c/shunryu-suzuki
Shunryu Suzuki Roshi was a pivotal Zen monk and author who founded the first Western Zen monastery. Discover his legacy of "nothing special."
…between belief and Ro, between abrupt and gradual. After the sixth patriarch, as you know, there were two schools, two outstanding. Zen was divided in two. One is gradual and the other is sudden. The sixth patriarch and his disciples. Disciples were called…
…are all one whole school. But after the sixth patriarch, 250 or 200 years after they were some of the feisty minded Zen Disciples denounced the disciples of jinshu and compiled the platform sutra. So people at that time thought there are two schools in…
…Zen Disciples denounced the disciples of jinshu and compiled the platform sutra. So people at that time thought there are two schools in Zen but there are no two schools. We should be both a gladiator and a Saturn School. While we are a Saturn School,…
…be both a gladiator and a Saturn School. While we are a Saturn School, moment after moment, we have enlightened. When you practice Zen, Zen is enlightened always. So we are a Saturn School. But if you do not continue it, that is not right practice. So…
…both a gladiator and a Saturn School. While we are a Saturn School, moment after moment, we have enlightened. When you practice Zen, Zen is enlightened always. So we are a Saturn School. But if you do not continue it, that is not right practice. So as…
…is no particular school which is called Saturn School or gladiator school. This is a big mistake. But some people think in Zen there is a gladiator school and a Saturn School. Yet one attains enlightenment by training. There are many ways of understanding…
…one attains enlightenment by training. There are many ways of understanding of Buddhism and there are various practices in Zen, but one attains enlightenment by training. Training is necessary and without training you cannot attain enlightenment. It is true…
…the dark one will attain, or the dark one will take a long time. But that is not true either. There are many many various Zen masters who was very dark, even in Japan there are many many of them. It is not matter clever or dark. And in Buddhism good…
…If you practice zazen, you will be healthy or you will have some mystic power like some magic. This is, of course, is not Zen. Maybe you will attain some result, but we do not practice it for sake of that wonderful result we will have. But it does…
…actually but we do not practice it for sake of the result we will have and we should be ashamed of to practice Zen, which is to practice religious practice, which is gaining idea. The gaining idea usually limits our meaning of practice. Our practice is…
…usually limits our meaning of practice. Our practice is not. Our practice has the limitless meaning in it. So that is why Zen has eternal life in it. Because if Zen is some practice directed towards some result, some particular result, it will not. It…
…practice is not. Our practice has the limitless meaning in it. So that is why Zen has eternal life in it. Because if Zen is some practice directed towards some result, some particular result, it will not. It will be the practice which you have in your…
…directed towards some result, some particular result, it will not. It will be the practice which you have in your everyday life. And why Zen helps us in its true sense is because it will cut off the root of the problems we have. If you know how to…
…testing again and again and again students. I want to give some important points. First of all, when you want to study Buddhism or Zen, you must give up worldly desires or you must realize that it is useless to seek for worldly desires. But it may be…
…study Buddhism, people naturally respect you. And if you say something unusual, people may say it's very great. And if you practice Zen quite well, people will respect you. But in this case, in this situation, what kind of feeling you have is the point?…
There are many things to do for yourself and for Zen center. This scene was wonderfully done. This is, I think, very unusual. By usual mind this kind of thing cannot be fulfilled and I think this is because of your bodhisattva mind, which is to do…
…or life we have here. This is also possible. But whichever way you take, most important thing is the practice, practice of Zen. Anyway, it will protect, obtain actual meaning of life, the good form of practice. It will protect the problem we have, we…
This morning we understood how important it is to practice Zen, to understand our teachings and to actualize our teachings in our everyday activities and to attain harmony of intellectual faculties and emotional faculties. To attain this kind of oneness, it's…
…of practice. Enlightenment is yours, whether you are aware of it or not. Here the meaning of practice is very deep. So our Zen is not just some way to attain enlightenment. This kind of practice is the practice which is transmitted from buddha to us. Do…
…students spend seven days in hapu vesa. This is vedic, I don't know what else is. This is so easy. So I'm not comparing Zen to LSD. But Zen is something different from what I mean from just training to acquire some state of mind. State of mind may…
…days in hapu vesa. This is vedic, I don't know what else is. This is so easy. So I'm not comparing Zen to LSD. But Zen is something different from what I mean from just training to acquire some state of mind. State of mind may be important, but if…
…bearing fruit. You don't think so it may be anyway, but you need some sort of encouragement, you need some candy. I think Zen has something to do with being ready for any activity and that takes our full attention. Just getting that readiness. If you…
…a lot of this monkey mind. Is this true? And if it is true why don't we hear more about it even if it's not all Zen, That's it because Zen if you that is why, here again, what is Zen? It should be clarified. And Zen is the practice to become one…
…monkey mind. Is this true? And if it is true why don't we hear more about it even if it's not all Zen, That's it because Zen if you that is why, here again, what is Zen? It should be clarified. And Zen is the practice to become one with the world,…
…don't we hear more about it even if it's not all Zen, That's it because Zen if you that is why, here again, what is Zen? It should be clarified. And Zen is the practice to become one with the world, whatever you say. Your world, our world. And here…
…even if it's not all Zen, That's it because Zen if you that is why, here again, what is Zen? It should be clarified. And Zen is the practice to become one with the world, whatever you say. Your world, our world. And here we have a problem what is…
…point. A teacher will teach a very wonderful teaching you should study it daily. Complete freedom, whatever you do, if you are in the Zen Buddhist Law, if you wear black robe like this whatever you do, it is all right. We have that much freedom in our…
Please come here, close your bag, come on, okay, okay okay, my talk will be quite informal. You are of course interested in Zen, but Zen is also Buddhism so it is necessary for you to understand Buddhism in general. Although it will not help you, my…
…come here, close your bag, come on, okay, okay okay, my talk will be quite informal. You are of course interested in Zen, but Zen is also Buddhism so it is necessary for you to understand Buddhism in general. Although it will not help you, my talk will…
…knowledge, those teachings, those understand aspects of our teaching are not necessary for us. We must have those understanding or background of Zen as well as our practice. If you have some question, please ask, as we have not much time. So if you have…
…cannot be attained by just intellectual understanding. That is the Paradise Canon and this is of course this is true with Zen too. This is another maybe where I must explain some other time. You know the three aspects of understanding from three…
…practice zazen. That is why we practice zazen, do you understand? So our practice is based on the canon of various schools. So Zen includes, or Zen is based on all the Buddhism, all the schools, all the teachings of many schools. Zen is the result of…
…the question, the point of the question. We are studying right now the teaching of Buddhism in general, not only the teaching of Zen, but also the teaching of all Buddhism, all schools of Buddhism. We do not study each one of them, but where my lecture…
…use of various research or which will organize our various culture and effort. This is the characteristic of Buddhism. And yet Zen will give right meaning to our human activity. This is our enlightenment, transmitted from buddha to us, and there were no…
…and helps others too. In this way we have been practicing our way from buddha to us. Sometimes many teachers will say Zen is special teaching or buddha attains enlightenment but buddha is the only one who found out the ultimate truth which no one…
…this kind of ears to listen to various religions, then you are a Buddhist in this way we understand our way, especially in Zen we put emphasis on the practice in each moment, moment after moment, we continue this kind of practice and moment after moment,…
…the meaning of the teaching and our practice in each moment will include every teaching possible. This is our practice of Zen. If you understand in this way, there is no problem of comparing our religion to other teachings, which religion you should…
…physiological one. It should be both psychological and physiological attainment. So here there is reason why we must study Zen. But some Zen masters carelessly sought, treated or practiced Zen just to attain some psychological, temporal attainment, psychological…
…should be both psychological and physiological attainment. So here there is reason why we must study Zen. But some Zen masters carelessly sought, treated or practiced Zen just to attain some psychological, temporal attainment, psychological attainment. But this…
…attainment. So here there is reason why we must study Zen. But some Zen masters carelessly sought, treated or practiced Zen just to attain some psychological, temporal attainment, psychological attainment. But this is not true understanding or true Zen. Why…
…or practiced Zen just to attain some psychological, temporal attainment, psychological attainment. But this is not true understanding or true Zen. Why we studied Zen, Zazen, is because we couldn't satisfy with the philosophical study. So there have been many…
…attain some psychological, temporal attainment, psychological attainment. But this is not true understanding or true Zen. Why we studied Zen, Zazen, is because we couldn't satisfy with the philosophical study. So there have been many schools accomplished to…
…To accept things as it is and to raise things as it goes, this is the fundamental purpose of our practice and meaning of Zen. But it is actually rather difficult to see things as it is. You may say you are seeing things as it is, but actually…
…is that it is difficult to see things as it is and that is why we should practice our way. People may say if the purpose of Zen is to see things as it is, then there will be no need to practice. Here is the big problem. I think the most in your…
…it. Those are the character of each material you use in your Garden. But people may say, if people say, whatever we do, that is Zen. No I am seeing things as it is. People may see it you know, individually, one by one, but that is not enough. You…
…rules in it. So to live day by day in its true sense means to live in some perfect rules. This point in Zen this point is also emphasized. Zen is not just personal practice and our enlightenment is not just personal attainment. When we attain…
…day in its true sense means to live in some perfect rules. This point in Zen this point is also emphasized. Zen is not just personal practice and our enlightenment is not just personal attainment. When we attain enlightenment, everything should be…
…of our teaching. So this evening I want to make it clear as much as possible according to our teaching, not only Zen Buddhist teaching, but also Buddhism in general. In prajnaparamita sutra there was a statement: there is no ignorance till it comes to…
…more clearly, you will have a pretty good understanding of it and if that is enough, I must explain it from a viewpoint of Zen. But at first I will try to explain the teaching of Buddhism in general, not only Zen. The twelve links of the teaching…
…explain it from a viewpoint of Zen. But at first I will try to explain the teaching of Buddhism in general, not only Zen. The twelve links of the teaching start from ignorance. This teaching is the explanation of our life from various angles. It starts…
…to be completely free from it. Tentatively it may be all right, but we should have more strength. In that case we should practice Zen. And if you try to rely on teaching, you should use the teaching of everything is has two sides. Tentatively it may be…
…teaching of middle way and when you practice accordingly, you will acquire the power to live in this life and in other words that is Zen. This is our teaching. So first of all we have to cut off. We have to not cut off, but we have to train…
…bodhisattva's practice. We count here six but those six prajnaparamita will be summarized in three precepts: observation and practice of Zen and wisdom. Those are more popular way of counting, numbering. But it is convenient for us to understand this teaching…
…teaching and then precepts observation and constant practice or effort to make effort, to make vigorous effort, and practice of Zen and wisdom. Those are the six prajnaparamita. Oh, and one more important one is constant patient practice. But patient practice…
…prajnaparamita. Oh, and one more important one is constant patient practice. But patient practice or vigorous practice will be included in Zen practice or in seera observation or precepts observation. It is necessary to be patient or to be vigorous when you…
…Zen practice or in seera observation or precepts observation. It is necessary to be patient or to be vigorous when you practice Zen or when you observe precepts so those two will be included in practice of Zen or observation of seera. But more original…
…patient or to be vigorous when you practice Zen or when you observe precepts so those two will be included in practice of Zen or observation of seera. But more original way of counting is to count, to name six practices. And we already explained precepts…
…my practice. I started sitting with them, with caucasians. I was a priest to translate it into American in Japan you were a Zen Priest, attached to a monastery or a center. What would the proper information be? I was a head priest of a pretty big…
…temple and I was always helping the monastery. We were there and you were attached to a school and you worked also with the Zen Monastery yes and you came to this country for a visit and acquired so many people who wished to study with you. There was…
…a priest department in San Francisco, Wasn't there? Yes, and then the whole situation expanded suddenly into something which is now the Zen mountain center and perhaps Richard, you could tell how the Zen mountain center came about, where it is and so on.…
…then the whole situation expanded suddenly into something which is now the Zen mountain center and perhaps Richard, you could tell how the Zen mountain center came about, where it is and so on. As you said a little while ago I wanted the audience to…
…It's the Japanese Congregation in San Francisco which he was asked to come to because he knew English and there are very few Zen masters and there's two major Zen Sects there's Soto and Riga, and there's only about 20 Zen masters and less maybe 10 in…
…is mixed up I should say zazen is quite different practice from other practices. But for many hundreds of years before dogen Zen, this point was not so clear in Buddhism or in Zen. There were many schools, five or seven, and each school, including…
…practice from other practices. But for many hundreds of years before dogen Zen, this point was not so clear in Buddhism or in Zen. There were many schools, five or seven, and each school, including Soto, was supposed to be the best school of all the…
…There were many schools, five or seven, and each school, including Soto, was supposed to be the best school of all the schools of Zen. They said: you know best school. But to say best school is to put limitation to their own way. If it is really best…
…very rigidly. If someone else imitates his practice it will be extremely rigid way, but for him it is quite natural. I know some Zen masters who have this kind of feeling. For example when I would go with him to the bath, he sits, he never sits in…
…he eats, it's very harmonious with other people and yet very very rigid way and this kind of activity is I think, well trained Zen Monks activity. It may take pretty long time before one can act in that way, so he himself does. Not know what he is…
…why we should not compare our practice to other many kinds of practice, as dogen zenji said in his fukan zazen git, recommending Zen practice to every one of us. Fukan zazen git, he recommends this practice to every one of us. And he said: first of…
…zazen git, he recommends this practice to every one of us. And he said: first of all, whatever you do, that is zazen. Zen is not something, some special training or some special way of practice. Whatever you do, it is Zen Actually, at least when you…
…you do, that is zazen. Zen is not something, some special training or some special way of practice. Whatever you do, it is Zen Actually, at least when you are doing, that is Zen. But your understanding of your everyday activity is not right because of…
…or some special way of practice. Whatever you do, it is Zen Actually, at least when you are doing, that is Zen. But your understanding of your everyday activity is not right because of misunderstanding of your practice or misunderstanding or discrimination…
…of misunderstanding of your practice or misunderstanding or discrimination of the practice or attachment to your activity, your activity is not Zen Anymore to you, only to you, but actually it is Zen. Actually, whatever you do, that is Zen, but for you,…
…does not make sound. But actually whatever you do the power is there should be there. In this way we should understand our Zen practice power. It is not something to acquire, but it is something to appreciate. When you sit, just to sit, to be ready…
…rules. He is the first one who set up precepts, mahayana precepts in its true sense. Before hyakucho, almost all the Zen masters lived in precept temples and observed Indian Precepts. But it is not appropriate to observe Chinese people, Chinese who live…
…see something, our power of practice should follow, our buddha nature should follow. Wild geese is not just wild geese. For the Zen Students, wild geese is not just wild geese. Hyakucho is not just hyakucho and baso postmaster too, he is also buddha…
…cannot be usual. We are always trying to get something unusual, unusual. You know even though they say this is unusual, for us Zen Students it is not unusual. Only unusual thing is the thing which can be everything. Like money or gold. You can buy…
…not have eyes to see, we cannot see. That is the teaching out of a letter and if you try to, it is like as dogen Zen said in his poem, it is like letters. It can be letters written on high rack, high racket rack on the seashore, even in storm, no…
…activity should be based on this kind of readiness of your mind. So all the practice vinzai wa Soto, or five schools of Zen, or seven. Schools of Zen and many other practice should be based on this power. In old times, in ancient times, the people…
…this kind of readiness of your mind. So all the practice vinzai wa Soto, or five schools of Zen, or seven. Schools of Zen and many other practice should be based on this power. In old times, in ancient times, the people practiced, applied various ways…
…they think. Thinking about things like that, actually they did it. There are many kinds of practice for us you are just laughing at Zen but if you are in the same situation you will do it. But in America this kind of thing will never happen. All those…
…true nature. I talked about insane last lecture this afternoon, most people who are insane at first I think the symptom of Zen is to Express the feeling of resistance in various ways and they cannot help resisting what people say, what people may like…
…home more he will go away. That is the expression of the resistance. By nature our effort is directed to outward, not inward. So for Zen, it is for Zen because they are not mentally so strong. So it is difficult to work in opposite way or you may say…
…away. That is the expression of the resistance. By nature our effort is directed to outward, not inward. So for Zen, it is for Zen because they are not mentally so strong. So it is difficult to work in opposite way or you may say to control their way.…
…play and come. So you do not, you have no interest in it. Something which is wrong is very interesting to see. As dogen Zen says in his instruction of zazen: don't be afraid of true dragon. In china there was a man who liked dragon very much even…
…we have, even though we don't know what is zazen. People like to talk about that all day and night all night. But dogen Zen said: don't be surprised at the true dragon. You know those people will be surprised or not surprised, but will be sad when…
To talk about the merit of Zen for beginners. They would like to count others preacher. So we do not talk about the merit of Zen. The only way is to devote ourselves to simple practice with hard effort. What I have told you, the point I have told you…
To talk about the merit of Zen for beginners. They would like to count others preacher. So we do not talk about the merit of Zen. The only way is to devote ourselves to simple practice with hard effort. What I have told you, the point I have told you…
…simple practice with hard effort. What I have told you, the point I have told you is not to mix up true Zen practice with some other practice, like reading or something intellectual, because the way we study is quite different intellectual study or…
…or emotional training, spiritual training also, in those activities or in those studies our effort is directed to attain something, but in Zen practice our effort is directed to the opposite way: to forget or to stop all the thinking and to resume our…
…important function of our mind before thinking, before we feel something. The way is quite different so you should not mix that Zen practice with some other practice. In Zen there are many functions for example as you know, to use to give shock, like…
…our practice, in a long time. So it is rather difficult for you to observe our way. I think nowadays young people come and practice Zen in their temple in summer vacation. If I told them to observe our way, they ask me why. Like you do you know and…
…We have something to do with nature and we cannot satisfy without doing anything. We should participate the nature. So even in Zen Picture, Zen painting or drawing of a picture, sansui, we say sansui means mountain and river river. We are one or two…
…something to do with nature and we cannot satisfy without doing anything. We should participate the nature. So even in Zen Picture, Zen painting or drawing of a picture, sansui, we say sansui means mountain and river river. We are one or two people,…
