About this TalkIn this talk, Giko examines Zen and Buddhist attitudes toward metaphysical questions, arguing that early Buddhism was not simply agnostic and did address topics such as karma, rebirth, nirvana, and cosmic time. He also discusses ignorance in dependent origination and asks whether the tendency to divide self and world is a root of suffering.

The talk then focuses on Joshu Sasaki Roshi’s idea of “Dharma activity,” presented as an interplay of opposing but interdependent forces such as expansion and contraction. Giko connects this teaching to practice through breathing and posture, and the discussion closes with comparisons to other traditions and examples of following the Dharma activity in ordinary experience.