Consideration

Even though this is very hard [referring to his stick], you cannot drive a nail with it [laughs]. Then you would lose the beauty of the material. So, this is not just material, it has meaning in it, and it has some way to be used. This kind of consideration is necessary in our life. Accumulating careless ways of treating things will result in a big evil. If each of us treat things in the right way, no evil can arise in this world.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Upside Down

When you find beauty in it, when you find necessity in it, when you find truth in it, when you find some good meaning in it, all those will make the absolute value which we need. The value is not just material value; when you find beauty in it, you cannot turn it upside down [laughs]. Even if you put it upside down, it will not be destroyed. It has material value [laughs], but if you only use it in this way, it is not beautiful anymore.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

True Value

So according to their nature, or according to their form, we should treat things as they are. Then we will realize the true meaning of existence. Nowadays we are usually caught by material value or exchange value, [laughs] so you do not realize the true value—the true value of existence. The true value is not just material value or exchange value.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Our Way

Anyway, if you want to realize what Buddha Nature is, some limitation is necessary. We say absolute freedom, but that absolute freedom does not mean to ignore the value of things and mix things up. To make some classifications and to do things in the right way, in an adequate way, is our way. So, we have to pay careful consideration in our activity. If you think this is just material, you do not treat it carefully. If it is a living being, you cannot treat it so carelessly [laughs]. But all existence is a living being in some form, or with some nature.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

A Flashing

When you practice Zen, the quality of the practice includes everything, and when you do something, the quality of the activity includes everything. So, Dogen Zenji says it is temporal flashing into the vast universe. Each activity we take is just a flashing into cosmic reality. So, in this way there is no discrimination, there is no good or bad.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Same Quality

You may say, “This is a short temporal activity,” and “This is a long period of practice,” but actually we don’t know which is longer and which is shorter. You cannot compare the two—they have the same value, same quality. So, you cannot discriminate which is good or bad—it is the same thing. Whether or not you understand it, each activity is the expression of our true nature. It isn’t different from zazen practice in its true sense.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

https://cuke.com/f

Each Activity

When you practice zazen, without doing anything, just concentrating on inhaling and exhaling, there you express the dark side of reality. When you do something, it may be said that is the bright side of reality, but actually each activity is the same as the practice of Zen because each practice in the smallest particle of time is the same as your long periods of practice in a cross-legged posture.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Zen Practice and Everyday Life

So, in our practice, actually, there’s no difference between universality and specialty. When you do some special things, you express your Buddha nature there. So, we do not try to escape from this world, this phenomenal world, to some special world. We should find out the true meaning of life in our everyday life. That is our way. If you understand this point, there is no difference between your Zen practice and everyday life.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

In the Right Position

When you put something as you should in a higher place, you will find universality in that existence. If you mix things up, it means you treat things only as material objects, you do not find any value in them. You treat them just as material. But when you put things in the right position, you will find their meaning and value.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Universality

Where there is some limitation, there is universality. This universality is not just an idea. This universality has actual meaning. Or we say that it has validity. Universality must result in some actual value. So, when we do some particular thing, in that special activity we will find universality as an embodiment of Dharmakaya Buddha.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Some Limitation

In the monastery it says, “In the darkness, there is brightness, in the brightness there is darkness.” You will find darkness in your practice can bring another bright side into your life. In that case some limitation is necessary. We should do different things at the right time in some certain way. We cannot mix up things. Things which you should put higher, you should put in a higher place. The things which you should put lower, you should put in a lower place. This is our way.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-02-18 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Other Shore

This is the wisdom of Prajna Paramita, wisdom to cross this shore to the other shore. So, on this shore, there’s the other shore. On the other shore, there is this shore. When you have this wisdom: this shore is the other shore, and the other shore is this shore. This is called perfect wisdom. So, it’s said, this is the supreme mantra. And so the most important point of the Prajna Paramita Sutra is emptiness, or “not,” or “no.” If you understand this “no,” or “not,” you will have prajna paramita, the wisdom to cross this shore to the other shore.

Painting by Mike Dixon

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

https://cuke.com/f

Frog

Do you know Sengai’s picture of a frog? “If we can obtain Buddhahood by sitting zazen…” [laughs] the frog says. The frog has enlightenment [laughter]. You may laugh at the frog [laughs] who thinks, “I can attain enlightenment by my sitting posture.” You are laughing at him, but he may laugh at you. You may say, “Just by sitting, how is it possible to [laughter] attain enlightenment?” I don’t know which is laughing at which. So even the frog has enlightenment when he sits like this. We cannot laugh at him. But if we practice zazen in a cross-legged position in order to attain enlightenment, that is worse. You are worse than a frog [laughs].

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Each Step

It is not by advancing step by step that you attain enlightenment. You cannot arrange your steps to reach enlightenment. Each step is independent practice, and with each step there must be enlightenment. When you devote yourself to only one step, there is true understanding of that teaching. So, it means you have enlightenment. When you try to arrange it, you will lose the essence of the teaching.

Found in The Way of Eiheiji booklet

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Bill Porter Interview

Video interview with John Kain on Lion's Roar, How translator Red Pine (aka Bill Porter) “Dances With the Dead”

Bill Porter's page on cuke.com

Each Teaching Is Independent

When there’s no need to say anything about a relationship, there is reality. But usually, we arrange teachings in some system. This teaching is for babies. This teaching is for boys, and this teaching is for girls. This teaching is for beginners; this teaching is for advanced students [laughter]. Arranging teaching in this way is not the true way. Each teaching is independent. You should not compare the teaching you have with someone else’s teaching. This is for me an advanced student [laughs], but this is the teaching for some beginners, not for me. This is a very poor kind of understanding. Whatever the teaching may be, the teaching you have heard is your teaching.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

“I”

So, when we say “form,” period, that is all. When we say “emptiness,” that is all. There is no comment. “I,” that’s all [laughs]. No “you.” When I say “you,” that’s all. No “I.” It is not after communicating “I” and “you,” true intimate understanding between us. When I become just “I,” you become “me.” When you become just “you,” I become “you.”

Photo by Paul Kagan

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Stone

You can get rid of the idea of emptiness too. So, it means to have direct experience of your life, without having an idea of “no” or “yes.” This point is very important. When you become you through and through—we say, when stone is stone through and through, that is real stone. That is not just stone.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Persimmons

[Referring to the concept of detachment] If you put a notice on a persimmon tree, people will be interested in that tree, and they will try the fruit to see if it is sweet or not. So, the best way is not to say anything about the trees [laughs]. Then no one will come. No one will be interested [laughter]. If it’s said this is sweet or bitter, you will be interested in that.

Image by © Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

https://cuke.com/f

Form Is Emptiness

When we say, “form is emptiness,” I think you understand that. You may understand form is emptiness, means detachment. If form is emptiness, we should not be attached to any certain form. That is true. But you have the idea of detachment, you know [laughs], so that bothers your true understanding of detachment.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

At That Moment

In this sutra it says, “form is emptiness and emptiness is form.” And “sensation, thought, and our active substance, our consciousness also are emptiness.” It means we have to have actual understanding of our forms and sensations, and thought, and consciousness. It means we must have true practice, and we have to find the reality in the various activities of our mind, and in our physical activity. Whatever we do, at that moment, we should realize our way.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

City Center Event

Book Reading of Return to Our Senses: A Path to Stability in an Unstable World

by Lee Klinger Lesser

at City Center

October 16, 2026 / 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Return to Our Senses offers a life-changing invitation to come home to what is most reliable and intimate: our direct, embodied experience. In a time marked by turbulence, speed, and chronic uncertainty, this book presents the somatic mindfulness practice of Sensory Awareness as a practical and deeply humane antidote to disconnection and overwhelm. This evening will include readings, stories, and an opportunity to practice together. This is a free public event.

https://www.sfzc.org/calendar/events/city-center/book-reading-return-our-senses-path-stability-unstable-world-cc-1016

Return to Our Senses: A Path to Stability in an Unstable World - on Amazon.

Spirit

You should have transmitted spirit from Buddha because you cannot understand your practice just by sutras or teaching. Without the spirit to continue your effort, you cannot be a Buddhist.

Marcus Hartsfield

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Each of Those Experiences

How we practice zazen, how we study Zen is by finding our own practice under various circumstances. So sometimes we will have difficulties, sometimes we will have joy of practice, but each of those experiences is Zen practice.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Merit

Actually, there is no need to talk about the merit of Zen practice. Talking about the merit of Zen would encourage the wrong understanding of practice. When you do it—just do it—you have enlightenment.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Concentrate on Your Practice

When you do your best, there is emptiness, there is enlightenment. When you are practicing Zen, in between good and bad practice, between enlightenment and practice, that is not our practice. When you just concentrate on your practice, that is enlightenment.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

https://cuke.com/f

A Slap

“No good” is not actually no good. “No good” is very good [laughs]. But you should not accept it in terms of good or bad. You should accept it as a real slap [mimics slap] — “No good!” Then you will realize yourself in a true sense.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

No Good

Usually, we say even though your zazen is not good, that is true zazen. “Don’t worry,” [laughs] we may say. This may give you some encouragement, but in its true sense, when the teacher says this, we are not so kind. When I want to be kind to you, I should say, “No, that’s no good!” [laughs]. That may be better to encourage you. If I say, “That is good,” then you may give up your effort. Nothing will come from your practice. But when we say, “That’s not good,” then something will come up from that “no good.” So, “no good” is very important.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Do Your Best

Don’t be concerned about what your teacher may say about your practice. He may say, “Your practice is not good!” [Laughs.] He may say so, but it’s all right. You have to do it; you have to sit with all your strength. You have to do your best.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Just Sit

So, when you practice, the way of true practice is not to attain enlightenment. Anyway, you should sit through and through without having any idea. Don’t be concerned about enlightenment [laughs]. You should just sit.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.

Also, this sutra says, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.” Form is emptiness. Emptiness is to point at the form itself. When we say, “Form is emptiness” it means form is form, through and through. “Emptiness is form,” it means emptiness, through and through. So, form is nothing but emptiness. Emptiness is nothing but form.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Right Understanding of Practice

It is not after you practice zazen, that you attain enlightenment. So, enlightenment includes practice, and practice includes enlightenment. This is the right understanding of our practice. And right understanding of reality.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

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At the Same Time

You do not attain enlightenment after Buddha, or before Buddha. When you attain enlightenment, Buddha attains enlightenment, and the rest of the patriarchs attain enlightenment at the same time. This is the right understanding of enlightenment.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

When Each Experience Includes Everything

Everything which will happen in your mind is not a part of your experience. Each of your images or functions is mind which includes everything. And so, each experience is independent from other experiences. And when each experience includes everything, every experience, that is Zen practice. That means you have independent practice, one whole practice which includes everything.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Mind

When we say, “mind,” mind includes everything. That is a true understanding of your mind. Mind includes everything. So, in your practice, if you have a mind that is related to something else, that is not a true understanding of your mind. When you say, “mind,” mind should include everything.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Everything

When we say, “nose,” nose covers everything. When we say, “eyes,” eyes covers everything. That is the way to understand things in its true sense. When you understand something as a part of something, you lose the reality. You lose the relationship between things, and you just get a dead idea of something. So, our understanding of everything is not everything as a part of something. Everything includes the rest of the things. That is true understanding.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Each Activity Includes Everything

When you drink tea, you should not listen to a lecture [laughs]. I’m sorry, but it is true. When you listen to a lecture, you just listen. That is our way. We cannot do two things at one time because each activity includes everything. When you take tea, it means that taking tea, is all of your activity, and it covers everything. This is our practice.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Liberation

It is a kind of rhetoric, but in those sutras, “no” means liberation. Sometimes it is literally negative, but most of the time, it means a strong affirmation. This understanding is rooted in our practice.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

https://cuke.com/f

Negative Form

Sometimes when you see a saying written on a scroll, you may wonder what it means. For instance, “A cloud hangs on the mountain, and it is not calm.” “Not calm” means very calm. When the cloud is at the foot of the mountain, it expresses the same calm feeling, but in the poem it says, “not calm.” “Not calm” is a kind of rhetorical negation. Sometimes when we want to say something in a strong way, we put it in a negative form. “Isn’t it?” means “it is.” Instead of saying, “It is,” you say, “Isn’t it?” That is a stronger expression than “it is.”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Beginner's Mind for Piano

From Walter:

I'd like to let you know that the Vinyl of my composition BEGINNER‘S MIND for Shunryu Suzuki is available at the San Francisco Zen bookstore. But moderecords also distributes it on bandcamp.

https://www.cuke.com/zmbm/bm-song.htm

https://moderecords.com/catalog/346zimmermann/

Sweet

So, in Buddhism, “no” means reality, and sometimes when we put emphasis on something, we say, “no.” When we want to say, “This cake is sweet,” you know, sometimes we say, “This cake is not sweet.” “Not sweet” means “very sweet” in Chinese [laughter]. Also, in Buddhism too.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

No Nose / Nose

Sometimes “no” means to put emphasis on something. “No nose” means “that is nose.” The same thing. When I say, “no nose,” this is a stronger expression of your nose. If I say, “You have a nose,” you will think, “Of course I have a nose!” [Laughter.] If I say, “You have no nose,” you will be surprised. “Oh, is it really so? I have a nose.” Then you will realize what your nose is in its true sense. So, “no nose” means “you have a nose.”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Pointing at Reality

“No nose” points at actual understanding or reality—the reality of nose. So, it is the same thing to say, “no nose,” or “no ears,” or “no eyes.” When we say, “no eyes,” it points at reality. When we say, “no nose,” we point at reality. When we say, “no mouth,” we point at reality.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

No Nose

If you say, “This is nose,” you lose your reality of the nose. So, when we want to express what is actually nose, the best way is, “That is not your nose.” [Laughs.] That is maybe the best way. When you think, “Oh, this is not just a nose, something more than that,” then you realize the reality of the nose. So, we say, “no nose.” No, that is not nose or no nose. When we say, “no nose” we realize what nose actually is.

Image modified by ChatGPT

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.