…be suspicious about what they will do in the kitchen. So to work in the kitchen is very difficult work. So first of all, dogen Zen says he must be a man of big mind to accept various criticisms and complain, not smile. But if you smile they will be…
…great and so warm and so clear and full of joy. This is the interpretation of the buddha mind or great mind by dogen Zen. Because we are too intellectual and so too difficult to put faith in something which you do not know exactly. So some explanation…
…than to practice our way. Here is the brief translation of the three minds by dogen. The soul mind, as expanded in Zen, Differentiates itself into three minds: the joyful mind, the kindly mind, the generous mind. They are the three functions of the soul…
…and realize that the world of birth and death is the world of nibbana. The joyful mind is the volitional aspect of the Zen mind, the mental aspect of the Zen mind. Seven hardships are the hardships when you are born we don't remember I don't remember.…
…birth and death is the world of nibbana. The joyful mind is the volitional aspect of the Zen mind, the mental aspect of the Zen mind. Seven hardships are the hardships when you are born we don't remember I don't remember. It must be pretty hard to come…
…is a spiritual master or a Buddhist Philosophy master, and I am master of them. Don't wonder who I am. He said: Zen Monks are Zen Monks because they are speaking in fluently without saying anything, just by everyday activity. That is how Zen Students…
…master or a Buddhist Philosophy master, and I am master of them. Don't wonder who I am. He said: Zen Monks are Zen Monks because they are speaking in fluently without saying anything, just by everyday activity. That is how Zen Students should be. That…
…Zen Monks are Zen Monks because they are speaking in fluently without saying anything, just by everyday activity. That is how Zen Students should be. That is why I say buddha started giving teaching when he attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree in…
…teaching horizontally or vertically. We should realize the meaning of the teaching one by one without arranging. So this is not only Zen way but also tendai's way, so called middle way. In tendai is a way to accept teaching one by one without arranging.…
…is our way. So you may understand through our Buddhist Traditional way of practice or understanding. So whatever text you read, there is Zen. So all those scriptures are the tools of Zen by which you will understand what is Zen. If you have eyes to read…
…Buddhist Traditional way of practice or understanding. So whatever text you read, there is Zen. So all those scriptures are the tools of Zen by which you will understand what is Zen. If you have eyes to read it, you know this is not just scripture, just…
…So whatever text you read, there is Zen. So all those scriptures are the tools of Zen by which you will understand what is Zen. If you have eyes to read it, you know this is not just scripture, just Buddhist Scripture. This is Zen text which you…
…will understand what is Zen. If you have eyes to read it, you know this is not just scripture, just Buddhist Scripture. This is Zen text which you should read. But there is no need to read all of those scriptures because there is no need to arrange it…
…making many temples. Bodhidharma said: no merit. In what sense is there a merit in reading a sutra or chanting a sutra or Zen Buddhism to seek is to read sutra we understand opposite it is actually. We practice our way. Let me explain this point. This…
…has come up in talking about western religious quest versus eastern religious quest and one thing that I've heard people say is that Zen is more interested in the individual alone and not so much in the society. On the other hand I hear you know,…
…than 30 years. And I found out that I was fooled by him you know, some 30 years ago. And you know he gave us some Zen story during sesshin time. We were sitting in cold, cold zendo for seven days at a hedge in the snow and we are you know very…
…One morning late Kumazawa Zenji at that time he was kannin, he was director of eheichi monastery came to zendo and gave us Zen story. He said: do you understand this story? He said: sparrow it's sparrow it's a sparrow. Sparrow broke a big stone gate,…
…solve during seven days sesshin. And he started to talk about it in very serious mood. I didn't like you know that kind of story, Zen story, so called Zen story. I feel as if wherever I read or hear Zen story I felt as if I was fooled by someone,…
…sesshin. And he started to talk about it in very serious mood. I didn't like you know that kind of story, Zen story, so called Zen story. I feel as if wherever I read or hear Zen story I felt as if I was fooled by someone, without giving not much…
…in each moment. That is the way. Don't think too much I will not help you. Thank you very much, doto roshi. Before I came to Zen Center I used to worry a lot, but things are better now. All of you seem to agree with me. Doto roshi, you said that…
…sutra was heard, had been observed or heard, had been told or has been told in India, had been told by some group like Zen center. Maybe Zen center had a special scripture which was called lotus we had lotus and we had many branches. And at the Sahara…
…had been observed or heard, had been told or has been told in India, had been told by some group like Zen center. Maybe Zen center had a special scripture which was called lotus we had lotus and we had many branches. And at the Sahara we will make…
…all what we see should be the lotus sutra. In this way we should understand lotus sutra. That is how we Zen Buddhists understand lotus sutra. So Zen Buddhists, Especially Zen, Actually arose from maybe tendai, but his teaching, but the difference between…
…the lotus sutra. In this way we should understand lotus sutra. That is how we Zen Buddhists understand lotus sutra. So Zen Buddhists, Especially Zen, Actually arose from maybe tendai, but his teaching, but the difference between tendai and Zen or Nichiren,…
…In this way we should understand lotus sutra. That is how we Zen Buddhists understand lotus sutra. So Zen Buddhists, Especially Zen, Actually arose from maybe tendai, but his teaching, but the difference between tendai and Zen or Nichiren, the other schools,…
…lotus sutra. So Zen Buddhists, Especially Zen, Actually arose from maybe tendai, but his teaching, but the difference between tendai and Zen or Nichiren, the other schools, they treat this sutra King, King of the King, the most important. But we do not…
…we should not read that by our mind. That is why they they explain the sutra in various models very similar to them and but Zen then does not depend on any super because everything is super. So we do not depend on any super at all. But a single…
…eyes you have right now as long as you have your eyes, as long as you have ears to listen to. You saw dogen Zen said the color of the mountains and sound of the rivers are shakyamuni buddha's. But you should be grateful for your teacher because he…
…people who practice with us but I'm not sure it helps others so much. I feel we have to go beyond accepting everything. Sometimes Zen practice seems too much like the palm of the bamboo which doesn't the shadows don't disturb the dust on the I stairs I…
…always. But anyway I will try to communicate with you. First of all, I am supposed to talk about our teaching. For you Zen is some special teaching, but for us Zen is Buddhism and not special teaching from other schools of Buddhism. So if you ask…
…communicate with you. First of all, I am supposed to talk about our teaching. For you Zen is some special teaching, but for us Zen is Buddhism and not special teaching from other schools of Buddhism. So if you ask me to talk about our teaching, what I…
…on the understanding which you will have after attaining the idea of emptiness or experience of emptiness. This is something like Zen. Zen extended this kind of idea by practice and brought this philosophical teaching into our actual experience. And how to…
…understanding which you will have after attaining the idea of emptiness or experience of emptiness. This is something like Zen. Zen extended this kind of idea by practice and brought this philosophical teaching into our actual experience. And how to bring…
…and brought this philosophical teaching into our actual experience. And how to bring this philosophical teaching to our life by practice is Zen. So in Zen School he taught to wipe up everything, every dust on the mirror, and to see everything on the…
…also the teaching of various schools too. So so far as the understanding goes, actually there is no particular school. But here Zen is not. You know, Zen School or Zen Buddhism is very much different from the other schools of Buddhism. The other schools…
…schools too. So so far as the understanding goes, actually there is no particular school. But here Zen is not. You know, Zen School or Zen Buddhism is very much different from the other schools of Buddhism. The other schools of Buddhism put emphasis on…
…so far as the understanding goes, actually there is no particular school. But here Zen is not. You know, Zen School or Zen Buddhism is very much different from the other schools of Buddhism. The other schools of Buddhism put emphasis on understanding, but…
…very much different from the other schools of Buddhism. The other schools of Buddhism put emphasis on understanding, but we Zen Buddhists put emphasis on practice, actual practice. So you know, Zen Buddhism is something different and why Zen Buddhism arises…
…schools of Buddhism put emphasis on understanding, but we Zen Buddhists put emphasis on practice, actual practice. So you know, Zen Buddhism is something different and why Zen Buddhism arises in china is something very important point we should know. Before…
…most important thing is to practice zazen in its true sense in the transmitted way from buddha to us, in Buddhism or in Zen we have had various problems to discuss, but after all we came to the conclusion that this practice is the most fundamental…
…we exist in this world this is where how everything exists here. This is zazen. So even though you do not enjoy the experience of Zen, Zen is Zen. So to practice zazen is also the goal of practice. Whether it is joyous or not joyous, it is the goal…
…exist in this world this is where how everything exists here. This is zazen. So even though you do not enjoy the experience of Zen, Zen is Zen. So to practice zazen is also the goal of practice. Whether it is joyous or not joyous, it is the goal of…
…world this is where how everything exists here. This is zazen. So even though you do not enjoy the experience of Zen, Zen is Zen. So to practice zazen is also the goal of practice. Whether it is joyous or not joyous, it is the goal of practice. There…
…to sit. That is what he is saying, so there is no problem. This is how to cut off the root of the problem. You may say Zen, Whatever you do, that may be Zen you know. So there will be no need for you to sit, even though you do not sit to have…
…saying, so there is no problem. This is how to cut off the root of the problem. You may say Zen, Whatever you do, that may be Zen you know. So there will be no need for you to sit, even though you do not sit to have breakfast, to sleep, to go to…
…moreover, our practice is not just to sit, whatever you do, that is zazen. Why? Because you know what is the true meaning of Zen. So for you, whatever you do, that is zazen. But for people who do not know what is zazen, even though it is actually…
…know what is zazen, even though it is actually zazen, but for other people who do not know what is zazen, that is not Zen for him only, but for us, whatever they do, that is zazen. We understand, as you understand, whatever you do that is zazen. So…
…the teaching itself because to have your own world is what the mantra means and prajnaparamita suprame. So actually you are practicing Zen. Zen and mantra is the same thing you know in this sense. So when you are under this, circumstance, in other words…
…teaching itself because to have your own world is what the mantra means and prajnaparamita suprame. So actually you are practicing Zen. Zen and mantra is the same thing you know in this sense. So when you are under this, circumstance, in other words when…
…the same thing you know in this sense. So when you are under this, circumstance, in other words when you are practicing Zen Mantra works. But when you are hopping around, looking around, seeking for something good, you don't want any mantra. Mantra does…
…this kind of people at all, you see. So that is why we do not talk about mantra to people who do not practice Zen. It doesn't work. Could I comment on ego strength and dissolving the ego? I have done a lot of thinking about that including psychology,…
…that has come up quite a few times is when students have been asked if they would work in the kitchen. They say that oh Zen is zazen I want to practice zazen I should be here not in the kitchen. Or some other student should be in the kitchen. Or…
…think of our cook who has been in the kitchen for four months without sitting in zazen, and somehow it seems to me that Zen is a whole life kind of practice that doesn't involve just zazen. But can you make some comment on that? Yeah this is very…
…you make some comment on that? Yeah this is very actually to explain it easy. You know, whatever you do it should be Zen. But actually this is very difficult. That is why we sit actually in cross legged position. This is the most direct, easiest way…
…people who are working in the kitchen actually, but those who work in the kitchen, if they think, if they work, the idea of Zen and kitchen work is different, that is. He is not. He does not deserve. You know, a person who is responsible for kitchen…
…That is why we practice zazen, do you understand? So our practice is based on the canon of various schools. So Zen includes, or Zen is based on all the Buddhism, all the schools, all the teachings of many schools. Zen is the result of many, result of…
…of various schools. So Zen includes, or Zen is based on all the Buddhism, all the schools, all the teachings of many schools. Zen is the result of many, result of effort of many scholars, many schools. Do you understand? Zen is not something special, in…
…the teachings of many schools. Zen is the result of many, result of effort of many scholars, many schools. Do you understand? Zen is not something special, in other words, Zen is not one of certain schools, Zen includes certain schools of Buddhism. If you…
…of many, result of effort of many scholars, many schools. Do you understand? Zen is not something special, in other words, Zen is not one of certain schools, Zen includes certain schools of Buddhism. If you understand Zen, you will understand other schools.…
…scholars, many schools. Do you understand? Zen is not something special, in other words, Zen is not one of certain schools, Zen includes certain schools of Buddhism. If you understand Zen, you will understand other schools. I guess that's a teaching. It's…
…something special, in other words, Zen is not one of certain schools, Zen includes certain schools of Buddhism. If you understand Zen, you will understand other schools. I guess that's a teaching. It's Zen not teaching. You can say teaching. In its wide…
…schools, Zen includes certain schools of Buddhism. If you understand Zen, you will understand other schools. I guess that's a teaching. It's Zen not teaching. You can say teaching. In its wide sense. Hi, yeah but the weather is cold. How can we concentrate…
…you are concerned in my talk. That is not my problem, your problem. So please study more. Not the problem of Buddhism, Buddhas or Zen. But there is no rule, you know. There are rules, but the rules are not always observed in the same way. Your practice…
