Life in Bali - Independence Day - August 17, 2025, 80th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence from the Netherlands. Ketut, Kadek, and I attend a sunrise concert of jazz great Indra Lesmana at the beach in front of Bali Beach Hotel, and I DC reminisce about when Katrinka and I used to live in that area and free associate some. Listen to the podcast.
An excellent film called O Mother Gaia: The World of Gary Snyder was completed in April 2025, 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).
It was freely viewable online for a week in early May. A number of people very much enjoyed it, but others were not able to see it during that period.
The same film will again be freely viewable for three days this week: Tuesday-Thursday, August 19-21. To view it you need to sign in at this link: https://email.loa.org/h/i/
Wikipedia article on Gary Snyder: -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Two related essays by Ken Knabb:
- Gary Snyder: "Buddhist Anarchism" -- https://www.bopsecrets.org/CF/
garysnyder.htm - Kenneth Rexroth: "Gary Snyder: Smokey the Bear Bodhisattva" -- https://www.bopsecrets.org/
rexroth/essays/snyder.htm
If there is no religion, you will make an effort to utilize morality, or to make some excuse for what you do. If there is no religion, that will be your effort. Not pure enough, you know. You are just making excuses because our constitution says, “Oh, this is good, and this is bad.” But when it is not convenient, you will not say anything [laughs, laughter]. That is morality.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
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I am not talking about ethics. What I can say now is for a person who understands that there is no alternative way to take. There is no “bad” if we understand our inmost nature. In the realm of morality there are two ways: good and bad. That is ethics. “This is good, and that is bad.” So, you have to take good instead of bad: That is morality. But that is if you live in a moral realm. But in a religious life, there is no alternative. There is only just one way. When you become quite religious, there is no other way to take. Water does not come up; it always comes down. —cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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. |
Photo by Gene DeSmidt |
For me science is different. It’s from the viewpoint of a scientist. That is why even a scientist who has very advanced knowledge in a scientific way may become very superstitious [laughs]. You may say, “How is it possible for him to believe in such a primitive idea?” But some of them are quite superstitious. Science and spiritual life are quite different for him. Scientific knowledge and spiritual understanding are quite different: two matters for us.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
You have a very advanced science and various kinds of philosophy. And your achievements are almost perfect, especially in natural sciences. These achievements are very meaningful for us Buddhists. But Buddhists will give another interpretation from another angle. We do not change what you have achieved. We believe in your achievements. There is no room to [laughs] ignore scientific truth. But that is scientific knowledge. We should know that it is not religious knowledge which is something different. Religion understands science from another angle, without changing the conclusions. We do not doubt scientific truth. We accept scientific truth. But we will give some other interpretation to it, without changing the conclusions of science.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
So our way is to do something in the proper time, in a proper way [laughs]. That is Zen, in short. And mind and object is one. Did you understand?
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
Anshi Zachary Smith, Ryushin Paul Haller, Doshin Mako Voelkel
When we idealize something, and when we become attached to the idea of “you,” I may abuse you. I think it is possible to abuse there, but it is not possible. When you do something which is not possible, [laughs] you will have problems, that’s all. That is why he says there is no time or space. Actually, what exists is what you see, or what you do, or what you hear in this moment. So, you must not abuse it, and you must not even try to utilize it. Just respect everything and just treat everything respectfully. That is our way.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
Instead of emphasizing time and space, Dogen emphasized actual relationships which exist just now. That is why he is very strict with what we do—how we treat everything. We may abuse something because we think there is some permanent existence [laughs]. But actually, we cannot abuse anything. It would create a problem because there is no such thing which can be abused. Everything is living existence which does not have an alternative way of expression. When I say something and you are listening, there is no alternative [laughs] expression of yourself or of me.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
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Dogen said, “There is no time and no space.” What he meant was no time or space as you think. Actual time is continuous and discontinuous. And it is not even a time. It is the actual growth in a flower, the actual sun rising in the east and setting in the west. This is time, actually. So, in this sense, he says there is no time and no space. What actually exists is our movement which moves in one whole existence. We are all moving, and there is some uniformity in our moving. That is actual time and space. |
Image generated by ChatGPT |
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—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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. |
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A direct teaching on renunciation and zazen
Adam Beck was living at Tassajara before the SF Zen Center bought it in December of ‘66 from his parents. He was two at the time. He’s an artist now living in San Anselmo. I’ve known him through the ensuing years, so we’ve got a lot to say to each other, and he’s got a lot to say about Tassajara, Suzuki, Baker, and more in this podcast. Also, at first I apologize for an error in the prior Beginner’s Mind podcast.
What I am afraid of is mixing up with religion: Zen and LSD [laughs]. There is very, very little relationship. It is quite another matter, the problem of LSD and the problem of religion are quite different matters. Actually, religious people may use it. But when we discuss something or when we want to figure out the clear idea of LSD, we must make this point clear, or else we will have useless discussion. One is going this way, and the other is going that way. And they will have no chance to meet [laughs].
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
Student: What about things like LSD? Can it help?
SR: [Laughs] I have no experience of taking LSD, but that is not so important a problem at all. I think that is just like a medicine. So of course, if you take too much medicine, [laughs] it will not be good for you. But there is no objection to taking it, I think.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
We are all Shakyamuni Buddha, but if you do not practice and train yourself, you cannot be Shakyamuni Buddha. We have hidden nature, but if we do not realize our hidden nature, we cannot be Shakyamuni Buddha. To realize his nature as your own is religion.
Image generated by leonardo.ai
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
Science will bring you some universal truth, which is like a telescope. You will have a vast sight of mind which is universal, as if you see San Francisco from Tamalpais. Of course it helps you, but [laughs] you will not be so interested in the science of minds in general. The most concerning problem for us is what should I do with my mind. And only religion will give you the answer: What should you do with your mind? This is the kind of mind religious people are very concerned about.
Drawing generated by Microsoft Copilot
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
After I did the recent podcast on The Rise of Beginner’s Mind, I decided to put the gist of it down to something readable and called it The Spread of Beginner’s Mind. You can find it posted on the Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind page on cuke.com. There’s a link to the podcast there too. I’m going to work on this story more and do deeper research. - dc
Psychology studies our mind as an object of study. “Here is mind which is universal to everyone. And what is the function of our mind?” This is psychology. But in religion we study our own mind. This is the difference. My own mind—not everyone’s mind [laughing]. I don’t mind some other’s mind, but we do mind our own mind [laughter]. That is religion.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
Meiya Wender has practiced at Zen Center since 1972, was ordained as a priest in 1986 (receiving the name Luminous Night, Original Practice, Meiya Honshu), and received Dharma Transmission in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi from Tenshin Reb Anderson in 2002. She has also trained in traditional Soto Zen forms at Zuioji in Shikoku, Japan. She has held many monastic positions at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and Green Gulch, including director, ino (head of the zendo), tenzo (head cook), and tanto (head of practice). She has studied the Way of Tea for many years, including a year at the Urasenke Midorikai program in Kyoto, and teaches Tea in Sowing the Moon Teahouse at Green Gulch. - from the SFZC site. Listen to the podcast and read more about her.
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The problems which cannot be solved by science will be solved by the culture of science. So, our basic foundation will be science, natural science, and cultural science. In this science, we discuss what is truth, what is beauty, what is good, and, if possible, what is holiness. But it is rather difficult to discuss holiness by cultural science. So, the last problem for us is what is holiness? What is holy nature? This problem will be solved with religion. —cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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. |
Drawing generated by Microsoft Copilot |
Science is very important. But science just studies or treats outward objects, and science will result in a materialistic understanding of life. But whether our human existence is spiritual or material is a big problem which has been discussed for a long, long time. We have no conclusion to it yet: Are we spiritual or material [laughs]? Is our mental function just an attribute of our body, or is our spiritual function the basic function for human beings? This kind of problem is not solved completely.
Image generated by Leonardo.ai and modified by Microsoft Copilot
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-D 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.
This kind of understanding of religion is so necessary for us. It is very important because it is the only way to find harmony in the various religions we have. When various religious people understand this system, religion will be one: not Buddhism, not Christianity, not one school of Christianity or Buddhism. One whole big family of religious people will be established. There is this possibility in Dogen’s understanding.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
Dogen Zenji says, “In our ordinary worldly life there is no Buddha’s way.” People understand that or not, I don’t know [laughs], but he says, “It is impossible to know what religion is in a worldly way.” But from the viewpoint of religion, there is no worldly life. Everything that we do is religion.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
On the Rise of Beginner’s Mind - DC reads all extant Shunryu Suzuki on Beginner’s Mind, discusses the origins and its spread far beyond the sphere of Buddhism. Listen to the podcast.
There is a way to study philosophy. There is a particular way to study science. There is a particular way to study religion. Religion should be studied in a religious way, not by science. A scientist cannot criticize religion unless he becomes religious [laughs]. To find the meaning of science is religion. To find the meaning of philosophy is religion. But in science and philosophy, there is no religion. This relationship is very important.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
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In short, the Soto way is to use everything in its right purpose and to put everything in its own place. What should be put in a high place should be put in a high place, and what should be put on the floor should be on the floor. In America you put scriptures on the floor where you walk [laughs]. We don’t, you know. But I don’t know how to treat those scriptures in your way of life. So, until I find out, I won’t say, “Don’t put scriptures on the floor.” But this is not supposed to be treated as rubbish. This is not rubbish. Scriptures should be put on a table, or altar, or in your hands. Those small things are very important. |
Image generated by Microsoft Copilot |
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—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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. |
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When we study Buddhism intellectually, we should be concentrated on this as well as our practice. Just practice alone is not so good, because you may practice zazen for the sake of something. You will abuse your Zen practice if you mix pure practice with various fancy or wrong practices.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
When all of us are concentrated on this point [see yesterday’s post], there will not be any religious sectarianism. Because we start from some particular philosophy of religion, we have various sectarianisms. When we have just one lid which covers various pans and bowls [laughs], there will be no problem. Our cover, our philosophy, is not the same philosophy as usual philosophers provide for us.
Drawing by Leonardo.AI
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
And our true nature is very primitive, of course. And at the same time, it could be very, very refined and deep, a lofty desire. In this primitive, fundamental desire there are true strengths and various possibilities. But if you start from a fancy idea of religion, you will be more confused. So, to realize why we study religion is to find out the meaning of our fundamental desire—how important it is, and how miraculous it is, and how much possibility it has.
Drawing by Stan White
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
We say don’t study religion with a gaining idea. Gaining ideas are not based on your true nature. That’s a very superficial desire—not so deep as hunger. When we give up various gaining ideas, we will find out our true nature.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
According to Buddha, or our patriarchs, or founders of various religions, you should not have too fancy an idea about religion. A religion should be understood by the most foolish man [laughs], not only by learned wise men. A wise man’s religion is very complicated and very fancy. If he is too great, you will be attached to his religion. We should not attach to some particular religion.
Drawing by Stan White
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
If you are caught by some fancy idea of religion, and you don’t know what religion is yours [laughs]—Buddhism, Christianity, an Indian religion, or some native folk religion—you don’t know what to choose. Sometimes every religion looks the same. Sometimes they don’t look the same. But when religion is studied in the simplest way, the most universal way, for instance, want of sleep, or hunger, or pain, we will reach the universal religion, universal religion even to animals. Here we have a common playground. Everyone will play in this common playground.
Image generated by Microsoft Copilot
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
Through problems we will realize our true nature. When I am hungry, what I feel is what you feel when you are hungry [laughs]. There might be some difference, but not much. And how you feel when you sit is how everyone feels when they sit. Strictly speaking, that is enough, even if you do not attain enlightenment [laughs]. If everyone sits and finds out how they feel when sitting, that’s good enough.
Photo by Barbara Lubanski-Wenger
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
Upasama (formerly Reuven ben Yuhmin) was a student of Shunryu Suzuki, a great gardener at Tassajara, who's been living in a Theravada monastery near Perth, Australia, for the last twelve years. This is the second podcast with Upasama. Listen to the podcast and read more about him.
When you are healthy and practice zazen in this way, true nature is just calm and inexplicable. But when you have some actual problem like when you have pain in your legs, you will have direct experience of your true nature [laughs]. But don't mistake that for true nature. That is true nature plus something—plus your painful legs. Something is added to true nature, and true nature takes the form of pain. This relationship is very important, and if you understand this relationship, your true nature and your pain, that is a key to solving all the problems of life.
Image created by Google Gemini
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
[In Zen practice] we do not consider our sensitivity or thinking. Whatever images come, you just accept them and let them go out. [Laughs.] And whatever sounds you hear, you let them come in and let them go out. When you do not pay any attention to outward objects, you will find out your true nature.
Photo from SFZC.org
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
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We say we have two kinds of knowledge: intuitive knowledge and thinking or discriminating knowledge. Scientific and philosophical knowledge are the dualistic thinking knowledge. As long as we use words and we think with words, it is impossible to reach the absolute conclusion. When we just resume our own nature, which is universal to everyone, we can realize our true nature, which is universal to human beings and even animals, and plants, and all existence. And that is why in Zen practice we stop our mind. |
Jane Hirshfield with her horse |
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—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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. |
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The only way is just to practice Zen with right understanding. If you do not have right understanding, your practice will be mixed up with some other practice. And in America there are so many misunderstandings of Zen. Through Shobogenzo we have to polish our practice, and we have to keep our practice from various misunderstandings. That is why we have Shobogenzo. That is why in sesshin I should talk. The purpose of my talk is not to give you some knowledge, but to encourage your practice without being interested in the philosophical depth of our system.
Photo by Renshin Bunce
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
The Soto school has a pretty deep philosophy, but as I said last night, the Shobogenzo, or the philosophy of Zen, is just a lid, just a cover of a pan. People may be interested in Zen, but without some intellectual understanding, it is difficult to figure out what Zen is. So that is why we have a philosophy of Zen. But with philosophy you cannot have a true understanding of Zen. Zen should be understood by Zen, by practice of Zen, not by philosophy—even by reading Shobogenzo, you cannot [laughs] actually realize what Zen is.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
Shunryu Suzuki lectures, edited by Jiryu Rutschman-Byler and Sojun Mel Weitsman
Available now on Amazon
There are many scientists who become interested in religion. Some of them are perhaps interested in true religion, but some will not have a true understanding of religion. As long as their understanding is limited to the scientific realm, it is impossible to know what true religion is because religion should be understood in a religious way. Religion is not understood through philosophy or science.
Physicist (and Zen student) Doug Greiner
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
Diane Renshaw began Zen practice at Tassajara in 1978, received lay ordination in 1993, and has been working with Tassajara on a native plant project for 25 years. Diane lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is an experienced botanist, birdwatcher, and ecologist. In this podcast we hear about her life as a scientist and a Buddhist—and more.
Without true practice it is impossible to realize our true nature. Of course, what we do in our everyday life, whether we are aware of it or not, is based on our true nature. True nature drives us to do things, but if you do not understand, or if you do not realize what true nature is, and if you have no system to know the actual meaning of your true nature, you will get into confusion.
Drawing by Stan White
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
The conclusion of my talk is always why we should practice zazen. This is not just casual talk. And basically, my talk is based on the Shobogenzo. Fortunately, we have a complete system of how to understand true religion. True religion cannot be understood in a philosophical or a scientific way. The only way to understand or to realize our true nature is just through practice.
Photo by Renshin Bunce
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-26-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.
I Had a Good Teacher“interweaves Les Kaye’s Dharma talks with personal stories to reveal the subtleties of integrating Zen practice into a life of work and family. It includes fascinating memories of Suzuki Roshi and short writings about events at the zendo, including the time Steve Jobs visited Les for guidance integrating work and spiritual practice. I Had a Good Teacher is an excellent introduction to Zen in daily life, a warm portrait of a great Zen teacher, and a reminder to meditators to return to basics, keep their meditation real, and practice awareness all day long.” - on Amazon
We don’t know why we should try to improve ourselves. No one knows. There is no reason for it, or it is beyond discussion. Even though you cannot discuss it, our true nature is so big. It is out of our intellectual understanding, so it makes no sense even if you discuss it. “What are you talking about?” [Laughs.] Those who are aware of it will laugh at you if you discuss why it is so big a problem to discuss. This is why we bow to Buddha.
Drawing by Stan White
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-22 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.
If you understand about true nature, you will find the true nature within yourself and in every existence. Flowers have this nature. Even though it is cold, they are preparing for spring. Even though they do not know it, they are making good effort to come up in the spring. So when we become aware of it, we will know that this nature we have is universal nature to every existence. But this awareness of true nature is limited to human beings. So, this awareness is very important, and this awareness is, in short, to try to do something good is our spirit.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-22 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.
Cathy Grossman, the religion editor for Publishers Weekly, did a nice brief interview with me about the upcoming Tassajara Stories book. Here 'tis. The book is coming out September 23rd.
Because we are not so good we try to improve ourselves. And we are aware of having some intention to improve ourselves. This intention is limited to human beings. Flowers may come out in the spring without fail, but they do not make any effort; they automatically come out, that’s all. We try to do the right thing at the right time, but we find it very difficult. In this sense we are very stupid [laughs, laughter]. Even though we try, we cannot make it, but this is our human nature. We always try to do something and have some difficulty. But this point is very important for us. That is why we have pleasure as human beings, because it is difficult, and we are always making some effort. That effort results in our pleasure of human life. This pleasure is limited to human beings, and this is called our true nature.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-22 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.
Renshin Bunce began practicing with Steve Stucky in 1994. In 2013 she received dharma transmission from him. Her website is renshinbunce.com. Go there for info on her in-person and Zoom sitting groups. She's published three books on Amazon: on Steve Stucky, hospice work, and practicing at Tassajara. Her cuke.com page has links to her many photos or go to flickr.com/photos/renshin. Listen to this podcast to learn lots more.
Another meaning of bowing is: As long as we live, we have a body here, and we have to think something. So, Buddha practiced Zen, and we practice Zen. Everyone when we practice Zen, we are called Buddha. And Buddha Mind, or Bodhisattva Mind is a spirit. To attain oneness in duality is, in short, our spirit.
Image generated by Microsoft Copilot
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-22 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.
We bowed nine times this morning. Bowing to Buddha is actually a kind of practice to get rid of our self-centered ideas—to give ourselves completely to Buddha. I mean to give our physical and intellectual life to Buddha because it is based on Buddha Nature. So even when we forget all about it, still we have Buddha Nature, and Buddha bows to Buddha. That is one meaning of bowing.
Photo by Sheldon A. Brody. Courtesy ICP, NY. Image from: tricycle.org.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-22 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.