Student A: Then I'm confused about the meaning of the word “buddha,” because we talk about the last buddha being Shakyamuni and the next being Maitreya. Do we understand that the understanding of Bodhidharma or the Sixth Patriarch or Dogen Zenji allowed them to become buddhas? Can we say that those people attained complete perfect enlightenment?
SR: Uhhuh.
A: Then why don't we call them buddhas also?
SR: Dogen Zenji Buddha. We say “buddha” or “zenji” or “busso.” So means patriarch. The way we name them is different, but what we mean by “buddha” and “patriarch” is the same. When we point them out, one by one, as successive teachers, then we call them Patriarchs-- first, second, third, etc. But they are all buddhas. So they are not different, but what we call them is different. --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-10-00-B 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
