Monday, January 6, 2020

Shikantaza

Tonight, you know, I want to explain shikantaza. We say “just to sit.” What does it mean by just to sit? Some monk asked a Zen master, “It is very hot [laughs]. How is it possible to sit somewhere where it's not hot or cold?”

The master's answer was, “When it is hot, you should be hot buddha [laughs, laughter]. When it is cold, you should be a cold buddha [laughs].”

That is “just to sit.” When it is hot, you should be hot buddha. When it is cold, you should be a cold buddha. 
 -------------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-07-24 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC