Recorded on March 28th, 2007

This is one of the hardest topics that one can usually approach in the West as we typically try to be expressive and somewhat confrontational in our interactions with each other. However, the field of Right Speech can be more subtle.

Roshi gives the four Gatekeepers of Speech:
Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it beneficial?
Is it necessary?
and she adds, Is it the right time?

Recorded March 17th, 2007
Speakers: Roshi Joan Halifax

Roshi Joan Halifax discusses how Buddhism views sex and sexuality.

She decries the fact that historically the canons spoke mostly about constraints having to do with women. Roshi differentiates the expectations for monastic vs. lay conduct and defines misconduct:actions which encompass any or all of the qualities of violence,manipulation, and deceit (e.g rape, bestiality, prostitution, adultery, sex with minors) and right conduct — including deep respect, deep responsibility and deep caring.

Recorded on March 14th, 2007 at Upaya Zen Center

In this talk, we discuss the precept of “Not Misusing Sex” where she makes clear that although one tries to observe the precepts, it’s not always such an easy topic to tackle.