Before Buddhism they practiced asceticism for their future, you know, good life: to be born in some place where they have lot of enjoyment or a more perfect world. That is a kind of extended selfish practice. But our mortification is not based on selfish desire. The purpose of our practice is to control our desires so that our desires find their own place and act properly. --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 69-04-08-bn - 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.
