Genuine Zen spirit and practice are transmitted through the lineage of realized masters, and we are fortunate now to be witnessing a time when first-generation American teachers are speaking directly to American students in their own idiom. Addressing issues relevant to twentieth century practitioners, in context of a Buddhist tradition spanning 2500 years, Mountain Record of Zen Talks is a collection of teachings both very modern and universal. Based on dharma talks given by John Daido Loori, Roshi, the book explores areas of training that are the focus of practice at Zen Mountain Monastery: meditation, face-to-face study with the teacher, liturgy, precepts, academics, art practice, body practice, and work practice.Daido Roshi gives special attention to unraveling the enigma of the koan through discussion of several classical Zen texts. He also comments on martial arts, illness and healing, and the importance of egalitarian principles in Western Zen, where women and men, monks and lay practitioners, train together as equals. The presentations in this volume are an expression of vigorous Zen flourishing on American soil.