…important among all of our scriptures and they organized systematically our scriptures from some certain viewpoint. And after those efforts Zen appeared and people started to realize how important it is to practice Zen. Because Zen, the true practice of Zen,…
…scriptures from some certain viewpoint. And after those efforts Zen appeared and people started to realize how important it is to practice Zen. Because Zen, the true practice of Zen, contains the true teaching of Zen. And at the same time it is actual…
…some certain viewpoint. And after those efforts Zen appeared and people started to realize how important it is to practice Zen. Because Zen, the true practice of Zen, contains the true teaching of Zen. And at the same time it is actual application of the…
…those efforts Zen appeared and people started to realize how important it is to practice Zen. Because Zen, the true practice of Zen, contains the true teaching of Zen. And at the same time it is actual application of the teaching for true Zen, Application…
…people started to realize how important it is to practice Zen. Because Zen, the true practice of Zen, contains the true teaching of Zen. And at the same time it is actual application of the teaching for true Zen, Application of the truth and to everyday…
…practice of Zen, contains the true teaching of Zen. And at the same time it is actual application of the teaching for true Zen, Application of the truth and to everyday life and truth itself teaching itself, is one, it is not different. So if so, it…
…It contains teaching itself the direct experience contains means, the true teaching itself. So if you want to know the meaning of Zen, it is necessary for you to study Buddhist teaching. But whether or not you study Buddhist teaching, if you practice our…
…of the teaching and that is at the same time the application of the teaching to your everyday life. So in this sense, Zen practice is not just to cross your legs and sitting in some certain position, it is also your everyday life, your activity in…
…in some certain position, it is also your everyday life, your activity in your everyday life. Whatever you do, that activity should be Zen. But Zen how to sit. But for us Zen is some instruction or some approach to true understanding of Zen or true…
…certain position, it is also your everyday life, your activity in your everyday life. Whatever you do, that activity should be Zen. But Zen how to sit. But for us Zen is some instruction or some approach to true understanding of Zen or true experience of…
…life, your activity in your everyday life. Whatever you do, that activity should be Zen. But Zen how to sit. But for us Zen is some instruction or some approach to true understanding of Zen or true experience of Zen. That is why we sit in cross…
…that activity should be Zen. But Zen how to sit. But for us Zen is some instruction or some approach to true understanding of Zen or true experience of Zen. That is why we sit in cross legged posture. But if you think about, if you understand the true…
…But Zen how to sit. But for us Zen is some instruction or some approach to true understanding of Zen or true experience of Zen. That is why we sit in cross legged posture. But if you think about, if you understand the true meaning of Zen, you should…
…Zen. That is why we sit in cross legged posture. But if you think about, if you understand the true meaning of Zen, you should study our teaching like a fundamental teaching, like teaching of our lower truth, or teaching of interdependency, or teaching of…
…versa. But in its true sense, if you understand directly what is Buddhism, it is necessary for you to practice Zen first and study intellectually some fundamental teaching through various scriptures. But in Japan, stimulated from European study of Buddhism,…
…so busy in theological study. Some people may say, even though you go to Japan, there is not much study, there are not many good Zen masters. It may be. True. It may be true, but it does not mean there are no good Zen masters at all. There are many…
…there are not many good Zen masters. It may be. True. It may be true, but it does not mean there are no good Zen masters at all. There are many pretty many good Zen masters. But if you understand what we have achieved in the field of theological…
…True. It may be true, but it does not mean there are no good Zen masters at all. There are many pretty many good Zen masters. But if you understand what we have achieved in the field of theological study, you will understand what we have been doing…
…Anyway this morning, for this reason, I want to give you some instructions, suggestions on how to practice. If you want to practice Zen, the most important thing is to do things, to practice it with your whole mind and body. You should be involved in…
…is to do things, to practice it with your whole mind and body. You should be involved in that practice completely. You practice Zen just to practice Zen not to attain something. You should be completely involved in the posture you take, the way you take…
…practice it with your whole mind and body. You should be involved in that practice completely. You practice Zen just to practice Zen not to attain something. You should be completely involved in the posture you take, the way you take breathing and with…
…you can. Most of you sit on your hip like this, like when you are driving your car. This is a very bad posture for Zen Students because you have no strength here. So even when you drive your car you should take this posture because your legs are long…
…confidence is necessary. When you fix your mind and practice that way, there you have renunciation, you have the true teaching of Zen, this practice. When you practice in this way we say you resume your original Face, Original nature. I already started to…
…practice in this way we say you resume your original Face, Original nature. I already started to explain the direct experience of Zen in the way of understanding the original teaching, but the purpose of my lecture today is not to talk about our…
…have no gate is true. Gate. We have no special gate. So from various angles you can study Buddhism but it is necessary to practice Zen. The practice is not even the gate, it is the center of the teaching, not gate. So from the center you may go out…
…study there may be some approach and some people may attach to some special gate or the best gate. That is not our way. So Zen practice should not be compared with some other approach. If you want to practice Zen it is necessary for you to do it even…
…gate or the best gate. That is not our way. So Zen practice should not be compared with some other approach. If you want to practice Zen it is necessary for you to do it even with a teacher at home you can do it. But if you understand what does it…
…when they want it. That is the purpose and to understand what they want it so you should be able to talk with them. That is Zen. I should not talk too much, I should summarize all right q thank you k and at the same time I wanted to correct the…
…not talk too much, I should summarize all right q thank you k and at the same time I wanted to correct the misunderstanding of Zen. Just to do something whatever you like is not Zen and it is not positive. We call it jin en ken gedo. Jin en ken…
…thank you k and at the same time I wanted to correct the misunderstanding of Zen. Just to do something whatever you like is not Zen and it is not positive. We call it jin en ken gedo. Jin en ken gedo means view of life, of natural things like love,…
…or practice of non existence, or practice of suppressing your emotional power or controlling your intellectual power. Did you understand? So Zen practice or middle way is the way which will be suppressing idea of negative or positive giving or taking. This…
