No Special Person

We say, “evil desires,” [laughs], but it is another name of buddha-nature. For Buddha that is buddha-nature. There is of course, layman and priest [laughs]. Usually you understand in that way, but actually there is no particular person to be a priest, you know. Each one of you can be a priest, and I could be a layman. Just because I wear a robe I am a priest. Maybe because I behave like a priest, I am a priest. That’s all. There is no special person for priest or layman.

Tim Ford with Shunryu Suzuki at City Center Buddha Hall, maybe lay ordination ceremony 1970

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-20 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Two Sides

So “nature” or “outlook of things” are two names of one thing, one reality. Sometimes we say buddha-nature. Sometimes we say enlightenment or bodhi or buddha or attainment. But those are two sides of one reality. So, not only do we call it from those two sides, but also we call it, sometimes, “evil desire.”

Art by Paul Reps

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-20 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Featured Cuke Archives page

This is a talk I gave with the All Beings Zen Sangha in Washington DC on October 19, 2024. Inryu Ponce-Barger is the teacher of this group currently focusing on the Sandokai, an ancient Chinese Zen poem that is chanted at the SF Zen Center. I talk about being at Tassajara when Shunryu Suzuki lectured on it. Also, see this page on cuke.com for the Sandokai - DC. Listen to the podcast here.

When Something Appears

You think we have buddha-nature within ourselves as innate nature, and because of this nature we do things. That is the usual understanding of nature [laughs]. But that is not Dogen’s understanding. It is not like a seed which is there before the plant comes out. That is not a correct understanding of nature…Only when something appears, there there is nature.

From A Flora of Tassajara by David Rogers

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-20 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Nature Appears

When we say “buddha-nature,” you may think buddha-nature is some innate nature. In Japanese we use the same word—nature—buddha-nature. But actually, it is not nature like the nature of human beings or plants or cats or dogs. Strictly speaking, it is not that kind of nature. “Nature” means something which is there whatever you do. Nature is not something which is there before you do something. When you do something, at the same time, nature appears. That is nature.

Photo by Alain Crockin (Donn Deangelo)

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-20 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Way-seeking Mind

I think Kitano Zenji [giving up smoking] is a good example. I’m not trying to convince you to give up smoking, or something like that. But we must have that kind of way-seeking mind. Then your practice will be pretty good.

After John King's shuso ceremony at Tassajara, Fall 2000

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

To Give Up

Kitano Zenji was the head monk at Eiheiji Monastery. He told us how he gave up smoking. He told us he was a very bad smoker. But when he was traveling, he came across Hakone Pass in misty weather. So, sitting on the rock at the top of the pass, he took out a pipe and started to smoke. It is very good, as you know, to smoke in damp, misty weather. It was so nice that he was struck by the taste of it, and he determined to give up smoking [laughs, laughter]. That was his last smoke. Wherever he goes, even resting on top of a mountain after climbing up maybe eight miles, he didn’t lose the conviction of practicing zazen. “Oh!” [Laughs, laughter.] “I must give up!”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Accept

When you eat, for instance, you would rather eat something sweet and nice. But actually, whatever it is we should be ready to accept and eat, without saying, “This is delicious,” or “This is not so good.” When you want to have something more, you should come back to our conviction.

?, Sue Isaacson, Pam Chernoff, Georgette (Iva) Jones, Meg Gawler, David Cohn, Joe Cohen, Susan Wender, Terry Gragg

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Silas Hoadley began studying with Shunryu Suzuki in 1964. He was highly involved with the founding of Tassajara. Suzuki had Silas giving lectures there, and he would have received transmission if Suzuki hadn't died too soon. Silas was a much beloved priest in the SFZC. Listen to the podcast and read more about him.

RIP Sim Van der Ryn

Sim Van der Ryn, visionary architect involved with the SF Zen Center since the mid seventies, and dear friend, passed away on Saturday. Below is an invitation to join the memorial for him sent by his daughter Julie. - Farewell Sim. Thanks for the good times. - DC

Everyday Life

You should extend this kind of strong conviction to your everyday life. But we easily lose this kind of conviction. That is a very important point, and in your everyday life I want you to come back to this kind of conviction. Then your everyday life will be completely refreshed. But I think it may be your great problem that you haven’t this kind of conviction in your everyday life. This is a very difficult thing.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

When You Go Home

When I am talking to you, and when you are listening to me, I think you have that kind of strong conviction, and I have too [laughs]. But when you go home, what will happen? And when I am not talking, or when I am not practicing zazen with you, what will happen to me? That is the point.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Cuke Sandokai Page

 Here's a link to a page on cuke.com for the Sandokai

I'm posting that there now because I'm meeting with the All Beings Zen Sangha who'll be studying the Sandokai and which I said I'd talk about. - DC

Strong Conviction

You may understand how important it is to have a strong conviction to practice zazen. When you sit, “I shall never stand up from this seat unless someone tells me to stand up,” actually that is the way. Then, at that time, your practice is beyond space and time. How long, it doesn't matter. Wherever I am, it doesn’t matter. I shall never stand up unless someone tells me to stand up. That is shikantaza.

Photo by Tanya Takacs

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Time Zone for DC visit with All Beings Sangha

More recent photo DC cuke page

We got some questions about what time zone the 11am was in, it's Eastern; so 8am Pacific. From All Beings Zen Sangha: Saturday October 19, 2024, 11am EDT – Special Guest Speaker David Chadwick – David Chadwick, is author of Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki and Poobah of Cuke Archives which includes cuke.com, shunryusuzuki.com, Cuke Archives Daily Blog, and more. He says, “I rarely give talks. Mainly I like to talk with people. I’ll talk about the Sandokai and Suzuki Roshi’s talks on it. I can keep going solo but interaction is best.” Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 903814. (Online only.)

Direct Experience Based on Strong Conviction

In short, Zen will be understood by your direct experience. And if you want to have direct understanding, you must have some confidence, strong conviction to study it. “Whatever happened, I must understand it.” This is very important. “How long it takes it doesn't matter. I will study it.” Without this kind of direct experience based on strong conviction, you cannot attain enlightenment.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

No Need To Hear

Once Yakusan, the famous Zen master in China, was asked to give the monks a lecture. “It has been a long time since you gave us a lecture, so please give a lecture.” After Sesshin, he went up to the altar and came down, and went his room without saying anything. So, for him, one minute was enough. For me, it takes twenty minutes; for him, one minute. 

His Jisha asked him, after he went back to his room, “Why didn't you give them a lecture, some word.” And he said, “I am a Zen master. So I will not say anything. If you want to study Zen, you should listen to some Buddhist philosopher and he will explain it in detail. I am a Zen Master, and to practice with you is my vow. For me there is no need to speak, and for my students there is no need to hear a lecture.”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Special Guest Speaker David Chadwick

From All Beings Zen Sangha: Saturday October 19, 2024, 11am EST – Special Guest Speaker David Chadwick – David Chadwick, is author of Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki and Poobah of Cuke Archives which includes cuke.com, shunryusuzuki.com, Cuke Archives Daily Blog, and more. He says, “I rarely give talks. Mainly I like to talk with people. I’ll talk about the Sandokai and Suzuki Roshi’s talks on it. I can keep going solo but interaction is best.” Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 903814. (Online only.)

The Teaching Will Come In

Whether you understand a teacher intellectually or not is not the point. We say, when you attend a lecture, even if you are sleeping, it is all right. [Laughs, laughter.] It is all right because the teaching will come right into your home, through your nose, or skin. So, there is no need to listen with your ears. This is enough [laughs.] So, to listen with an empty mind is very important as you practice zazen.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Listen To

Zen is not something to study, maybe like you study science or philosophy. Zen is something to listen to. “Listen to” means with an empty mind, to accept the truth without seeking what your teacher says. Just listen to it with an empty mind. Then his words will penetrate into your mind.

Shunryu Suzuki, Richard Baker, Dan Welch, Peter Schneider and Chino-sensei behind Dan

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Featured Cuke Archives page

David talks about his recent month spent at Dharma Sangha's Zen Buddhist center in the Black Forest of Germany. The high point of the trip was the passing of the abbotship of Dharma Sangha from Zentatsu Richard Baker to Tatsudo Nicole Baden. Read about it and listen to the podcast.

Communicate

This kind of paradoxical statement [that is Zen, that is not Zen] could be understood just by your tummy, by your zazen, or else you don’t understand. That is how we communicate with each other, without sticking to words. You should directly communicate with each other, not by words. This is very important.

Etching by Mayumi Oda

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Talking

Actually, Zen is not something to talk about, and also it is something to talk about [laughs.] If you understand Zen in that way, your understanding will be perfect. If someone asks you, “What is Zen?” you may say, “Whatever you say, that is Zen.” And you may say, at the same time, “Whatever you say, it is not Zen.” [Laughs] both are true for us.

Suzuki talking with boys on the way to Tassajara

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-19 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Constantly

You should not interpret words always in the same way. It is how we study Buddhism. If we read the same word the same way every time, that is another mistake. So constantly, we must open our eyes, open our mind, and see the situation. That is the point.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Human Nature

Maybe human nature is understood in two ways. In comparison to buddha-nature, we say human nature in its humble sense and humble attitude. But when most people say human nature, they may think, because this is human nature [taps something repeatedly], there’s nothing wrong with having human nature for a human being [laughs]. So, I can do whatever I like! That is another kind of understanding of human nature. When we understand human nature in its more humble way, in comparison to perfect nature, then human nature makes sense. That is what we mean by human nature.

Shunryu Suzuki Ordaining Mel Weitsman

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Buddha's Desire

All the desires we have are actually limited, not perfect desire. We should know that. But when we don’t know that, we will get into trouble [laughs]. That is what I mean. The only perfect desire belongs to Buddha: perfect one which includes everything. Whatever Buddha does, it is all right because he is just one whole being [laughs]. For him there is no friend or enemy. What exists is Buddha himself.

Gandhara Buddha, Tassajara Zendo, October 1977

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Not Actually a Mistake

Student: Where did that mistake (the small self) come from? 

SR: That mistake? That is not actually a mistake, you know [loud laughter]. That is all right. But you may ask me why I say mistake. That is a one-sided view [laughs]. You don’t see things as it is because you stick to a one-sided view [laughs]. Okay?

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Alan Senauke is the abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center and author of Turning Words, Transformative Encounters with Buddhist Teachers. He has a long involvement with Buddhist peace work and music. The encore podcast tells about Alan's heart attack, coma, and recovery which has enabled him to return to teaching and lecturing while being confined to bed and wheelchair. Learn more in the intro to the podcast and at Caring Bridge and Go Fund Me. Listen to our podcast and read more about him.

CMZC Report on the Mt. Seat Ceremony of Tatsudo Nicole Baden

 A message from Crestone Mt. ZC about the recent mountain seat ceremony in which Zentatsu Richard Baker stepped down (on Friday Sept. 6th) and Tatsudo Nicole Baden stepped up to become the abbot of Dharma Sangha Germany and US.

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Ascending the Mountain Ceremony Our Gathering at CMZC

The Ascending the Mountain Ceremony Weekend was three weeks ago already, but the event, it's historical importance and the abundantly celebratory feel of it is still present for us, as we hope it is for Tatsudo Roshi and Baker Roshi. We bow deeply and also with great joy. While Genzan Brian DeCamp was in Germany, contributing and being present for CMZC on-site, those of us here joined remotely. We "participated" in as many of the events as we could, sending our gratitude and support to Baker Roshi and Tatsudo Roshi from afar. We were moved and inspired by the key, defining moments, by the depth of the greater Sangha, and by the connecting and re-connecting that was so palpable, even via Zoom. We were lucky to have Kōkyō Henkel, Dharma Heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson, here as a Visiting Teacher for some weeks that included the Mountain Seat Weekend. His two talks nurtured the understanding of our shared lineage, and he also was a guide as we witnessed each step of the Ascending the Mountain Ceremony. Thank you, Kōkyō. We thank all of those who made it possible to be part of the event remotely, and those who helped in any way to make the event so unforgettable.

No Small Self

Student: If things, as they are, are selfless, where does the small self come from?

SR: Actually, there is no small self [laughter], but you say [tapping stick on table] there is a small self. That is the mistake. We usually have that kind of mistake.

Image from CD Album Cover

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Yes and No

Student: Could you explain the part of the Heart Sutra that says, “No eyes, no ears, no nose?” 

SR: ...There is a nose, that is right, and there is no nose. That is also right. And “yes” and “no” [laughs]. You should understand in two ways: yes and no. That is complete understanding.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Control

Desire in its usual sense is always based on a selfish idea. When you think, “Nothing wrong to extend my desire,” if someone says you shouldn’t do so, then you will feel bad [laughs]—you will feel some restriction. That is control in its ordinary sense. But if you understand your desire as pretty selfish, then naturally you will limit your desire to some extent. That is not control. That is the way desire should be. There is a big difference.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Humbleness

First of all, we have to have wisdom to see things as it is. When we have no selfish ideas, we can see things as it is. So, we know what we are doing always, and we know that we are not perfect, and our idea is a one-sided idea. So, we have always room to accept someone’s idea too because we know that what we say or how we practice is not perfect. That is humbleness. That is how to accommodate our opinion to others’ opinions.

Ch’an Conference, 1976

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Ideas

When we realize ourselves, and when after reflecting on ourselves, and when we are able to see “things as it is,” whatever the thought may be is acceptable: “Capitalism is all right. Communism is all right. Nothing wrong with it.” But when our understanding is based on a selfish idea, and when we try to force our opinion on others, then, without reflecting on our way, and when we attach to our own idea, rejecting others’ idea, then our effort will end in a dead end [laughs].

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Zentatsu passes the mantle on to Tatsudo

The ZBZS Mt. Seat Ceremony Weekend

From late August to late September, I stayed a month at Zen Buddhistisches Zentrum Schwarzwald (ZBZS), the Zen Buddhist Black Forest Center of Dharma Sangha founded by Zentatsu Richard Baker. I stayed in Johanneshof, once a Steiner school, one of two neighboring places that houses the center. The other is a large house/shop building called Hoffhaus. It was my fourth extended stay there in 24 years. Every time it gets better. Most the time it was me, Zentatsu, a few staff older but younger than us, and mainly young students practicing there who were a pleasure to be with. The reason they kindly flew me there was the Mountain Seat Ceremony for Tatsudo Nicole Baden.