Student C: Why doesn’t the Soto school use the koan?
SR: That is some technique to give instruction. I shouldn’t say “technique.” Their way to give your zazen structure.
Student C: Does the Soto school have something?
SR: We use koan too. And actually, in Dogen Zenji’s Shobogenzo there are many, many koans. And there are many, many interpretation of koans, and his own answer to the koan. “My answer to those koan is like this,” he says. So, [laughs] we use koan too. We do not ignore koan. We do not ignore anything, precepts and Hinayana way and Mahayana way. But it is impossible to study everything, so according to the person and according to his character, you can study whatever you like. --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 65-12-11-A - as found on shunryusuzuki.com, from one of the newly discovered (2021) or recently significantly added to or changed lecture tapes. 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. Go to https://www.instagram.com/cuke_archives/ for more daily Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo