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Tuesday, September 17, 2019

teacher

Student BB: Docho Roshi, when you are our teacher, I feel like you have nothing to teach. But you stay in this world and suffer along with us. And I'd like to ask you why, but that's a very foolish question. And I-- I think that you just sit and wait for us.

SR: Sit and what?

Student BB: Sit here at Tassajara--

SR: Uh-huh.

Student BB: -- and wait for us--

SR: Uh-huh.

Student BB: -- and I'd like to thank you.

SR: Yeah. I don't want to be your teacher, you know, in its usual sense, because with your idea of teacher you cannot find your teacher in its true sense. That is why I say I am not your teacher always. All right? But we are actually practicing with you. That is my responsibility. 
  -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-04-23-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC