An Outline

What we are studying like this in our lectures is to have some outline of Buddhism, intellectually. Without some outline of teaching, or suggestions, you cannot practice. You cannot study. That is why we give you some advice or framework of Buddhism and point out some important points in your practice.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-07-23 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.

Beginner’s Mind

Beginner’s mind is when you just start your study, you have no prejudice, no preconceived ideas. You don’t know anything about Buddhism, and you open your whole mind to Buddhism. That is beginner’s mind. But after you studied our way, you may feel as if you understood Buddhism, and as if you attained something special. That is quite usual. But at that time you lose your beginner’s mind. So, if you feel even though you are studying Buddhism, you should like to study more, and your study is not good enough, then what you study is Buddhism. Do you understand? That is beginner’s mind. And that beginner’s mind is also big mind.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-07-23 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.

Understanding Religion

Before you realize our religions are a practice, through and through, there are religions, you know. But after you understand religion, there is no religion because we are always with people, and we struggle with the same problems. What we are doing is not different from what everyone is doing. We find out this truth after going through various understandings and experiences. We come to this certain point again, and on and on we follow this way with people. So that is the point after you go through various religious experiences. And at the same time it is the starting point of religion.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-07-23 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.

Our Own Teaching

All the religions are good, if studied with sincerity for the people and through and through, each is good. We need various religions because there are many different types of people. So, each one of us needs his own religion. So, strictly speaking, religion should be each one’s own. And, when we have our own teaching, mysteriously enough it becomes a true teaching, and we can communicate with each other. This is also true.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-07-23 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 Help People

There were many various laymen with independent-based religions for the sake of religion, not for the sake of people. At first Buddha wanted instead to protect his people as a priest. But he found out it was not possible. He studied various religions, and he found out all the religions at that time were not so good. So, he started his own religion to help people. That is, I think, Buddhism.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-07-23 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

Marta Dabis - is the founding priest of Jissoji Zen Ann Arbor with a lot of experience in Buddhist chaplaincy. She practiced at the SF Zen Center for some years starting in 2007. She has had teachers in the Suzuki and Katagiri lineages. Hear all about it in this podcast with her.

Ed Brown gives Saturday lecture at SFZC City Center

 

Brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for inviting him Mako. - dc

Ed Brown cuke page

Amida Buddha’s Mouth

Even according to the Shin school that believes in Amida Buddha as a saver of sentient beings, this is also not absolute teaching. When we say Amida Buddha, Amida Buddha includes every one of us. The mouth we repeat Amida Buddha’s name is also Amida Buddha’s mouth, not our mouth. When we repeat his name with this idea, then that is to believe in Amida Buddha. It is not because we repeat his name that Amida Buddha saves us but because all of us are originally a part of Amida Buddha. That is our understanding of how we believe in Amida Buddha.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-07-23 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.