It is almost impossible to talk about what is
Buddhism.
So just to do it is the direct way. KKKK! [shouts]. If you do not understand it we will use this one! [his stick] How is it? That is the best way to communicate. Our way is very direct. But that is not Zen, you know. It is not our traditional way, but we find it easier to express it in this way. When we want to express it, but the best thing will be just to sit without saying anything. Then you will have the full meaning of it. Even though you use this one [his stick], it will not be enough. If I use it until I lose myself, or until you die, still it is not enough. The only way is to sit without saying anything. Here we have the full meaning of traditional Zen. This kind of practice is our practice, so our practice is not just to attain some stage.
So just to do it is the direct way. KKKK! [shouts]. If you do not understand it we will use this one! [his stick] How is it? That is the best way to communicate. Our way is very direct. But that is not Zen, you know. It is not our traditional way, but we find it easier to express it in this way. When we want to express it, but the best thing will be just to sit without saying anything. Then you will have the full meaning of it. Even though you use this one [his stick], it will not be enough. If I use it until I lose myself, or until you die, still it is not enough. The only way is to sit without saying anything. Here we have the full meaning of traditional Zen. This kind of practice is our practice, so our practice is not just to attain some stage.
Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-01-05 as found on shunryusuzuki.com - - Excerpt edited by DC This lecture became Traditional Zen Spirit in the book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, p. 99
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