You should be like a child who draws things whether they are good or bad. Sometimes you will do things without much reason. If that is difficult, you are not actually ready to practice zazen.
Monica Linde, Eliot and Lethe Walters, and Jane Westberg outside of the Tassajara school-house.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
In this sesshin I feel very sorry that I cannot help you so much. But the way you study true Zen is not through some verbal things. You should open yourself, and you should give up everything. Anyway, you should try, whether you think it is good or bad. This is the fundamental attitude to study.
Shunryu Suzuki lecturing in old Tassajara zendo 1967
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
If possible, we should give instructions one-by-one. But because that is difficult, we give some lectures like this [laughs]. But you shouldn’t stick to a lecture. You should think more about what I really mean. So, for the beginner, maybe instruction is necessary, but for advanced students, we don’t give so much instruction, and they should try various ways.
Fall Practice Period 1984
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
When I got up twenty minutes earlier than the handbell came, I was scolded. “Don’t get up so early! You will disturb my sleep.” Usually if I got up earlier it was good, but for my teacher it was not good [laughs]. When you try to understand things better, without any rules or prejudice, then that means selflessness.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Under bad circumstances you may easily give up. But in such cases, you should try hard. How should you practice, for instance, if you are very sleepy? “Oh, maybe better not to practice zazen. Maybe better to rest.” Yeah, sometimes it is better, but at the same time, that may a good chance to practice.
Drawing by Stan White
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
David Weinstein is the founding teacher of the Rockridge Meditation Community in Oakland, California and a therapist listed on the Psychology Today website. His path led to Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, India, Korea, Japan, Hawaii, and the Bay Area. Listen to our podcast and read more about him - http://cuke.com/f.
In morning time we clean our room. But we have not enough rags or brooms, so it is almost impossible for everyone to participate in our cleaning. So, under this circumstance, what you should do is to find something to do [laughs]. You may think, “There is nothing for me to do.” But there is, if you try hard to find out what you should do.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Each one of us must have each one’s own way. And according to the situation, you should change your way to find some appropriate way. So, you cannot stick to anything. The only thing we have to do is to find some appropriate way under new situations.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
We have perhaps too many students in this zendo. But even if a master has only two or three students, they will never tell you our way in detail.... There is no particular way for us, because each one of us are different from the other.
Tassajara Fall Practice Period 1975
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
The prior post with the drawing of the sleeping monk falsely attributed the art to Philip Whalen. That's been corrected but for those who read that already, the artist was Stan White who drew a zillion pieces along that vein. Check them out at the
Stan White cuke page with links to many of his drawings.
We found the culprit - a 2002 SFZC Wind Bell had that drawing attributed to Philip Whalen rather than Stan White. I see I'd hand written on that page "Sure looks like Stan White." - thanks Peter Ford
and thanks t0 Beverly Horowitz for the heads up
Some of you may try hard to study something if you like it. If you don’t like it, you don’t. You ignore it. That is not only a selfish way, but also it’s limiting the power of your study. So, you always live in a limited world. You cannot accept things as it is.
Drawing by Stan White
Stan White cuke page with links to many of his drawings.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
We found the culprit - a 2002 SFZC Wind Bell had that drawing attributed to Philip Whalen rather than Stan White. I see I'd hand written on that page "Sure looks like Stan White." - thanks Peter Ford
thanks for the heads up to Beverly Horowitz that we originally had attributed the drawing incorrectly to Philip Whalen.
Whatever you do, you will not waste your time. But when you do something with some limited idea or some definite purpose, what you will gain is some concrete thing which will cover your inner nature. So, it is not a matter of what you study, but a matter of gaining the faculty to see things as it is, to accept things as it is, to understand things as it is.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
It looks like a waste of time [laughs, laughter], but it is not so. That attitude [to study with no purpose] is important. If you continue to try to seek in that way, more and more you will gain power to understand things.
Joanne Kyger
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Teresa Rivera started reading books about Eastern religion while living in France. She found what she was looking for when she started sitting with Taisen Deshimaru's group in France. In 1973 she arrived at the San Francisco Zen Center. She practiced for years at Tassajara and Green Gulch. She just turned 90. Hear about all that and more in our podcast - http://cuke.com/f.
If some Zen master drinks a lot of sake, you may think the best way to obtain enlightenment is to take a lot of sake, and then you will attain enlightenment. But even though you take a lot of sake as he does, you will not attain enlightenment [laughs, laughter].
Group photo from Garuda - From left-to-right: Unknown, Karl Usow, Trungpa Rinpoche, Henry Schaeffer
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
If you want to study something, it’s better not to have any purpose—to study without knowing how to study or knowing what Buddhism is.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
When you are seeking for something, your true nature is in full activity, like someone who is in the dark seeking for his own pillow because he lost it. In the dark—so you don’t see anything, but you’re seeking for the pillow you lost. At that time, your mind is in full function. But if you know where the pillow is, your mind is not in full function. Your mind is acting in a limited sense. But if you don’t know where the pillow is, you are just seeking, and your mind is open to everything. In that way, you will see things as it is.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
If you are told something by someone, naturally you will stick to something you experienced or you understood. The moment you think you understand something, you will stick to it. And you will lose the full function of your nature.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
You should always try to find out what’s really meant by “buddha-nature” or by “practice” or by “enlightenment.” In this way, you will have a more subtle attitude towards everything until you understand things as it is.
Tassajara, winter-spring practice period 1974 - Mary Williams
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
In your zazen, perhaps you will have many difficulties or problems. But when you have some problem, it is necessary for you to try to find out by yourself why you have the problem. Before you ask someone, it is necessary for you to try to find out why.
Drawing by Stan White
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Myphon Hunt arrived at the San Francisco Zen Center in the early seventies after five years living at The Farm in Tennessee founded by Steve Gaskin. She spent some time in Dharamsala and Tibet, and studied with Joshu Sasaki’s group. She’s now living at the Enso Village retirement community. Listen to our podcast - http://cuke.com/f.
We shouldn’t be fooled by Nansen and Joshu, even though he said, “Everyday life is the true way.” If you are fooled by them, you will say, “Whatever we do, that is the true way. There is not any need to practice zazen. What is wrong with not practicing zazen? Even though we do not sit in a cross-legged position, that is the true way.” [Laughs.] If you understand in this way, you are trying to understand the koan literally without knowing what they really meant by that discussion.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Actually, what I meant is—you should practice zazen [laughs, laughter]. That is what I wanted to say. But you should practice it. You should be completely involved in your practice. That is what I meant in short. Then everyone will attain enlightenment.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
You may think it is nonsense for a Rinzai student [laughs] to come to Tassajara and practice shikantaza, but it isn’t so. Koan practice could be shikantaza. Shikantaza could be koan practice. Actually, if you really practice koan practice under right instruction, that is shikantaza. If you practice shikantaza under the right teacher, it will be koan practice. If you understand our practice, there are not two practices. Your practice is pointing one way. It looks like various ways because you understand it in terms of Rinzai or Soto, shikantaza or koan practice. You may say I am a Soto teacher, but actually, our way directly came from Buddha.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
There is no difference between everyday problems and koans. There is no difference between a bird’s or fish’s way and Buddha’s way. And there are various ways to attain that kind of true way experience which could be your own, and which will be different from each other’s way, and which is a quite independent way from other’s way, and at the same time which is the universal way for everyone. That is the true way. If so, how can I explain [laughs] what is the true way?
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
So, every day—when you accept even toilet-paper buddha, you have the true way. So anyway, the point is that you can accept things as it is, as you accept Buddha as your teacher. That is the true way. And as our patriarch and buddhas did it, it is possible for us to attain that kind of true way.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
The true way is not something you can achieve in terms of right or wrong, successful or not successful. The important point is to always have composure within ourselves whether we are successful or not. To have deep mind, to include everything within ourselves—that is the true way or dao.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Tim Ream came to the SF Zen Center in the nineties. He has continued his Zen practice, alternating between practice periods and periods of environmental activism. Listen to our podcast and read more about him and his new book - http://cuke.com/f.
True practice is not in the realm of, “This is true practice and this is not true practice.” True practice is beyond the idea right and wrong, and beyond experience, beyond human suggestion.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Nansen says if you try to follow the way, you will be far away from it. But what you will attain is something quite different. It is not something to describe. Maybe we call it emptiness. Or sometimes toilet paper. [Laughs, laughter.] Sometimes cats. Sometimes fox. Whatever it is, it is another name of something which cannot be described. That is true enlightenment. Only when you have it, then you may say, “everyday life is the true way.” Even toilet paper is the true way. Whatever you do, that is another name of the true way you have.
Art by Dan Welch
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
| In koan practice you try hard to attain enlightenment. In shikantaza we do not try to attain enlightenment. Or in shikantaza we have no time [laughs] to expect something. We have pain in our legs, and sometimes it may be very cold. So, to remain in the right posture is difficult. If you are involved in our practice with right posture, with good breathing, then you have no time to try to have a beautiful picture of enlightenment [laughs]. It is already hard enough to sit, and you have no other idea to have any imagination. So actually, what we will attain is the same. But what you attain is something completely different than expected. |
 Dan Welch, 1967 |
|
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version. |
|
Dogen Zenji says, “Try not to attain enlightenment. Just [laughs, laughter] practice it.” Even though you have some idea of enlightenment— like a beautiful picture, to attain, to realize, to actualize that idea, you practice zazen. What you get is a quite different thing. It will not be the paintings, you know. What you will get is something quite different. That is true.
Art by Michael Sawyer
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
To rigidly follow our way in order to attain some power or some enlightenment or experience may not be the true way. But while you are doing so, unexpectedly [laughs] your enlightenment will come to you. And that enlightenment is not the enlightenment you expected [laughs, laughter]. That will be how you will experience our true way.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Even if I explain what is the true way, and even if you understand what I say, that is not the true way. Only when you actually have that power to extend your experience to everyday life. Then, and without trying to observe our way, naturally, intuitively, when you are able to observe our way, that is true.
