Zentatsu to be Discharged from UCSF Hospital

Zentatsu Richard Baker recovering well from the stroke he had on May 18th, Shunryu Suzuki's birthday, and will be discharged from UCSF Hospital on the 21st Wednesday. The doctors say he's healthy but it's not good for him to travel. He'll be staying at the SFZC City Center. Nicole Baden will be there too. Paul Rosenblum is with him as are family. He's had visitors and is in good spirits. it seems the stroke hit his speech center so he'll be doing some therapy for that.

Within Ourselves

For us to work on something or to help others is to do things within ourselves. Our effort is concentrated within ourselves. According to the sixth patriarch it is the activity of our true nature within. In the realm of true nature we do things, not outside of our mind. All that we do is the activity of our true mind, which is not dualistic. By mind he means Big Mind, not selfish mind.

Putative mummy of Sixth Patriarch’s body

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Without an Idea of Self

If our life is based on an idea of self, what we do will not be successful in its true sense. You will be successful in one way, but in another you will cause some conflict. So, to work without an idea of self is very, very important. It is much more important than making a good decision. Even when you make a good decision, if that decision is based on a one-sided idea of self, what you do will create some difficulties for yourself and for others.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Zentatsu Recovering from Stroke

 

Zentatsu Richard Baker is in Marin General Hospital recovering from a stroke he had at Green Gulch this morning. His dharma heir, Tatsudo Nicole Baden, and family are with him. He's smiling and "cognitively clear." No paralysis. All healing thoughts and prayers go out to Zentatsu to whom I am profoundly grateful..

Featured Cuke Archives page

Barbara Horn came to the SFZC in the mid seventies, practiced Insight Meditation with Jack Kornfield at Barre, Mass., studied cooking with Julia Childs, got a graduate degree in mediation and interfaith chaplaincy. She volunteered for the 911 rescue and recovery effort and founded Calling of the Names - callingofthenames.org. Listen to the podcast and read more about her.

Silent and Calm

To remain silent and calm is a kind of test we receive. 

If you can remain silent and calm, it means you have no idea of self.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Work

To work on something is not difficult but not working on anything is rather difficult. When we have an idea of self, we cannot stay still. Because we have an idea of self we find a reason why we work on something. But if you do not have any idea of self, you can remain silent and calm as you work on something. You will not lose your composure whether you work or not.

Sandy Watkins working with Chino Sensei

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Just To Sit

Most of you are beginners, so it may be rather difficult to understand why we practice zazen in this way. We always say, “just sit.” That’s all we say. But if you sit, you will find out Zen practice—just to sit is not so easy. Just to sit may be the most difficult thing.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Day by Day

You should just say, “Yes, I will” [laughs]. That is the secret of observing our precepts, and that is how you follow our rules. Then day by day your practice will mature.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Tatsudo Nicole Baden is a Dharma Successor of Zentatsu Baker in the Dharma Sangha Soto Zen Lineage. Last September Richard Baker passed on the abbotship of Dharma Sangha in Germany and the US to Nicole. In this podcast she will be talking about the Launch of the Dharma Academy with a free and open event on the weekend of May 23-25, “Engaging the Heart of Wisdom: Pathways for Meeting Uncertainty.” Participating dharma teachers include Zentatsu Richard Baker, Joan Halifax, Jiryu Rutschuman-Byler, Valerie Brown, Ryuten Paul Rosenblum, Rahshaana Green, Sarabinh Levy-Brightman, Ravi Welch, Lien Shutt, and Tatsudo Nicole Baden. Learn more about the event and sign up at courses.dharmaacademy.com/launch-event. Listen to the podcast and read more about her.

Pretty Good

Bodhidharma at first did not accept his disciple’s practice. But after he tried very hard, and he gave up the practice of perfection—then, okay he’s pretty good. His practice was mature enough. So, he didn’t say anything.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Same Quality

The moon in the sky, the moon in the water; it is the moon. It has the same quality. Although it is small, even a bodhisattva mind of the moon is there. Dogen Zenji points out this point.

Image generated by Google Gemini

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

O Mother Gaia: The World of Gary Snyder

An excellent film called O Mother Gaia: The World of Gary Snyder has been completed just in time for Gary's 95th birthday. The 100-minute film by Colin Still features extensive footage of Gary himself along with Allen Ginsberg, Michael McClure, Peter Coyote, Jane Hirschfield, Carol Koda (his late wife), and Jack Shoemaker (his publisher).

You can view the film for free at this link any time before midnight this Sunday (May 11). After that time it will presumably be available only through ordinary film distribution. I encourage you to see it now while you have a chance.

I assume that most of you know who Snyder is. If you don't, you may want to check out these two essays at my website:

• Gary Snyder: "Buddhist Anarchism" 
• Kenneth Rexroth: "Gary Snyder: Smokey the Bear Bodhisattva" 

Thanks, Ken Knabb, for sending this.

Incessantly

A bodhisattva mind will make its effort to save life. And because it is almost impossible that bodhisattva mind will continue with our teaching forever and will not stop. It will incessantly be working on everything. So, that kind of mind of course is not our dualistic small mind. But the relationship between our mind and this mind is very close. You cannot separate.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Tassajara Stories by David Chadwick - Kirkus Reviews

First review of the forthcoming Tassajara Stories: A Sort of Memoir/Oral History of the First Zen Buddhist Monastery in the West―The First Year, 1967 by David Chadwick and it's by Kirkus Reviews! Here's what they concluded: “An engrossing account of the people and antics that defined the Tassajara monastery in 1967.”

• kirkusreviews.com
• amazon.com

Buddha Is There

Even in our dualistic thinking mind, bodhisattva mind will reflect like the moon on water. That is, you may say, inspiration for the future. Even in your confused mind, Buddha is there. Even in muddy, wavy water, the moon will be there.

Image generated by Google Gemini

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Continues Forever

Someone may say, “Sentient beings are innumerable, I vow to save them. If they are innumerable [laughs], how is it possible to save them?” But the bodhisattva way continues forever. So, a bodhisattva will go with bodhisattva mind forever. This kind of mind is not, of course, our thinking mind. It is beyond our thinking mind.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Buddha or Bodhisattva

Because you want to be a perfect Buddha instead of a bodhisattva, you have problems [laughs, laughter].

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

May Go to Hell

When you work in your garden, there may be various insects. What will you do? If you understand what you are doing is bodhisattva activity, then sometimes you will kill. By killing insects, you will go to hell [laughs, laughter]. But it doesn’t matter. You will go to hell with insects [laughter, laughs]. You will have many friends. You are stealing our vegetables, so I have to kill you. But because of killing you I may go to hell. Because of stealing our vegetables, you may go to hell. Let’s go to hell [laughs, laughter]! That is bodhisattva precepts.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Even Our Confused Mind

To understand the evanescence of life will be at the same time how to arise bodhisattva mind. Bodhisattva mind is not dualistic thinking mind. This point is also Dogen Zenji’s point. Dualistic, confused mind is not bodhisattva mind, but even our confused mind is good enough to receive inspiration from the truth, from the Buddha toward you. So, when your dualistic mind receives that inspiration, at that time you are Buddha.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Engaging the Heart of Wisdom

Live, Online & Free:  

An Invitation to the Dharma Academy Opening Event 
https://courses.dharmaacademy.com/launch-event

Pathways for Meeting Uncertainty

May 23–25 (all times in MST / Mountain Standard Time)

“Leaving self-centeredness behind, the world awakens — and calls us into a sense of shared aliveness. This calling is where wisdom begins, unfolds, and returns to its source: in stillness.” -Tatsudo Baden Roshi

Join us for this weekend of inspiration, exploration, and exchange.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Jean Ross began studying with Shunryu Suzuki very soon after he arrived in San Francisco. In this podcast, the second of two on her, I read more from her accounts in the Wind Bell publication of the SFZC about her experience studying Zen in Japan in the early sixties - and more. The podcast concludes with a piece I wrote about her for the Wind Bell in 1997 - DC.

Yes, I Will

Each moment includes its own past and future. A moment will be extended in four directions and past and future. So, as you practice zazen, you should say, “I will,” without being involved in doubting whether you can observe it forever or not. There’s no need from the beginning [laughs] to say, “No, I cannot.” You cannot say so. When you are really seeing things as it is, there is no position for you to say, “No.” The only way is, “Yes, I will.” That’s all that you can do.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Moment After Moment

No one can say in its ordinary sense, I can observe this precept forever [laughs]. You cannot say so. Even if you attain enlightenment, that is not possible. No one can be sure about anything. Moment after moment it is possible to say, “I will observe it.” At least in that moment, you should say, “Yes, I will.”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Everything Changes

If it is possible for us to arise bodhisattva mind and to receive bodhisattva precepts, then you should, even if your practice is not so good, and you are always involved in dualistic thinking mind by emotional activities. Actually, as I always repeat, our practice is not a practice which you can explain completely. Our practice is something beyond our understanding. And Dogen says, we arise bodhisattva mind by knowing the teaching that everything changes.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Unusual

This is why we must have Dogen as a Zen master. Sometimes what he says is quite unusual. And so unusual that you may be confused, like when he says with dualistic mind you should arise bodhisattva mind.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Arise Perfect Bodhisattva Mind

Why you are confused in helping others and why you suffer when you reflect on your mind is because it is almost impossible to be free from dualistic thinking mind and emotional and superficial mind. But Dogen Zenji says with that mind you should arise bodhisattva mind. Yesterday I told you whatever your practice may be, that is true practice. Dogen said, whatever your mind situation may be, with that mind you can arise perfect bodhisattva mind.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

With Dualistic Mind

Dogen Zenji says, “What is mind?” There are three kinds of mind. But usually by mind we mean thinking mind. Usually, with this thinking mind, we must arise bodhisattva mind. This is very valuable, and this is a great help for us to know. You may think after you attain enlightenment, when your mind is very clear, and when you have no more dualistic thinking, you will arise bodhisattva mind [laughs]. But Dogen Zenji did not say that. He clearly said there are three kinds of mind. First of all, we have thinking mind, dualistic mind. With this dualistic mind you should arise bodhisattva mind.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Not So Easy

It is not so easy to arise bodhisattva mind. It is not so easy at all. It is difficult because you do not have the right teacher or because you do not know exactly how to arise bodhisattva mind. The answer is very simple, but I think it is good for you to suffer [laughter, laughs] on this point, or else your practice will be very superficial. Of course, you may say trying to save others is bodhisattva practice, but if some impure element is in it, you cannot have confidence in your practice. I know many students who have this kind of conflict or problem.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Jean Ross began studying with Shunryu Suzuki very soon after he arrived in San Francisco. In this podcast, the first of two on her, I read from what’s in Crooked Cucumber and what she wrote about her experience studying Zen in Japan in the early sixties—at Eiheiji, Sojiji, and more. Listen to the podcast and read more about her.

To Practice Purely

To practice purely you start trying to do something to help others. But you may wonder whether you are doing something to help others or to help yourself [laughs]. It is very difficult to know which. I think you may suffer on this point a lot, as I did when I was young. Whatever I tried, continually doing something more and more, I felt I was losing my confidence…

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Bodhisattva Mind

Why we say “bodhisattva precepts” is because it is based on bodhisattva mind. As you know, bodhisattva mind is to save others—all sentient beings before you save yourself. That is bodhisattva mind. To save others is first, and to save ourselves is next. So, we say bodhisattva mind. Bodhisattva mind is the spirit of devoting ourselves to saving others.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Bodhisattva Precepts

And right practice is also the foundation of our precepts. When you do not have right practice, you will hesitate to accept precepts. But if you have right practice, whatever the precept may be, you can accept it. Precepts for people who have right practice are called “bodhisattva precepts.” If you do something good, you have no time to do something bad. That is how you keep precepts.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Even Though Your Practice Is Not Perfect

If you practice a particular practice which has no foundation, you will eventually fall into a pit hole [laughs]. You will be caught by it, and you will lose your freedom. But if you have a foundation for your various practices, the various practices will work and help you. Right practice means that kind of foundation of practice. It is more than practice. So, when you have the foundation for your practice, even though your practice is not perfect, it will help you. That is right practice.

Photo from news.artnet.com

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

The Foundation

By right practice we mean fundamental practice from which you can start—then various teachings will come out. If you have right practice, you have already right teaching there. Without a foundation, various practices will not work. Right practice is the foundation of all Buddhist activity.

Soko-ji group photo - 1964

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Two Wheels

Our two important practices are zazen practice and listening to your teacher, or right teaching. This is just like two wheels of a vehicle. Without practice, you cannot understand teaching, you cannot listen to your teacher. And without listening to your teacher, your practice cannot be right practice.

Image generated by Google Gemini

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 70-08-03 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Wendy Pirsig was for thirty years an archivist and writer featuring extensive web-based history for the small Old Berwick Historical Society’s Counting House Museum in Maine. She’s a student of Myozen Joan Amaral at the Zen Center North Shore in Beverly, Massachusetts. She’s done extensive work for Cuke Archives on verbatim and minimum edit Shunryu Suzuki lectures and carefully scrutinizing DC writings and making sage suggestions. A few years ago she compiled and edited a posthumously published book of her late husband Robert Pirsig’s works: On Quality: An Inquiry Into Excellence: Unpublished and Selected Writings. Listen to our podcast and read more about her including a long piece on her and Robert’s six weeks with the SFZC following the murder of her stepson Chris in the neighborhood.

The Shōbōgenzō

Just to practice zazen as your teacher, that is the only way. If you have some doubt on this point, you should read the ninety-five volumes of The Shobogenzo—over and over again [laughs]. Then you will find out how important the beginner’s mind is.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

To Practice Zazen As Your Teacher

For a teacher, try to be a good teacher is how to teach Buddhism. That’s all. It is very difficult for a teacher to be an example for students, and at least for me it is absolutely impossible [laughs, laughter]. But if I try very hard to be a good friend of you within my ability, I think that there is no other way for us to study Buddhism. So, beginner’s mind is very important. Just to practice zazen as your teacher, that is the only way.

Photo by Robert S. Boni

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Walk Like Your Teacher Walks

A mother tiger doesn’t have so many things to teach for her children. Living with their children is how to teach [laughs]. Actually, there are not many things to tell you. With beginner’s mind, if you walk like your teacher walks, that is a way how to study Buddhism.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Way-seeking Mind

How to achieve, or how to acquire this kind of calmness of the mind is to have right way-seeking mind, which is beyond any gaining idea. When you have right way-seeking mind, you have right practice, and there you have nirvana. If I speak too much about it, it sounds more and more like something unusual and difficult to attain, but it is not so. If you always retain a beginner’s mind, that is way-seeking mind.

Drawing by Mike Lane

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Unperturbable

If you do not know absolute serenity, even though you are in a calm, silent place, you will hear some noise, and you will feel scared even by a small mouse [laughs]. But if you have a stable, calm mind you will not be scared by even a thunderbolt. So, calmness is not something which exists outside of yourself. And it is not even a state of mind. It is something more than a state of mind. A state of mind is just temporal, but true calmness of your mind is unperturbable, and it exists forever.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

To See Two Sides

If you are not caught by the idea of calmness, you have calmness. If you are not caught by the idea of there is only one moon, the moon may be double. You will not be surprised to see double moon. So, oneness and duality is two sides of one coin. And serenity and noisy is dualistic, but it is not different.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

“Ryuko Laura Burges - is a lay entrusted Dharma teacher in the Soto Zen tradition, teaches classes and lectures and leads retreats in Northern California” – that’s from her SFZC bio. In this, her 3rd podcast, Laura tells a story from her latest book: Wisdom Stories of Tibet: Tales of Magic, Adventure, and Bravery. She also tells a Tassajara story and talks about her book on Recovery.

Double Moon

What is the double moon? Actually, the moon is one, so is the silence; silence is just one. But you say this place is calm and silent, and you compare silence with a noisy place. This is the double moon. But if you find calmness in a noisy place, that is to see the double moon as the opposite way of observing things.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

One Direction

The uneasiness is somewhere where you don’t know what to do. If you are directed in one direction, there is no uneasiness. When you don’t know what to do, there is some uneasy feeling. If you have too many things, too many choices, or too many chances, there you have worry. But if only one thing is left for you, there is no problem.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Obtain Calmness

So, what you should do is to just obtain calmness within yourself—you can ignore the danger of being disturbed by someone else. There you have restfulness, and absolute reliance on yourself only. You can depend on your own effort.

AI Generated Image

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Real Calmness Is in Noisy Places

Nowadays, if you want some calmness in your life, some go to a mountain or retreat, or build a special home with a double wall. Even when you live in a calm place, if your mind becomes agitated and restless, there is no calmness. Real calmness is in noisy places. Where you are already disturbed enough [laughs], there is no mental danger for you to be disturbed by something else.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

True Calmness

Outside of the zendo cars are always running, and sometimes Honda motorcycles roar like a thunderstorm. “What are you doing there?” they ask. But still, we have deep calmness in here. I think this is rather unusual, and the ability to appreciate the calmness of our life in a noisy city is very precious. By calmness, we do not mean just a calm, silent, soundless place. When our mind is calm in its true sense, nothing can disturb us.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Andy Karr | Podcast - Andy Karr began his formal Buddhist practice in 1971 at the SF Zen Center with Shunryu Suzuki after having devoured Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind many times. In early 1972 he began studying with Chogyam Trungpa. He has written three books, the latest one being Into the Mirror: A Buddhist Journey Through Mind, Matter, and the Nature of Reality. He has been teaching Tibetan Buddhism for years focusing on clearly understanding Mahamudra, Yogachara, Madhyamaka, and so forth. Learn more about him and his teaching at andykarrauthor.com - https://cuke.com/f.

Unique Feeling

What we do looks very rigid and formal, but if you repeat this kind of practice over and over, you will find some unique feeling in our rituals and formalities. When the tea ceremony started, there was not much cake or good tea to serve. Our life at that time was so hard that we tried to help each other by serving a cup of tea or a piece of cake. And preparing a piece of cake and cup of tea is pretty difficult. All of us knew that it was to help people, so we took it with great appreciation. If you take a small piece of cake as if you are eating a piece of bread [laughs], it doesn’t make any sense. So, we take even a cup of tea with great care and appreciation.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-03-26-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.