Student R [Frances
Thompson]: Docho Roshi, this leaf is an exquisite construction. It has ribs to
hold it out into the sunlight. It's made of two layers of cells. The upper
layer is smooth and even. The under layer has many tiny holes through which
carbon dioxide is absorbed. In a chemical reaction in the sunlight, the carbon is
removed and oxygen is released through the tiny holes into the air which we
breathe. If there weren't green plants on earth, there would be no animal life.
We wouldn't be here. There'd be no air to breathe. Is this leaf an illusion?
SR: Yeah. There is leaf. That is not illusion. But maybe what you said may be illusion because what you said is not good enough to describe. I am sorry.
Student R [Frances Thompson]: But maybe if I could really understand the leaf-- the First Principle of the leaf-- the other things would still be true, wouldn't it?
SR: Yes. Yes. -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-09-00 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. - DC
SR: Yeah. There is leaf. That is not illusion. But maybe what you said may be illusion because what you said is not good enough to describe. I am sorry.
Student R [Frances Thompson]: But maybe if I could really understand the leaf-- the First Principle of the leaf-- the other things would still be true, wouldn't it?
SR: Yes. Yes. -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-09-00 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. - DC