317 – Keizan's Denkoroku Chapter 1: Mahakashyapa's Smile

In this episode I read and reflect on Chapter One of Keizan's Denkoroku: Record of the Transmission of Illumination. In it, Shakyamuni Buddha holds up a flower and blinks. Keizan says, "No one knew his intention, and they were silent." Then Mahakashyapa gives a slight smile, and the Buddha acknowledges him as his Dharma heir. What is going on in this koan? Keizan challenges our ideas about awakening, time, causation, and the nature of self.

You can listen to 317 – Keizan's Denkoroku Chapter 1: Mahakashyapa's Smile online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

317 – Keizan's Denkoroku Chapter 1: Mahakashyapa's Smile is an episode from The Zen Studies Podcast by Domyo Burk.

This episode is 35:42 long.

This episode was published on Oct 31, 2025.

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