement talks," and they are meant to help listeners connect with the Dharma in the spaciousness and silence of zazen. Teisho are not about explanations or the imparting of information, and they generally are not recorded. They are offered spontaneously, just for the moment, just for those listening. Although you may not be sitting zazen while you listen to this episode, I thought I would offer you a teisho as if you are.
- Apr 16, 202633 min
329 - No Buddhist Bible: A Brief Overview of 2500 Years' Worth of Buddhist Texts (2 of 2)
In Part 2 of this episode, I continue giving my "2,500 years' worth of Buddhist texts in a nutshell," an overview of texts in my Zen lineage. In Part 1 I explained what makes a Buddhist text considered legitimate enough to be passed down through the ages. I also introduced the idea of a Buddhist family tree and discussed the original Buddhist canon, the rising of the Mahayana, and the Mahayana sutras. In this episode I cover Mahayana philosophers, Chinese Chan literature, and the writings of two of the main Japanese Zen ancestors in my lineage.
Get The Zen Studies Podcast summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
The 12-Step Buddhist Podcast
Explores Buddhist principles and mindfulness practices integrated with 12-step recovery to heal trauma and addiction.
Thich Nhat Hanh Dharma Talks
Teachings and dharma talks by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Meet the Monastics
Conversations with monks and nuns about their path to monastic life and ongoing spiritual inspiration.
On Being with Krista Tippett
Conversations exploring spirituality, science, and the human experience through deep interviews with thinkers, poets, and spiritual leaders.
Stoic Coffee Break
A weekly reflection on applying Stoic philosophy to live with purpose and integrity.
Recovery Dharma Audiobook
A guided audiobook exploring Buddhist practices and principles to support recovery from addiction.
Unlearned Wisdom by Johnny Chang
Biblical insights and life lessons drawn from personal experiences and faith, offering practical spiritual guidance.
The One You Feed | Personal Growth, Emotional Resilience & Purpose
Insightful conversations with leading thinkers on personal growth, emotional resilience, and living with purpose.
Tara Brach
Teaches mindfulness and self-compassion through meditation, blending psychology and Eastern spirituality to ease emotional suffering.
The David Ghiyam Podcast
Spiritual teachings and guided meditations blending Kabbalistic wisdom with practical tools to align with purpose and manifest change.
Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast
Explores psychiatry and psychotherapy through interviews with experts, trainees, and individuals sharing lived mental health experiences.
Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson
Explores the science of lasting well-being through psychology, neuroscience, and mindfulness with expert guests.
About The Zen Studies Podcast
Learn about traditional Zen and Buddhist teachings, practices, and history through episodes recorded specifically for podcast listeners. Host Domyo Burk is a Soto Zen priest and teacher.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from The Zen Studies Podcast in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The Zen Studies Podcast daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Zen Studies Podcast as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Zen Studies Podcast podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Zen Studies Podcast product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Domyo Burk.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Zen Studies Podcast release new episodes?
The Zen Studies Podcast publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Zen Studies Podcast cover?
The Zen Studies Podcast covers topics including Religion & Spirituality, Spirituality, Buddhism. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The Zen Studies Podcast summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.