…So Zen practice or middle way is the way which will be suppressing idea of negative or positive giving or taking. This is Zen practice, this is so called middle way, which can be both and which has validity in each moment, which is just right in…
…all those practices. There are many phases of one practice. So dharma practice and precepts observation is not two, just one. And Zen practice is also and also another another side side of that one practice. If so, there cannot be any gap between one…
…to the other. This is so called constancy or patience to be patient. Actually there is no need to be patient. If your practice of Zen is right, naturally you will be patient. So there is no need to try to be patient. If your practice is good and if…
…things, other superficial things, this kind of spirit, when you do something with this kind of spirit, whatever you do, that is Zen practice. There are many interesting stories about the cook in the kitchen. I think I have told you about this story.…
…and sitting cross legged position every morning and evening and in one or two months, after one or two months he may say: I studied Zen for two or for sixty days but nothing happened to me. I don't think it is time to go back to San Francisco. This…
…two or for sixty days but nothing happened to me. I don't think it is time to go back to San Francisco. This kind of Zen does not work. It means nothing. If you don't practice it with something, it is not Zen. When you have this kind of spirit, how…
…to go back to San Francisco. This kind of Zen does not work. It means nothing. If you don't practice it with something, it is not Zen. When you have this kind of spirit, how can you be angry so easily? It is. It is not so easy to be angry because…
…angry because your mind is caught by something superficial, trivial thing. You become angry when your effort is concentrated on the true spirit of Zen, true way of Zen. It is not so easy to be angry. So when I was at school, the head of the university…
…is caught by something superficial, trivial thing. You become angry when your effort is concentrated on the true spirit of Zen, true way of Zen. It is not so easy to be angry. So when I was at school, the head of the university always told us you…
…San Francisco which he was asked to come to because he knew English and there are very few Zen masters and there's two major Zen Sects there's Soto and Riga, and there's only about 20 Zen masters and less maybe 10 in Soto. And we were lucky to have…
…he knew English and there are very few Zen masters and there's two major Zen Sects there's Soto and Riga, and there's only about 20 Zen masters and less maybe 10 in Soto. And we were lucky to have him come here and he was only going to come for…
…exists and they built these buildings about 100 years ago, quarrying the rock themselves and we changed the buildings, put a large Zen do or meditation hall in the largest building, made a guest dining hall in one of the other buildings so that people…
…they have to book or courses? How physically do we go about all this before we get out of here with significance, Zen Monastery monastery is not such a good translation of the words that's used in Japan, because monastery in America usually means monastic…
…explains more or less the physical aspect of the situation. I take it that Suzuki Roshi will in fact be in residence at the Zen mountain center most of the time so that the students will come and go, but you will be more or less stationary. Is that…
…up. The Japanese Congregation in San Francisco Yes but they've helped us a great deal and we have two other priests: a younger Zen Priest, one who's in charge in San Francisco named maezuka and a new young, brilliant priest we've got from Japan who is…
…me ask you a question which may be completely beside the point. There have been a number of people who have lectured on Zen One among them Alan Watts, who I believe is concerned with this center also. There are places where in general the problems of…
…between there's some change in orientation going on in society which is at the basis for people when they first get interested in Zen or when they go to an Aslan encounter program or the other things of that interest. But once you're into the practice…
…or when they go to an Aslan encounter program or the other things of that interest. But once you're into the practice of Zen It's quite different, because we so thoroughly emphasize the identity of body and mind and though you practice in some sense with…
…maybe or something like that. I think that to fear that you've arrived at something is a completely mistaken idea. I mean Zen is completely against the idea that you ever arrive there's only this moment there's nothing you achieve there can't be any…
…mind is only capable of one or two things. The beginner's mind is open to everything and then it's much better to say that Zen is something which makes you ready for any activity so that if you are confronted with a world in which there are many…
…and I'm taking that if I'm more for individual freedom in some way then that's the kind of person I am at that moment the Zen Person becomes a person who responds and is at one with the situation moment after moment. So if he's in an evil society, he…
…about thinking and moving your body and life toward that orientation, then it seems impossible. But if you have some suggestion like Zen Buddhism, which is in a way it doesn't exist because ultimately it's a way of freeing you from all conceptions, all…
…to come in contact with Suzuki Roshi and with other teachers is really only for the first time possible in America through Zen mountain center. Otherwise, there's a few places where you meditate two or three times a week that kind of thing but with…
…should be. But if you do not know the point of the practice, even though you have good Zen master, you cannot study Zen because you cannot appreciate the true activity. If you know why you should practice zazen and practice zazen, you will find out the…
…of the practice or attachment to your activity, your activity is not Zen Anymore to you, only to you, but actually it is Zen. Actually, whatever you do, that is Zen, but for you, only for you who do something for others and for yourself, it is…
…your activity, your activity is not Zen Anymore to you, only to you, but actually it is Zen. Actually, whatever you do, that is Zen, but for you, only for you who do something for others and for yourself, it is not Zen because of you because you…
…you do, that is Zen, but for you, only for you who do something for others and for yourself, it is not Zen because of you because you inspire your practice with your attachment, with your dualistic idea, with your discrimination, by comparing your…
…you do or which someone else will do. But when you practice, when you do something, at least at that time, that is Zen practice. So actually, as he said, there is no particular enlightenment you will attain by means of some practice, because whatever you…
…as he said, there is no particular enlightenment you will attain by means of some practice, because whatever you do, that is Zen. If so, the mean to attain enlightenment is also through practice. So we should know why we spoil our practice and we…
…and we should know how we are able to practice our way without spoiling it. So as he said, verbal interpretation of Zen or any kind of teaching, written teaching, by means of those literature or talk or instruction only by means of those instructions…
…So you start to seek for something better and you are going round and round same place. Here is the translation of kanza Zen. Dogen zenji worked on for 20 years. Right after he came back from china he wrote this kanza Zen recommending the rules for…
…of kanza Zen. Dogen zenji worked on for 20 years. Right after he came back from china he wrote this kanza Zen recommending the rules for sitting. The true way is Universal. So why are training and enlightenment different? The supreme teaching is…
