Roshi Amala Wrightson was the Rochester Zen Center’s Head of Zendo (head priest in charge of training) working closely with Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede from 1996 to 2003. In late 2003, upon completion of formal koan training under Roshi Kjolhede, Amala-roshi returned to resettle in New Zealand and, since then, has dedicated her time to the creation of a place for authentic Zen practice and training in Auckland. She was given formal permission to teach by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede in 2004, and in the same year she and and her husband, Richard von Sturmer, co-founded the Auckland Zen Centre. Amala-roshi was sanctioned as a full Dharma heir in 2012. She continues to spend some time most years at the Rochester Zen Center. The following are among her more recent teisho (Dharma talks).
Teisho
Hekiganroku #86, Ummon’s “Everybody has their own light”
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November 2022 Sesshin, Day 6
Description: What is my light? Why can’t I see it? How do I stop objectifying myself and those around me? Source(s): The Golden Age of Zen by John C.H. Wu, Doubleday 1996. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
The Teachings of Maurine Stuart-roshi 5
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November 2022 Sesshin, Day 5
Description: Zen practice is experiential — we each have to find our way to the truth, giving up our egoistic striving. Source(s): Subtle Sound by Roko Sherry Chayat, Shambhala 1996. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
The Teachings of Maurine Stuart-roshi 4
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November 2022 Sesshin, Day 4
Description: Pride in our good deeds reinforces our sense of self-importance, and therefore works at cross-purposes to our efforts to free ourselves from the delusion of separation. Source(s): Subtle Sound by Roko Sherry Chayat, Shambhala 1996. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
The Teachings of Maurine Stuart-roshi 3
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November 2022 Sesshin, Day 3
Description: A master once said, “The taste of Zen is pain in the knees.” How do we work creatively with pain and weariness in these early days of sesshin? Source(s): Subtle Sound by Roko Sherry Chayat, Shambhala 1996. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
The Teachings of Maurine Stuart-roshi 2
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November 2022 Sesshin, Day 2
Description: Practising right where we are. Source(s): Meetings with Remarkable Women by Lenore Friedman, Shambhala 1987; Subtle Sound by Roko Sherry Chayat, Shambhala 1996. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
The Teachings of Maurine Stuart-roshi 1
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November 2022 Sesshin, Day 1
Description: Biographical material Source(s): Meetings with Remarkable Women by Lenore Friedman, Shambhala 1987; Subtle Sound by Roko Sherry Chayat, Shambhala 1996. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
Mumonkan #10, Sozan and Poor Seizei
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June 2021 Sesshin, Day 5
Working with spiritual poverty. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
“An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois #4
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June 2021 Sesshin, Day 4
Arrival, loss and return — the universe changes on its axis, but how to share this amazing experience with others? Searching for a context for 20 years and finally finding one. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
“An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois #3
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June 2021 Sesshin, Day 3
A turning point — no need to look further than the mind itself. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
“An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:09 — 12.9MB)
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June 2021 Sesshin, Day 2
Flora Courtois’ search for Reality, or the ground of being. Text: An Experience of Enlightenment by Flora Courtois. Quest Books, 1986. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript
“An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:12 — 13.5MB)
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June 2021 Sesshin, Day 1
Introduction to the text by Yasutani-roshi Text: An Experience of Enlightenment by Flora Courtois. Quest Books, 1986. Teisho by Roshi Amala Wrightson. Automated Transcript