Koun Franz is a Soto Zen priest. He leads practice at Thousand Harbours Zen in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Koun Franz
Recent Articles
How Does Buddhism Speak to Us Today: An Interview with Stephen Batchelor
Stephen Batchelor talks to <em>Buddhadharma</em> deputy editor Koun Franz about the importance of study in Buddhist practice and the relevance of the Buddha's teachings to modern life.
Why Forms are Fundamental to Buddhist Practice
Embrace the ritual forms of Buddhist practice, says Buddhadharma deputy editor Koun Franz — you can't escape them anyway.
Step Into Awareness with Walking Meditation
Walking meditation is not just an opportunity to stretch our legs, says Koun Franz. It’s a practice in living all of life as meditation.
Los “Cinco Recordatorios” del Budismo: Un llamado al despertar para todos
Perfectamente claros, compasivos y concisos, los "Cinco Recordatorios" son de lo mejor del budismo. Explica Koun Franz.
The Eightfold Path: Right View
Koun Franz on seeing what’s in front of you, even the things you’d rather not see.
How to Feed All Beings
Koun Franz contemplates how caring for ourselves is caring for all.
It’s About Time : 20 Years of Buddhadharma
Editor Koun Franz introduces the 20th anniversary issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Guide, which looks back at where Western Buddhism has been, and what might lie ahead.
The View from This Shore
Koun Franz considers what it means when a path of transcendence leaves us right where we always were.
The Ordinary, Extraordinary Teacher
Buddhadharma Editor Koun Franz on meeting his teacher for the first time.
The Jewel We Make
How do we take refuge in sangha? For Buddhadharma editor Koun Franz, it’s all about embracing change.
Does a Dog Have Buddhanature?
Koun Franz ponders the famous koan and the Zen master’s enigmatic answer (it’s not woof).
Buddhism’s “Five Remembrances” Are Wake-Up Calls for Us All
Perfectly clear, compassionate, and concise, the "Five Remembrances" are Buddhism at its very best. Koun Franz explains.
Buddhist Ethics in the 21st Century
Koun Franz explains what ethics has meant in his own practice.
A Zen read of the visual language of “Arrival”
If the new film Arrival had you thinking about “Zen circles,” you’re not the only one. Buddhadharma Deputy Editor Koun Franz on the happy accident of the film’s unique approach to alien communication.
Ocean, Meet Boy
As we moved from Japan to Nova Scotia, we found ourselves in Hawaii, a place that is a world entirely without category for our kids.
Review: “Icons and Iconoclasm in Japanese Buddhism: Kukai and Dogen on the Art of Enlightenment”
Icons and Iconoclasm in Japanese Buddhism: Kukai and Dogen on the Art of Enlightenment By Pamela D. Winfield Oxford University Press, 2013 When I was a novice at Shogoji monastery, every day I passed by some framed calligraphy by the main doors of the dharma hall, excerpts from the Ten Examples of Suchness (junyoze). For…
Seeing Dharma
Koun Franz reviews "Icons and Iconoclasm in Japanese Buddhism: Kukai and Dogen on the Art of Enlightenment", by Pamela D. Winfield.