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Thursday, February 28, 2019

Society

Student: I have something that has come up in talking about Western religious quests versus Eastern religious quests, and one thing that I've heard people say is that Zen is more interested in the individual alone, and not so much in the society.

SR: [Laughs]. You know, on the other hand, bodhisattvas say, you know, "I will not rest until all sentient beings are saved."

Student: What is Zen's concern with society as a whole?

SR: Society, as a whole?

Student: You know, or all of the people in the country. Or, all of the people in the world.

SR: All over the world...

Student: Everyone being...
SR: All beings including stone, and trees, and everything, you know, that is our way. Not only human beings. That is, you know, so we are not intensity?? individual practice, so-called it individual practice. We do not acknowledge any self, you know. --------------------------------------------------  Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki question and answer- 68-00-00-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC