What does it mean to leave home? What does it mean to come home? And what are the Chinese roots of being “homeward bound”? In this talk we examine the Book of Songs, one of the earliest examples of Chinese literature, to see what kind of light it sheds on Confucianism, Daoism and Zen. We also visit Vimalakirti in his ten-foot-by-ten-foot room to explore what it’s like to be at home in old age, sickness and death. And we sing along with Tao Chien, whose song “Homeward Bound” has become a rallying cry for returning to the simplicity of resting in an “empty home”. This talk was given at Castlemaine Zen in November 2026.
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number
Zen Practice in the heart of the Goldfields
Your Custom Text Here
Castlemaine Zen Podcast
A selection of emerging dharma talks from Kynan Sutherland Roshi and Castlemaine Zen