Accept

Image generated by ChatGPT

Yeah, the physical pain is real [laughter]. If you accept it, it is real. If you don’t accept it, it is not real, you know. “My legs are painful.” That’s all. If you put a period, “I am painful.” That’s real. But if you say, “I am painful, so what shall I do?” Or, “Is there any way to escape from it?” Then the pain you mean will become big [laughs]. To accept the pain as it is is big patience.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Eternal True Nature

If you hesitate to accept truth, you will be lost. There is a time for suffering to stop, but true nature will never cease to act. The terminology [laughs] of delusion is something which is not real and which can be put an end to. That is delusion. And true nature is something which is eternal, it cannot be lost. And through suffering you can have direct experience of how strong your true nature is. Your true nature is much stronger than the suffering “small you” creates. True nature is incomparably greater than small mind.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Tears

Image generated by Leonardo.ai

If you find your inmost request by struggling or with tears, or with difficulty, you will never forget about it. Then an inmost request is in emotional feelings rather than logical reason. The logical understanding of an inmost request is a philosophy of true nature. And the understanding of an inmost request by your tears is an actual feeling that makes sense to you. And you can apply it. You will never forget about it. So, we should know that there is truth in our utmost distress or suffering.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Barton Stone joined Shunryu Suzuki for zazen very early on. He's a peace activist, expert carpenter, gardener, poet, and now practices Zen with with the Stone Creek Zen Center in Graton, CA. We'll have the phone chat, read his poems and an old interview. - This is an encore presentation from an August 29, 2020, podcast when Cuke Podcast was only five months old.

Emotional Feelings

Photo by Robert Boni

The emotional feelings, whether good or bad, you have them, and they are strongest. It is easier to find what is your inmost request by the strongest function of your mind. It is easier. And if you find your true nature, in your strongest emotional feelings, you will be very much encouraged by it. But if you find what inmost request means by logical thinking, you think, “I understand that is an inmost request.” That’s all. When you understand it, it will be forgotten, and you will think, “In this book, someone says inmost request is something such-and-such. So, when it is necessary, if I read that part I can understand it.” This kind of understanding will not help you at all. And in a case of necessity, you will forget all about it [laughs].

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

A note from Baker Roshi

From Crestone Mountain Zen Center Newsletter, Nov. 2025

Click for the full message

Richard's cuke page

The Best Time

Before you open one eye, it takes time maybe. But for someone who suffers a lot, it is not so difficult. That is why we do not help people so easily. We are waiting for the best time for them to confront the problem completely.

Image generated by Google Gemini

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

One Eye

Image generated by ChatGPT

If one of your hands gets out of suffering that’s enough, even though you are not completely free from suffering. Or if one eye does, it will be enough to see what you are doing. You can see with one eye, you know [laughter]. You will say, “Oh my. I am creating suffering. There is no need to open two eyes.”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

If You Know

If you only know that you are creating suffering for yourself, this is good enough, and it will work pretty well. “Oh, I am creating suffering. I have created a difficult problem.” When you say so, you are already out of suffering. You are not completely involved in the suffering you had.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

A Long Period of Zazen

Long periods of zazen are very difficult. Short periods of zazen are very difficult too. It is rather troublesome to do every morning [laughter]. The results will be different, but difficulty is the same. So, a long period of zazen is easier, I think, easier if you have time. It is easier, and you will have a deeper understanding. You have the possibility to clear up all of your misunderstandings. You will stop creating suffering [laughter].

Image adapted from Google Play Store

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Be Patient

Image generated by ChatGPT

Student: How can you meditate when your legs are aching? [Laughter.]

SR: Hmm?

Student: Is that all in the mind?

SR: Just be patient [laughs, laughter].

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

In case you didn't see this email

A message from DC and Cuke Archives: doing our part to help preserve the legacy of Shunryu Suzuki and those whose lives cross his.

Dear Friend,

It’s been a couple of years since we sent out an update on what’s happening at Cuke Archives.

After eleven years collecting and refining the most memorable personal anecdotes about the founding of Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, the first volume of Tassajara Stories appeared this fall, published by Monkfish. I’m working to complete the next two volumes and their audiobooks. There’s more than that to come if I keep at it, but for now completing the Tassajara Stories trilogy and the weekly podcasts is what absorbs the majority of my attention.

Here’s a brief picture of what else has been happening.

We continue doing what we’ve been doing for decades—working with the Shunryu Suzuki lecture archive, entering more lectures—verbatim, minimum edits, other edits, audio, whatever we created, could find, or link to—such as the Engage Wisdom transcript and audio presentation. Go to Cuke Update for more.

There are daily Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpt posts with an image on the Cuke Daily Blog, Instagram, Facebook Cuke Archives, Bluesky, and to email subscribers. The oral and written history content of cuke.com is slowly and constantly expanding giving a more thorough view of the people and events that are touched and have been touched by Shunryu Suzuki’s time in America. More than anything Cuke Archives is the story and stories of people.

For many years I did the daily lecture excerpts while Peter Ford concentrated on getting cuke.com and shunryusuzuki.com better organized and easier to navigate. He’s still doing that but now he also presents those excerpts. One thing I feel we fall short on is posting about all the new material in the archive as it appears. That’s my fault. I get so focused on the work I’m doing I keep failing to get around to sharing the news. I’ll try to do better. Meanwhile, some of the additions and improvements to the archive that have happened in the last few years you can find at Cuke Update.

I’m still involved with the ongoing development of every aspect of Cuke Archives and on average have several hours of communications daily, but since the last update I’ve been increasingly engrossed in what we call special projects—mainly creating books and audiobooks and recording podcasts. The podcasts consist mainly of talks with a wide gamut of guests involved with or somehow related to the Shunryu Suzuki lineage and the centers and groups that have sprung from it. Cuke Podcast page.

We depend on your contributions to keep all this work going. Donations through PayPal, check, or credit card can be made by clicking on this Donate link or on the primary pages of cuke.com and shunryusuzuki.com.

For a contribution of $125 or more, we will gratefully send you a copy of the newly published Tassajara Stories, a hardback which retails for $33.99.

Check what others are saying about Tassajara Stories.

There’s more to Tassajara Stories than stories about Tassajara. The Preface to the book will make that clear.

Statements of Support for Cuke Archives

Who we are

Another way to look at what we do is that it’s a way for us to all say hello to each other. Updates such as this one are sent out less than once a year. If you are open to receiving a few more messages in a year, please reply “friend” to join the special Friends of Cuke Archives mailing list.

Thank you and take care.

David

“We’re all bozos on this bus.” - Firesign Theater

Let the Flower Be

Originally, there is no suffering. Everything is going in its own way, and there should not be any suffering. But you create some suffering. Everything is changing, and everything is growing, but sometimes you want to stop it, and you want to own a flower, like an artificial flower. That is the cause of suffering, and you create that suffering. If you let the flower be as it is, you have no suffering. When you say “suffering,” it is already a flower which is created by you. It is pretty hard to accept the flower which is growing or falling. When you see the flower, you feel as if it will exist forever [laughs]. But actually, it won’t.

Photo by Perfecto Insecto

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Why We Suffer

Why we suffer is because everything which gives us suffering is something created by our mind. Everything you see is something created by your mind. When we say “suffering,” that is your suffering. Your suffering comes from something which is created by your mind. You are participating in creating some suffering. It may not be just you, but you are the main actor in the play.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Rick McDaniel has written nine books on Zen, the last of which is to be published by Monkfish, title Original Face. He’s done hundreds of interviews with Zen folks all over America and Canada where he lives. His website is titled Richard Bryan McDaniel - Zen Conversations and Profiles and is found at rbmcdaniel.ca. Listen to the podcast and learn how all this came to be.

Oh my!

If you don’t know what to do, you may take a risk. That’s our usual way and very easy. Or we think this is the most scientific and intellectual way. “If I have LSD, there will be no need to practice zazen” [laughter]. Oh my! It is very difficult to make them realize what they are doing. When they think they are right, it is very difficult to let them know why it is wrong. They may find out what they were doing, but when it is too late.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

A Book Is A Book

Buddha told us the four noble truths to destroy our easy way of scientific understanding or philosophical understanding. Those ways are easy. Without any effort you can read books even when you are lying down [laughter]. Very easy, but it actually will not help you. If you realize it will help you to do something, then that is right understanding. But when you read some interesting philosophy, when you are interested in something unusual, you may feel as if you are doing the right thing [laughs]. We are not doing the right thing. A book is a book, and your life is your life.

Image generated by Google Gemini

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

WISDOM OF HAPPINESS—A-HEART--TO-HEART WITH THE DALAI LAMA

Bay Area: tickets going fast for this week's screenings of WISDOM OF HAPPINESS—A-HEART--TO-HEART WITH THE DALAI LAMA... Berkeley's Elmwood is sold out for Nov. 6, and additional screenings have been added for Nov. 7-9 (check theater for times). Frank Ostaseski joins Nina Wise for a conversation after the screening at the Rafael on Nov. 9, and don't miss actor/author/activist/Zen priest Peter Coyote in person and the Dalai Lama on the big screen in Sebastopol on Nov. 10! Tix and info for that one: https://rialtocinemas.com/coming.../wisdom-of-happiness-seb/

Thanks Gaetano Maida of the Buddhist Film Foundation for doing this.

See this post on Facebook

Four Noble Truths

So first of all, we should understand the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths explain why we suffer, and this intelligent world is full of suffering. The world we seek is full of suffering. And nirvana—when you find out those worlds which are full of suffering are not real, then you have nirvana. And following the way is how to attain nirvana.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Suffering in Duality

Buddha says, “Every constituent existence is doomed to suffer.” Everything which we see, which we feel, which we can understand is full of suffering because it is not true because it is dualistic. When there is duality, there is suffering. In this sense, everything appears in the form of suffering. And when you understand that is not true existence, there is no more suffering. If you find out that it is just a dream you created [laughs], there is no suffering.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Big Mind Recites Sutras

That is why we say you should not recite sutras. Your true nature should recite sutras. Big mind recites, not small mind—small self should not recite sutras. The self which is universal to everyone should recite sutras with people. When I talk like this, there is already some duality. Small self or big self. But actually, small self does not exist. That which exists is big self only. We just create small self, and we say it is right [laughs]. But it is not right. So first of all, we should be emancipated from the idea of small self.

Photo montage by Donn Deangelo

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Taiyo Lipscomb | Podcast - Taiyo Lipscomb came to the Zen Center in the mid seventies and was there for 23 years, becoming one of the folks who run the place. His story is unique as is he. Listen to the podcast and you’ll see.

Not So Simple

Almost all people ignore our true existence and have some superficial understanding of what self is. What do they mean by self? They ignore true self. “I’m not doing Zen,” they say. “I’m not doing anything wrong. I am always doing something right.” [Laughs.] That is what they will say. But if you listen to your inmost voice or voice of conscience, it is not so simple.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

RIP Margaret Crowley

 Margaret Ann Crowley, Anand Shakti 

Just learned that Margaret Crowley died last April 21st in Lafayette, Colorado. She was born in Maryland in 1946. 

Margaret came to Zen Center in 1968 as I recall. She practiced in the city and at Tassajara. She and my first wife Daya (back then Dianne) Goldshlag were best friends. 

I see she has a page at The Natural Funeral.

Will seek photos and more on Margaret.

Gya te gya te - dc

Unconditional Requests

[About inmost request.] Something—someone, I don’t know who it is, but someone tells us to do so. We hear that voice always, so I cannot help doing so because someone is telling me to do so or someone is telling me “please help me.” We cannot help doing so, not because “this is Buddhism” or “this is big patience,” not because of what Buddha said. It is an unconditional request for us. We have this kind of nature. If it is supreme teaching, absolute teaching, it is impossible to achieve. It is impossible to understand it. This is big patience, and this is not even a matter of big or small. It may be very small—sometimes it may be the smallest patience.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Save Them All

Even though sentient beings are innumerable, we should save them all [laughs]. This is impossible, you know, because if the sentient beings are innumerable, it is impossible to save them all. Isn’t that so? Even though we know that it is impossible, we cannot help trying to save them all. That is the absolute of what I called inmost request.

Human Be-In, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Photo by Jim Marshall.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Cannot Help Doing So

We say even though Buddhism is impossible to attain, we should attain it. This is big patience, knowing that it is impossible. But with big patience we cannot help doing so. That is not patience even. That is to do something because you cannot help doing so.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Small Patience, Big Patience

Small patience is like even though you have physical suffering or mental suffering, to be patient is small patience. And big patience is something different from to be patient with your physical or mental distress or suffering. That is small patience, but big patience is to be patient about not knowing anything, or for not to achieve anything. This is big patience. Just to sit is big patience for not achieving anything [laughs]. Just to sit. And to repeat the same thing over and over again, day after day, just to repeat things over and over.

Image generated by ChatGPT

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Shobogenzo

As we are human beings, it is impossible to keep Dogen’s pure teaching always fresh and in use, but everyone agreed that his cover was the best cover, anyway. No dust [laughs] can enter the pan; it is so perfect a cover. So, we have to have some Soto priests who can understand what Shobogenzo is. And there must be many Zen masters who are actually practicing zazen. But those who practice zazen will make some mistakes, you know. So, we should have a cover. By mistake I mean dust [laughter]. Soon we will be dusty. There may be many, many misunderstandings of Zen. When we enter some dead end, we should find out what we are doing. That is Shobogenzo.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Still Exists

As he was writing, Dogen thought it was not the time to make Japanese people understand what Buddhism was right then. It was not possible. So, he trained several disciples, and he prepared a perfect cover [laughs], so that someday people would be able to use the pan of the Soto school. Before they could use the Soto way, it was necessary for him to make a cover for it. That is Shobogenzo. That is why the Soto school still exists seven hundred years later. It still exists because of the cover he made.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Jeff Broadbent's India trip

 

Jeff Broadbent sent a fascinating report on his recent trip to India with colorful photos

Jeff Broadbent Cuke page

Featured Cuke Archives page

John Liles | Podcast - John Liles is a long-time student of the Atlanta Zen Center. In this podcast we hear about it and its founder Soyu Matsuoka, and he talks about an inspiring time he had for a month at Tassajara this recent summer.

A Cover

The most important point is not to be one-sided. Practice and study are both important. But it is not possible for anyone to achieve everything. So, as I said, to have the same cover [laughs], is very important. The cover should not be used. When you do something, you should take off the cover [laughs]. If you want to boil something with a cover [laughs], you will get confusion. For us the cover is the Shobogenzo. This is perfect understanding of our way. But perfect understanding will not work [laughs]. It’s too perfect [laughs]. But it will keep dust from the pan [laughs], and if you put a cover on your pan, you can use it whenever you want to use your pan. So, it is very important to have a cover for it.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Right Understanding of Practice

Now here in Zen Center we are practicing a very rigid way after the example of the Japanese way, but it does not mean we are forcing our way on you. But it will give you some suggestions, and it will take, I think, a pretty long time before you establish your own way. So, for you, a pioneer [laughs] of Buddhism, it may be pretty difficult. But if you have right understanding of our way, you can explain why we have this kind of practice and why you should do this kind of practice.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Truth Is The Same

In the East and in the West, the truth is always the same, and we are coming to the same conclusions, I think. Although the way is different, but more and more your philosophy will become like the Shobogenzo, and our way will become more and more scientific. And in this way, I hope we will achieve something very good.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Inexplicable Actual Practice

In a logical or philosophical way, philosophers found what our true nature is. But no one had brought it into practice. That is why Buddhism has the practice of zazen. To bring something which is inexplicable to actual practice is Zen practice. This is one of the noble truths. That is why Zen is so important in Buddhism. Without Zen the teaching of Buddha cannot be understood by us.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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

Back from Germany - DC talks about the three weeks he and his wife Katrinka spent at Dharma Sangha's Zen Center in the Black Forest, a visit with Vanja Palmers at his home on Mt. Rigi in Switzerland just below Felsentor, the Zen practice center he founded. And more. Listen to the podcast.

Difficult To Choose

If we don’t mind about good or bad we will take either way. But for us it is rather difficult [laughs] to choose one of the two. When it is difficult, there is true nature. True nature makes it difficult for us to choose. Here we have bodhisattva-mind. When we have difficulty in an ethical sense there is bodhisattva-mind. When you say, “I am no good,” there is bodhisattva-mind. But we cannot explain why we have this kind of mind. It is impossible to explain why.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Which Way

When we stand at a fork in the road—which way to take? Here is our bodhisattva-mind. Which is better? Which way should we go? This “I” is not possible to explain, but anyway, we are always at a crossing or at a fork in the road, and we don’t know what to do. As long as we have our true nature, when we are conscientious enough, we sometimes wonder which way to take. That is a bodhisattva’s way.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

What Is Buddha-nature

For us even though you attain enlightenment, you are also a human being. And “buddha” is another name for a human being. Buddha and human being are same nature, same one quality, strictly speaking. It does not mean you become buddha, or buddha devalued to a human being. It is not so. Same quality. When you realize your true nature, you are called “buddha.” And what is buddha-nature is the point.

Image generated by ChatGPT

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Heaven?

A human being is always a human being. I don’t know what you will become after you die. What will become of you I don’t know. You go to heaven and [laughs] will you become a god or what? I don’t know exactly.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Human Beings

We treat human beings as human beings. Religion is not some particular thing. Religion is to find the true meaning of human nature. We do not try to change human beings to God. From beginning to end, we are human beings. We should be human beings. There is no need to be God [laughs].

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Our Everyday Life

The bodhisattva’s way of helping others is not some moral code or written conditions. To help others does not mean actually to give something or to lead someone in a special way. If you want to understand what the actual bodhisattva way is, you should practice our way. That is why Dogen Zenji was particular about our everyday life. He was very, very particular because he thought it was impossible to express what bodhisattva’s way does mean with words or philosophy.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Treated in the Right Way

The most important point in helping others is to actualize the bodhisattva’s way in its true sense. You can actualize the bodhisattva way in your management of a monastery or a temple. If you actualize his way, that is also dana-Prajnaparamita. That is to help others, to give most valuable things to society. If you actualize our way in your life, that is the most valuable contribution to society. Even though you give something, if you give it in the wrong way [laughs], it will create more trouble. So just to give something is not our way. Everything will be treated in the right way in the bodhisattva way.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

Our Actual Practice

The way of a Bodhisattva in other schools is rather philosophical, so that is why they have their own system. But for the Zen school, our practice itself is the bodhisattva way. It’s not a philosophy—our actual practice is the bodhisattva’s way. Or management of the monastery is itself the bodhisattva’s way.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

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Scholars and Zen Masters

You cannot be both a scholar and a Zen master [laughs]. It would be wonderful if it were possible, but we are not so capable. It is necessary for a scholar to understand the Shobogenzo and other cultures too, or else his teaching will not work. So, for a scholar it is necessary to read many, many books and to understand Eastern and Western culture. A Zen master should devote themselves to our own teaching and practice. But as both scholars’ and masters’ understanding is based on the Shobogenzo, mutual understanding will be easily attained.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

More Than a Philosophical Understanding

When you try to understand the way of a bodhisattva by thinking or philosophy, it is dualistic. Each school has its system of teaching, but Zen has no system of philosophy. Although the Soto school has the Shobogenzo, it’s not possible to understand it in just a philosophical way. That is why when a scholar writes something about Shobogenzo, he will submit it to a Zen master. He does not publish before a Zen master checks it. This is pretty strict for the Soto school because just a philosophical understanding is not good enough.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-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.

A Matter of Spirit

So, when you decide on a rule, you have to be very careful. If it is too strict, you will pay. And if it is too loose, it will not work. Our tradition was built up in this way. And this understanding should be followed. But I don’t mean mental understanding or logical understanding. There must be some good feeling in observing it. Not feeling, but the understanding should be pure understanding. That is why our monastic life is difficult to establish. It is not a matter of the building. It is a matter of spirit, and a matter of people who can be responsible for that.

Photo by Barbara Lubanski-Wenger - SFZC-1980

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-AN 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.

Duality and Oneness

In duality, actually, there is oneness. Oneness will be expressed by duality. Duality and oneness in a zendo it is one. But in your everyday life, duality and duality is one [laughs]; no oneness exists. In its true sense, duality and duality is one, and one and one is one. This formula is very important, but in the usual sense, duality is duality; it means nothing–it is just confusion. Form is emptiness; emptiness is form; form is form; emptiness is emptiness; we will understand this formula in the zendo. But in your everyday life, it doesn’t make any sense.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-28-AN 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.