Everyone has buddha-nature we say. But you
cannot say, "Because everyone has buddha-nature, therefore..." [laughs] If you limit the
meaning of the statement, putting “therefore” or “because” [laughs], that is
not the ultimate truth. If you say “Everyone has buddha-nature, therefore [laughs]
there will not be any difference whether we practice zazen or not" you
limit the meaning, the original meaning of the statement by putting
“therefore.” You use the statement for your own excuse [laughs]. Everyone has buddha-nature. Period. That is how
to listen to the ultimate truth. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-12-17b speaking on Dogen's Gakudo-yojin-shu as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC - Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts on cuke.com - from there links to much more. - Go to cuke.com What's New [now at blogger] to see more daily posts.