Heart to Heart with the Mother of All Buddhas

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Sensei Kodo brings his characteristic warmth and curiosity to an exploration of classic Mahayana literature. With equal parts scholarly enthusiasm and playful inquiry, he delves into this classical Buddhist text, beginning with the Matriarchs lineage chant before venturing into what he calls “dharma geek” territory – the Prajnaparamita Sutra in 8,000 Lines. Kodo’s approach is both rigorous and accessible as he examines how the “Mother of All Buddhas” represents wisdom beyond conceptual understanding, freely admitting when the texts leave him puzzled and inviting his audience into shared discovery. Through careful analysis of the Ratnaguna (summary) verses and armed with a rainbow gradient metaphor, he illuminates the paradoxical nature of emptiness and form with humor and insight. Weaving together textual scholarship, personal reflection, and practical application, Kodo suggests that relaxing our rigid conceptual boundaries can lead to more effective engagement with the world – whether in political discussions or everyday encounters. Throughout the talk, his enthusiasm for these challenging philosophical concepts is infectious, even as he acknowledges that an hour is barely enough time to scratch the surface of these profound teachings.