It takes time until we actually practice our way and extend our way in our everyday lives. So, there is no reason why you should try to attain something. Anyway, to continue our practice without giving up [laughs], that is the most important thing for you.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-08-25 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
We have been studying the same thing [laughs], over and over again—sometimes by the Prajnaparamita Sutra, sometimes by the five ranks, sometimes by the ten powers. But actually, these are various explanations of zazen power. If you extend our understanding, you will understand everything in the most meaningful and adequate way. That is called the “middle way,” the most appropriate way. And you will do something which is necessary when it is necessary, in the most adequate, appropriate way [laughs]. This is a very difficult practice. Someone who can do things in this way is a good priest [laughs], a good student.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-08-25 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
You should not be aware of your practice. That is the stage you will attain, where there is no feeling of practice—no feeling of your body or mind, no feeling of suffering, and no feeling of joy. You are just practicing without any problem [laughs]—without any pain.
Photo by Meiya Wender
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-08-25 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
When we understand our teaching or our practice, actually there is no teaching or no Buddhism [laughs], because whatever you do, that is Buddhism itself. But it does not mean if everything is Buddhism there is no need to practice our way [laughs]. That is wrong understanding. Only when we thoroughly practice, can we teach this understanding.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-08-25 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
We include all teaching, without abandoning the Mahayana. When we understand and practice our way, whatever teaching you observe, that is our Mahayana teaching. So, you cannot [laughs] abandon our Mahayana way. When you have true understanding of our practice, that includes all vehicles, without abandoning the Mahayana vehicle.
At inter-denominational outdoor Buddhist ceremony at Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, 1965.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-08-25 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Our teaching in its wide sense is everything. In its narrow sense, a teaching is something which was told by some sage. That is the teaching in its narrow sense. But in its wide sense, everything is the teaching for us: the color of a mountain, the sound of a river, even the sound of a motorcar is a teaching of Buddha. We understand in this way.
Photo by Gene DeSmidt
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-08-25 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Devotion to the Buddha’s teaching, and no attachment to anything—to anything. When you devote yourself to your practice, you will have the power of understanding through everything. You will have incessant practice because you observe the truth through verbal and non-verbal things. Because you strengthen your devotion you will hear everything as Buddha’s teaching. So, back and forth, you will practice our way endlessly. And, as Dogen Zenji said, without any trace of it, this kind of pure practice will continue forever, endlessly. This is the power we obtain through our practice.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-08-25 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
When you are doing something with calmness of your mind, with good concentration, without being involved in any prejudice, and without sticking to your own viewpoint, then you see things as it is. You know what people want, like Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. So, satisfying people with what they want, this power naturally will appear.
Art by Dan Welch
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-08-25 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
