Neil Needs a Nudge - Tyson on Religion Stuck in the Literal - The title says it all. I rap on that some more and urge him to talk with me about this topic—not that there wouldn’t be a zillion others more qualified—but I’m asking and could suggest a broader approach so that his audience isn’t misled. Listen to the podcast.
Don’t feel lonely [laughs]. You should exist just by yourself. You must have this kind of spirit. Then practice our way, and then read scriptures, or see your teacher. Then you will have the true meaning of your own life. Religion is through and through a personal thing. Religion is just for yourself, not for others.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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 is the most important belief we should have—to believe in nothing [laughs]. To believe in nothing enough is to believe in everything. So, first of all, we should believe in nothing.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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 so grateful to have many teachers and teachings which are the accumulation of the actual experiences of various sages. All those teachings are drops of blood of ancient sages. So, we have to study with a warm heart, not just with our brains. Direct experience, direct practice is near. You have to be very straightforward, you should be very open, and you should be ready for everything which will happen to you.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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.
Whichever way you take, the most important thing is the practice, you know, practice of Zen. If your process of attaining actual meaning of life does not follow practice, it is impossible. The problem you have will not be solved, so your life will not be your own. It is like food: even though you take food, if your tummy doesn’t digest it [laughs], it doesn’t work. So, the important thing is to digest things you have had. That is practice. By practice you will attain oneness of intellectual understanding and emotional understanding.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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 this way, back and forth, there are many possibilities in our practice. The first stage may be the last stage, and the last stage may be the first. So actually, there are no stages [laughs]. I am intellectualizing to help you, that’s all [laughs]. I don’t know what the right order is, starting from actual Buddha to the third stage, or starting from believing in the absolute nature which we originally have, and then intellectual understanding, and then emotional practice which your emotions follow. Or until your emotional activity follows your practice or follows your intellectual understanding that you practice.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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.
But this experience can be interpreted in reverse [laughs]. What Buddhas attained is the purity of mind or the absolute mind, so the last stage will be the first one in which you believe in. And because you have the last stage which everyone—every Buddha attained, and which everyone has, and because everyone has the same wisdom, whatever we do, whatever we understand.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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 60s ZC and Hippies plus Unusual Stuff - Was it a bunch of hippies who helped Suzuki found Tassajara and who filled the zendo in the city. I look at this briefly. There's a lot more I could say, but I decided to think about how to approach the topic better. Then I talk about unusual experiences. It ends with a riff on current events. Listen to the podcast.
So, the most important thing is to believe in our Buddha nature and then intellectually you have to study our many ways. Back and forth we have to study our view of life. We have to have enough experiences to accord with reality. And then we have to acquire the power by which we can act without any restrictions, without any idea of teaching even. To act quite natural without being off the track.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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 may say it is kensho, or whatever you may say, this is a quite new experience both intellectual and emotional. And the many patriarchs and Buddhas will prove your experience. That is the last stage. Then you have the same experience as the old buddhas had. In this way Buddhism will be developed.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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.
Yesterday's RIP post should have read RIP Shuzan Uchiyama not Shuzen Suzuki. It's been fixed and updated.
Now it's included on the Aiko Uchiyama memorial page on cuke.com
Before you wonder what it is, you should practice more following a new experience. You may see your teacher, but the teacher will say, “Practice more with the new understanding.” And I don’t think all of you can always practice with a teacher. Some of you must go to your own home and practice alone. In that case, when you have a new experience, you should continue your practice folding the new experience within yourself, and act bravely according to the new experience. This kind of shift is necessary for you. We should not always be bound by the same old way. We should always be ready for a new experience.
Painting by Willard Mike Dixon
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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.
Dear David-san,
The nephew of Suzuki Shunryu Roshi, Uchiyama Shuzan Roshi, has passed away.
He is the son of Suzuki Shunryu Roshi's younger sister, Aiko.
Name: Uchiyama Shuzan
Birthdate: August 2, 1939
Deathdate: February 13, 2025
Age: 85 years old (87 years old by Japanese age reckoning)
28th head priest of Zuienji Temple, Hamamatsu City
The chief mourner is his daughter, Miyagi Haruko.
Cremation was completed on February 16th.
The funeral will be held on April 2nd at Rinsoin Temple, with Suzuki Hoitsu as the ceremony chief priest.
He was a man who valued his roots and was proud to be Suzuki Shunryu's nephew.
The second photo was taken at the third anniversary of Aiko's death, held at the City Center.
Shungo Suzuki
Below is the group photo from that ceremony. When I met Shuzan Uchiyama in the dining room, he greeted me with an enthusiastic, "Hebo kyuri!" That was significant because it's the way to say crooked cucumber that we used in the Japanese translation of Crooked Cucumber - except for the title where they used the normal magatta kyuri because it wasn't so pejorative. I considered Shuzan's use of the word that day to be further confirmation that hebo kyuri is what Shunryu was called. Read more on this here. - dc
When you experience a new experience, at first you may even be afraid of it. And you may even cry over the new experience because it is so different from experiences you have had, and the experience is too real to you. But that is because your practice is still wanting. In other words, you have to practice until you can digest the new experience, and you can act properly according to the new experience. This kind of understanding is necessary.
—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-08-02 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.
Beyond time means to live in each moment. To enjoy or to appreciate your life, day by day, is how to live beyond the idea of time. Actually, there is no time, you know. Time is something which is happening. Day after day is time.
Drawings by Frances Thompson
—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.
Are We Part of It or the whole or what? Reading two Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts and commenting, then talking about what I'm going to do when this podcast is loaded. Listen to the podcast.
The purpose of my lecture is mostly to give you some way to understand the various scriptures and various thoughts, in an appropriate way, without being attached to them. Without wasting time. There is no need to remember. If you forget, it’s all right. If you doubt something, you will not forget it. Because you understand it, you forget.
Zen Is Right Here - Epigraph
—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.
[About government] they should know there are limits. And they should be more humble, and they could think more [laughs]. Then we will have a very good life. This is the only way to bring about a comparatively peaceful life. All those confusions are caused by misunderstandings of the truth. What I am talking about is something maybe you think unworthy because you compare religion to politics, or even to science, so it is difficult to understand. But religion is a different way of understanding our life. So, you should keep studying some things in some different ways.
—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.
The truth is something which we cannot bring perfectly into our everyday life. Truth is something which we have to strive for. So, without striving for it now, to believe in some truth which is not truth, or fake truth, and to force some principle on others—big, big mistake. From the beginning, it is too much to expect. For us, it is too much to expect for a government. We cannot expect so much from government.
—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.
There may be two ways. By all of a sudden attaining enlightenment, or by long practice. When you become more and more aware of what you are doing in its true sense, and when you become sympathetic with people’s misunderstandings of our practice, and when you find out how to help them, you will find that you have come to a point where you can help others, even if you do not attain enlightenment.
Harambee Arts - Feeding Program
—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.
We are practicing actually aiming at a goal. But that goal, “what is the goal?” is the point. To find a goal in each moment is the goal. And that is enlightenment.
—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.
If we say we are part of it, the true relationship to the absolute one will be lost. If we are a part of it, then what is the real relationship to the absolute one? Part of it. And if every one of us is an unfolding of the one infinite absolute, or deity, then the meaning of each person will be lost. We are just an unfolding of one infinite being. So, each one of us loses our sense of meaning, of being. So, we are not even an unfolding of the absolute one. Or we are not even a part of it. If you think to this extent, you will find out what is the absolute one. Okay? Not part of it. And we are not an unfolding of the one being. So, [laughs] who are you? [Laughter] No words! [laughs].
—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.
By extending the second principle, you cannot reach the first principle. If you add one and one and one, however many ones you add, it will not equal infinity. So, infinity, or the first principle is something beyond the second principle. Or you may say the viewpoint is completely different. But if you divide the absolute in many ways, as much as possible, that is infinity. When we understand in this way, we can say we are a part of it. But we are not. Our understanding is not based on one or two. Our understanding is based on something absolute [laughs], which we don’t know. But we may be a part of it. When we understand in that way, we are a part of it. So, it is a kind of belief, you may say. But it is more than belief. It should be fully true, or else we cannot exist here. Big hypothesis [laughs]. Yet, there is no other way except in this way.
—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.
The second principle is ordinary common sense. Or the teaching which is for patients is the second principle. But people know this is just for some particular patients. So, there must be some absolute teaching which is for everyone. Buddhists look for some teaching which is permanent. And what is that permanent teaching? That was a problem for them. And we need general teachings that whatever is told by someone is not the First Principle. Then what is the First Principle? The First Principle is something which you cannot understand, to which there’s no approach. That is the First Principle.
—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.
Reincarnating Religion, a short article by Steve Tipton from The Martin Marty Center, The University of Chicago Divinity School
Steve's new book: In and Out of Church - On Amazon
Here's a Cuke blog post on that book
It's dedicated to Silas and Niels (Silas Hoadley and Niels Holm, two early Suzuki students and close friends who lived in Port Townsend).
Kokyo (AKA Luminous Owl) Henkel - is a Soto Zen priest who came to the SF Zen Center in 1990 and is currently leading a practice period at Green Gulch Farm. He and his wife Shoho Kuebast founded the Bright Window Hermitage on Tassajara Road. In his college years Kokyo was a dedicated Deadhead. Listen to this podcast with him and learn more.
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 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.
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.
—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.
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.
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.
| 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. |
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—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. |
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