In Japan, once a
year, we have general housecleaning [laughs]. On
that day, we take everything out [laughs]. We expel everything [laughs], even
Buddha shrine or Shinto shrine, you know. We take them out, and we clean
completely our house. In the same way, I think, this kind of cleaning is
necessary. Without this kind of effort, you pile up, you know, things one after
another. Then you will be easily caught by some same old way of life, you know.
So you cannot practice zazen in its true sense. When you have this kind of
spirit, you can practice shikantaza. ----------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-10-12-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. - DC
