Our inmost nature can help us observe precepts. When we understand our precepts as the expression of our inmost nature, that is the
way as it is. Then there are no precepts. When we are expressing our
inmost nature, precepts are not necessary, so we are not observing any
precepts. But on the other hand we have the opposite nature, so we
want to observe our precepts, or we feel we have to observe them. We
feel the necessity of precepts will help us, and when we are helped by
precepts that is also the blossoming of our true nature. So when we
understand precepts in this negative or prohibitory sense that is also an
expression of our true nature. So precepts observation has two sides. One
is negative and the other side is positive. And we have a choice of how to observe them.
—Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-06-29 - as found on
shunryusuzuki.com
edited by PF. Go to
instagram.com/cuke_archives or cuke.com/ig
for links to the full Shunryu Suzuki lecture and the source of the photo.
