The Zen Studies Podcast

Domyo Burk is a Soto Zen priest who founded Bright Way Zen near Portland, Oregon, and she's put together something genuinely useful here. The Zen Studies Podcast has 335 episodes spanning teachings, history, practices, and classical texts, all recorded specifically for podcast listeners rather than repurposed from live talks. That intentionality shows in the pacing and structure. The format cycles through five categories: Buddhism Today, Buddhist Teachings, Buddhist History, Buddhist Practices, and Buddhist Texts. This rotation keeps things fresh and gives the show an almost educational-series quality. Episodes run 30-40 minutes on average, though koan discussions can be shorter. A recent episode on Yunmen's famous koan "Every Day Is a Good Day" from the Blue Cliff Record ran just 22 minutes but packed in genuine insight. Domyo's teaching style is clear and methodical without being dry. She explains Zen concepts in plain language and isn't afraid to say when something is complicated or when the tradition itself contains contradictions. The show has earned a 4.8-star rating from 384 reviewers, and all content is offered for free, which she frames as a commitment to making the Dharma universally accessible. If you want a systematic education in Zen Buddhism, this is probably the best podcast for it. Domyo covers historical figures, ritual practices, ethical precepts, and meditation techniques with equal care. It's also the author of Idiot's Guides: Zen Living, which gives you a sense of her commitment to making Zen approachable.