Shinzan Palma: Shinzan Palma: 10-30-2013: The Three Marks of Existence: Impermanence, No-Self, Suffering

Summary: Episode Description: In this talk Shinzan discusses The Three Marks of Existence as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha. The Three Marks being anicca or impermanence, anattā or not-self, and dukkha or suffering. Shinzan describes each of these aspects of existence and how they are related to each other. He emphases that this teaching is not intended to be philosophical. That we should practice with impermanence and non-self in our daily lives. Shinzan then suggests a number of practices which he makes use of in his own life. For example, when suffering comes, ask the question: "why am I suffering?" The answer, "because I have an I, a self." Leading one to question "what is it that I don't see clearly?" Shinzan also discusses the true self, one's Buddha nature. How can one explore this Buddha nature" How can we flip the hand, having one side suffering, the other side nirvana" Bio: Shinzan Palma was born in Veracruz, Mexico. He has been practicing Zen since 1996. He met his former teacher, Korean Master Samu Sunim, in Mexico City and trained under his guidance for 8 years. He did a residential training for 4 years at the Zen Buddhist Temple in Toronto, Canada and was ordained as a novice priest by Samu Sunim in 2004. After leaving Canada, he was invited by Roshi Joan Halifax to come to Upaya in 2006. Shinzan asked Roshi to be her student and he was re-ordained as a Priest in 2007 by Roshi Joan Halifax. Since then, he has been at Upaya practicing with the community. He is now Head Priest and Temple Coordinator, giving guidance to the residents on Zen training. He became Dharma holder in March, 2010. He has a sincere and strong heart committed to the Dharma.