Shunryu Suzuki moving stones at Tassajara with Mike Daft and Bob Watkins on the right.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Joshu asked him, “How can I follow the way, if I don’t try to observe it?” Or in other words, “Is it possible for me to observe our way without trying to observe our way?” But Nansen said, “If you try to observe our way, that way is not the true way.” [Laughs.] How will you understand this point? It means that until you have some power or some experience of real practice, you will not understand what is the true way.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
by Rico Provasoli
Amazon link - Rico's cuke link
Rico Provasoli’s deceptive and charming book comes closer to describing the Buddhist Path and one’s enemy seeking to throw us off it, than anything I’ve read in a very long time. A brilliant carpenter, with a hair-trigger temper, afflictions everywhere he turns, skillfully acquaints us with the enemy lurking within each of us—our personal junk-yard dog needing to be tamed. Rico knows whereof he speaks. We’ve practiced Zen together for many years. Rico’s strategy for telling the story will allow you to recognize yourself in its pages, comfort you in your struggles for clarity and self-control, and entertain the hell out of you while you read. Don’t miss it.
~ Peter Coyote, Zen Buddhist priest, actor and author.
|
Joshu asked his teacher Nansen, “What is dao?”
|
 |
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
I am not trying to explain what is everyday mind or what is dao, but through this koan I want to give you some suggestion how to practice shikantaza. Actually, shikantaza and koan practice are not exactly the same, but there is not much difference. Shikantaza is more condensed practice, more essential practice, or fundamental practice than koan practice. The purpose of koan is same as shikantaza.
Photo by Meiya Wender
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
I want to talk about the famous koan between Nansen and his disciple Joshu. “Everyday Mind Is Dao.” I think you may know that koan. A koan is not something to explain. Why we talk about it is to give some suggestion about how to practice zazen. It is a suggestion. We don’t talk about what a koan means directly. We give you just a suggestion, and according to the introduction or suggestion, you work on the koan. That is how we explain koans and how you listen to koans.
Calligraphy by Michael Wenger
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-10 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
by Helen Tworkov
"An original work—timely, well written, knowledgeable observations on teachers and practice and our American culture, and a refreshing, if careful, honesty in her reflections, often introspective. several chapters could well become books in themselves, and the prodigious name checking almost demands an index. recommended reading!" - Gaetano Kazuo Maida - otherwise known as Tano.
From one of the central figures in Buddhism's introduction to the West and the founder of Tricycle magazine comes a brilliant memoir of forging one’s own path that Pico Iyer calls "unflinching" and "indispensable."Macmillan Publishers link | Amazon linkHelen Tworkov cuke page
When our attachment reaches to non-attachment, that is real attachment. So, if you attach to something, you should attach to something completely [laughs]. The sun-faced buddha, the moon-faced buddha! “I am here,” you know, “I am right here.” This kind of confidence within ourselves is important. When we have this kind of confidence in ourselves, in our being, we can practice true zazen, which is beyond perfect or imperfect, good or bad.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-09 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
So, “the sun-faced buddha, the moon-faced buddha” does not mean, “I don’t care if it’s the sun-faced buddha or the moon-faced buddha.” It means that the sun-faced [hits table with stick] buddha, the moon-faced [hits table with stick] buddha. We should enjoy the sun-faced buddha, the moon-faced buddha. It is not indifference.
(Joel Ash was a pen name for David Padwa)
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-09 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Father’s Day
June 16,2024 - 3-7 pm
Mostly Natives Nursery
54 B st, Point Reyes Station
California
With Love,
Amber Hoadley
Drew Simon and Priscilla
Whatever it is, the limitation has some meaning—not some meaning—it has absolute meaning in it. That is a most important point: for us to know limitation.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-09 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
We are almost reaching the moon now, but we cannot create human beings in their true sense. We can create robots, but we cannot create human beings. Human being is human being. We can enjoy our life only with our limited body and limited life. This limitation is a vital element for us. Without limitation nothing exists, so we should enjoy the limitation. Weak body, strong body; man or woman. The only way to enjoy our life is to enjoy the limitation which was given to us.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-09 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
When I die, the moment I am dying, if I suffer, that is all right, you know. That is suffering buddha [laughs]. No confusion in it. Maybe everyone will struggle because of the physical agony and spiritual agony too. But that is all right. That is not a problem. We should be very grateful to have a limited body like me and like you. If you had limitless life, it would be a great problem for you [laughs].
Green Gulch Farm memorial for Suzuki
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-09 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
Whether I am at Tassajara or Sokoji, that’s no trouble. [Laughs.] Should not be any trouble. Even though I die, with me it is all right, and with you it is all right. And if it is not all right, you know, you are not a Zen student. [Laughs.] It is quite all right. That is buddha.
Shunryu Suzuki's last public event.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-09 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.
