The points all of you
presented were like a jewel and gold. But we should make jewels and gold in its true sense. Something special. When we say
“something special” that may be jewels and gold. When we
say “something common,” that is also jewels and gold, to which usual
people attach. When we attach to them, that is not true jewels and gold.
What we are practicing here does not compare with anything else. No one can practice our way as we are doing at Tassajara. We have our own way, and Tassajara has its own way. If you start to compare gold with iron, jewels with stone, you will not understand what is jewels or gold.
Something common is valuable because it is common. Something is special is valuable because it is special. People may say to sit on top of the mountain is something which is special, and what we do in our everyday life is something which is common. But in its true sense, or in its absolute sense, there is no difference.
So I should like to be a good friend and good teacher of each one of you. Thank you very much. -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-04-23-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC
What we are practicing here does not compare with anything else. No one can practice our way as we are doing at Tassajara. We have our own way, and Tassajara has its own way. If you start to compare gold with iron, jewels with stone, you will not understand what is jewels or gold.
Something common is valuable because it is common. Something is special is valuable because it is special. People may say to sit on top of the mountain is something which is special, and what we do in our everyday life is something which is common. But in its true sense, or in its absolute sense, there is no difference.
So I should like to be a good friend and good teacher of each one of you. Thank you very much. -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-04-23-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC