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.

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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.