In Japan

In Japan, Buddhists receive precepts-- we say jukai-- and everyone says, “I will keep it.” [Laughs.] And when I was young, you know, I thought this is nonsense. [Laughs.] How can they keep precepts, you know? When they go home they have to eat eggs, meat, even they eat rice, that is living being. They are killing everything as long as they live. How is it possible to say, you know, “I will keep it. I will not kill”? But later, you know, I was struck by them when they say, “I will keep it.” [I thought], “Oh, that is the way,” you know, “to keep precepts.”               --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki  lecture - 69-04-29 - 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. Got to https://www.instagram.com/cuke_archives/ for more daily Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.