Podcasts by Blue Collar Zen

Red Bean Porridge Bubbling from 2022-02-18T15:01:25

Enter the world of Zen nuns.  A common kitchen nun finds her teacher's instruction simple enough, but eventually the endless work & burden of cooking in the zen community becomes a seri...

Listen

A Little Talk about Evening Things Out from 2021-12-25T22:29:56

Six thousand years ago two folks were having a walk in the mountains.  They were Taoist sages, which simply means they were very sincere & accomplished spiritual practitioners.  Ma...

Listen

On the Road Home from 2021-06-10T16:04

Abbot Yang Chu is excited to hear that his master Lao Tzu is on his way back from his remote hermitage.  He drops everything to travel up to meet his teacher on the road home.

--- Se...

Listen

Layman Pusol, Part 2 from 2021-03-29T15:23:33

This episode follows the second part of Pusol's life, and his death.

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bluecollarzendetroit/message Support this podcast: Listen

Layman Pusol from 2021-01-29T00:20:53

1,500 years ago a simple rainstorm brought about a life-altering spiritual decision for a sincere monk.  His compassionate response resonates to this day.

This is the first of two pa...

Listen

Mangong & the Mirror from 2020-10-22T21:43:52

Zen Master Mangong -- a revered 20th century monk of Korea (and grandfather teacher to the Detroit Zen Center) -- comes to the end of his life.  Without much fanfare, he departs.  

...

Listen

The Mad Monk from 2020-08-26T11:58:10

Join us as we narrate Lewis Lancaster's journey with The Mad Monk Jung Kwang Sunim, one of the most controversial Buddhist figures (and renowned artists) of 20th Century Korea, amidst his practi...

Listen

Poduk Cave from 2020-07-22T15:01:39

Welcome to the origin of Poduk Cave, a zen training hermitage located on a precipice deep in the Diamond Mountains of what is now North Korea.  This cave temple has been long famed as a pla...

Listen

The Cotton Sock Flower from 2020-07-05T19:35:10

Here we have the origin story of Sudeoksa Temple, the mother temple of the Detroit Zen Center.    Join us as we enter what would be an ordinary day in the life of a young upper cl...

Listen

Masan Bosalnim -- The Way of Devotion from 2020-06-15T01:40:11

This story of Masan Bosalnim, a modern day female seeker who awakened, who helped a monk understand Buddhism.

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bluecollarzendetroit/message S...

Listen

Rice Bags & Woodpeckers from 2020-05-18T19:48:32

For many centuries after Wonhyo, Korean Buddhism experienced total oppression. Monks could not enter through the gates of Seoul, and Buddhist teachings entered a period of contraction.  Mon...

Listen

Wonhyo meets Big Brother from 2020-04-29T22:20:12

In this episode we continue to follow Wonhyo on his journey after awakening.

He returns to Korea, where he meets a most unusual teacher:  Big Brother.  In the followup conversat...

Listen

Introduction to Blue Collar Zen, Buddhism & Meditation from 2020-04-25T05:00:51

Welcome.  This narrative by Myungju introduces the spirit of the podcast, as well as the topics of Buddhism, Zen & Meditation practice.

--- Send in a voice message: https://ancho...

Listen

Wonhyo & the Skull from 2020-04-23T16:03:28

Enjoy this follow-up story to Story #1, as monks Wonhyo & Uisang set out on foot from their native Korea, on a treacherous journey to reach T'ang China, in search of the True teachings. &nbs...

Listen

Wohnyo Knows Heaven & Hell from 2020-04-13T18:54:51

This Zen tale describes a harrowing account of a monk's journey into enemy territory to find a master.

The follow up conversation with Hwalson Sunim & Myungju explores the...

Listen

How a Detroit Monk was Born from 2020-04-13T18:47:25

The story of Detroit Zen Center Abbot Hwalson Sunim's spiritual journey to becoming a monk.

Narrated by Myungju.  Enjoy!

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bluecol...

Listen