…of the universe. It is omnipresent and not contained in one part only. Its total activity is entirely independent. An enlightened Zen Scholar is one who understands this mystery and understands all ordinary circumstances, knows how to deal with it. Such a…
…would have been very pleased. Not mysterious, too obvious, too clear. So we sometimes call it reality, it is too obvious. So Zen is not mysterious at all. Right, thank you, thank you. Thank you. The appreciatory words. This is also interesting. That wild…
…ready to change your direction of effort. So this kind of concentration cannot be studied by usual everyday practice, everyday activity. Just Zen can do it. Through Zen you can have this kind of training. When you have some object, you know some object,…
…of effort. So this kind of concentration cannot be studied by usual everyday practice, everyday activity. Just Zen can do it. Through Zen you can have this kind of training. When you have some object, you know some object, somehow your effort is directed…
…on one way only. In that way you cannot understand how to change the direction of effort. But just by practice of pure Zen you will practice how to shift, make shift in your effort. In this scene our practice is concentrated to put more power in…
…power of training this much. If you have no pain maybe it is rather difficult for a beginner to appreciate the power of Zen. So the ancient disciples and teachers were ready to study true way in our everyday life. But hyakujo looks like he didn't…
…those people will be surprised or not surprised, but will be sad when they see true dragon because it is not so interesting. So dogen Zen said: don't be surprised at true dragon. But common as it is, if you know how common it is and if you know if…
…the wise and foolish. If you can only train hard, this is true enlightenment, training and enlightenment are by nature undefiled. Living by Zen is not separated from daily life. What she said is very you know common and Zen is for everyone. But you know,…
…enlightenment are by nature undefiled. Living by Zen is not separated from daily life. What she said is very you know common and Zen is for everyone. But you know, in every way you will find some unusual statement. Or the unusual activity of Zen master…
…continue. It's frightening. This is the joy of practice and it may be a good idea for us to read this this fukan kansa Zen Zazen, little by little. After zazen I will discuss how we should do with chino sensei later. Thank you very much. Thank you…
…before thinking, before we feel something. The way is quite different so you should not mix that Zen practice with some other practice. In Zen there are many functions for example as you know, to use to give shock, like a car, like a sound or to walk,…
…activity in session, we can communicate with the teacher I think you said. You also said the rock is silver, silent gold. In Zen we say a silent talk of demarcating his silence is more than an eloquent talk. What we will acquire by our practice, the…
…something which is very subtle and at the same time which is very great. This kind of mind, it's the mind, it's Zen mind. There have been many misunderstandings with the power of Hara. The power of Hara is not necessarily some supernatural power. The…
…to achieve something, to forget, to stop our mind which is working always outward. This is the most important point in Zen, the first paragraph, again, first paragraph of khandro Zen. The true way is Universal. So why are training and enlightenment…
…which is working always outward. This is the most important point in Zen, the first paragraph, again, first paragraph of khandro Zen. The true way is Universal. So why are training and enlightenment different? The supreme teaching is everywhere so why study…
…realize that the world of birth and death is the world of nibbana. The joyful mind is the volitional aspect of the Zen mind. The compassionate mind is the affectionate mind of the parents. Parents always think of the growth and welfare of their children,…
…three treasures is compassion that allows courage. These are nothing but the kind mind. The kindly mind is the emotional function of the Zen mind. The magnanimous mind is as big as a mountain and as deep as a sea. A man with the magnanimous mind is…
…scriptures because there is no need to arrange it vertically or horizontally. So if you open one part of the scripture, there is Zen. In this way we should understand our way and we should read scripture. When you can read scripture, you can find out,…
…mood. I didn't like you know that kind of story, Zen story, so called Zen story. I feel as if wherever I read or hear Zen story I felt as if I was fooled by someone, without giving not much reason for it. It's so, you know, they talk about something…
…cosmic scale in the cosmos is the teaching itself. So when we understand in this way, their teaching is very similar, very close Zen. So in shobo Genzo we have the fascicle of hoke tenboku. It means turning lotus and this title of the fascicle came from…
…short I must give a kind of conclusion to this lecture. In short, when we, if we talk, explain in this way Buddhism or Zen Buddhism is very, very maybe. What we are talking, discussing is too big and nothing to do with our everyday life. Whatever we…
…philosophical teaching into our actual experience. And how to bring this philosophical teaching to our life by practice is Zen. So in Zen School he taught to wipe up everything, every dust on the mirror, and to see everything on the reflection of the…
…see everything on the reflection of the mirror is our way. Or to erase everything from the blackboard and to write something on it is Zen and we continue this kind of activity: wipe it up and write something on it and wipe it up. But because I try to…
…of that previous activity. This is how I could explain, how I can explain what I have in my mind about our teaching of Zen. Now one by one, I want to explain this kind of double structure of our teaching to me. Everything real should be understood in…
…and which is always free from personal attachment, which is immutable. That is selflessness. Dogen the founder of Soto School of Zen, explained this point. You should not think firewood becomes ash. Firewood does. Not become ash you should not think firewood…
…understanding or to have direct contact with the reality is wisdom. And this direct contact, to have direct contact with the reality is Zen practice. I was going to say this question to you personally but it is so relevant to the discussion now and I…
…personally but it is so relevant to the discussion now and I kind of like the shirt. I am one of the students at the Zen Center who is seeing the freudian union that was just mentioned. You know like where it comes from to me it sounds like a rather…
…but we Zen Buddhists put emphasis on practice, actual practice. So you know, Zen Buddhism is something different and why Zen Buddhism arises in china is something very important point we should know. Before Bodhidharma came to china there were many…
…were many schools of Buddhism already. There were Duran School and tendai school and sanbon and some other schools of Zen and almost all the scriptures were translated and Chinese people studied Buddhist Philosophy very hard and established pretty well…
…this way the difference between Bodhidharma practice and mahayana practice or various mahayana schools of practice, even though they practice Zen, but the meaning of practice or way of practice or content of practice, it was quite different. According to…
…there is no need for us to depend on his teaching but directly we should practice as he did. That is starting point of Zen Buddhism and that is Bodhidharma Zen. So it is not, you know after you practice so many karpas of time that you are telling…