Student JJ: Docho
Roshi, how is a person with no self-perception aware of himself as being a
person with no self-perception?
SR: No self-perception? Perception means the idea. No self-perception means no idea of self.
Student JJ: Then who is aware of being a person with no self-perception?
SR: Oh. Here again, “no” does not mean, you know, opposite of -- it is not just negation. It is strong affirmation: No. Usually “no” is opposite of “yes.” Affirmation. But in this case, “no” means like here [raps his stick once on a table or the floor]. Like this [raps] is “no.” When you say-- when you are making dispute “yes” [raps] or “no” [raps] -- someone who knows what it is actually-- NO! [raps loudly]. This kind of “no.” Both are not true. This is it [raps]. -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-04-23-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC
SR: No self-perception? Perception means the idea. No self-perception means no idea of self.
Student JJ: Then who is aware of being a person with no self-perception?
SR: Oh. Here again, “no” does not mean, you know, opposite of -- it is not just negation. It is strong affirmation: No. Usually “no” is opposite of “yes.” Affirmation. But in this case, “no” means like here [raps his stick once on a table or the floor]. Like this [raps] is “no.” When you say-- when you are making dispute “yes” [raps] or “no” [raps] -- someone who knows what it is actually-- NO! [raps loudly]. This kind of “no.” Both are not true. This is it [raps]. -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-04-23-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC
