Easy?

Precepts observation is difficult, but actually it is easy, you know. The difficult way is to behave like a Buddhist without precepts, without any rules. This is very difficult. But if we have some precepts, it is easy for us to observe our way. What do you think [laughs]? Do you think this is just a good explanation of precepts? It is not so.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Yvonne Rand (1935–2020)

Two Arrows Zen
August 19 marks the passing of Yvonne Rand (1935–2020) ...
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hvx5QjNXL/

Alert

If we are alert enough and wise enough, we should take care of ourselves with alertness. Not to fall into the pitfalls of human nature. We have many dangers in our lives, and sometimes we know them, and sometimes we do not know them. So, it is necessary for us to have some rules to protect ourselves.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Protect Yourself

You can take Buddhism if you do not get caught by it. You can do it. But why we emphasize precepts observation is because it will protect you from bad habits. Precepts will protect yourself, as our human nature has so many weak points. So, it is necessary for Buddha to protect us from evil habits by setting up some rules for us.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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 Burning House

The Burning House: An elegy for Tassajara’s zendo by Katy Butler - Tricycle, Fall 2026.

https://tricycle.org/magazine/tassajara-zendo-fire/

Intoxicated by a Gaining Idea

We say “sell.” This is very subtle. “Don’t sell” means when you yourself are intoxicated by some gaining idea to make a profit from it, or when you are caught by something, you will try to sell it to others: “Buddhism is so wonderful a teaching! [Laughs.] Why don’t you join us?” At that time, you are already somehow intoxicated by it. So “don’t sell” is a very subtle expression. But it means also “do not take it.”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Sake

Do you know sake? Japanese wine made from rice. Another name for sake is “the best of all medicines” [laughs]. If you are not intoxicated by it, if you do not take too much, that is the best medicine of all [laughs]. But when you are intoxicated, that is sake which you should not take or sell.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Do Not Sell Liquor

“Do not sell liquor,” or, you may say, “drugs.” Liquor means some intoxicating medicine or intoxicating teaching. Those are liquor. Even Buddha’s teaching, if you sell it, that is liquor. If you are caught by it, that is liquor. So, not only wine or drugs, but also you should not sell anything [laughs]. Do you understand? It should be your life in its true sense. This is a very important precept for us, and subtle understanding is necessary.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Featured Cuke Archives page

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No Lies

“Do not lie.” You cannot tell a lie, you know. Whatever you do, it expresses your true nature. So you cannot tell a lie.

Image generated by Google Gemini

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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 Your Mind

When you have everything, there is no need to steal something from others. When you have no idea of other, when you understand your life is something which happens in your mind, it is not possible to steal anything. That is actually a practice of zazen. When you practice zazen, you practice zazen with big mind, the mind which is not a matter of big or small [laughs], with your true mind. That is our practice of zazen which is not different from observation of the precepts.

Calligraphy by Upasama (formerly Reuven ben Yuhmin)

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Negative Precepts and Positive Precepts

Negative precepts and positive precepts observation is not different. This is the most important precept.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Not To Kill

“Do not kill” means to extend our life activity. When you are lazy, or when you are not sincere enough in your practice you are killing Buddha [laughs]. Buddha will not manifest itself. That is actually to kill Buddha or to kill something. “Not to kill” means to do something with sincerity. That is the fundamental way of observing precepts. So, precepts observation is to do something with your utmost effort. That is how you observe those ten prohibitory precepts.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Universal Truths

Those ten prohibitory precepts are not supposed to be manmade precepts like social rules, or customs, or rules of some particular countries. They are something more than that. They are not manmade rules, but are based on the universal truths of the universe.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Within Big Mind

When we have enlightenment, many things happen within enlightenment, within big mind. In this case, we call our activity “precepts observation.”

Photo by Betty Warren - sent by Barbara Wenger

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Article by Alan Block • Image from: cuke.com (from Facebook)

https://cuke.com/f

Mind Includes Everything

According to our understanding, everything is within our mind. Our mind includes everything, and in our mind many things will take place. So, when we have this mind, whatever happens to us, that is precepts observation. When we are caught by a dualistic idea or some objective existence and worship it, that is heretical understanding. So, the spirit of a mountain or a ghost—to worship heretical shrines—is not our way of observing precepts.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Sincere Effort

If you say, “A recorded voice is precepts,” that is wrong understanding. What I am saying, what I am doing, whatever it is [laughs], that is precepts. So as a Buddhist, it is quite natural for us to take refuge in Buddha and dharma and sangha. In this way, precepts should be observed. In other words, it is sincere effort to make your life meaningful. This is precepts observation in its true sense.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

How Our Life Goes

Zen practice is a practice which happens within your big mind. Precepts observation is how our life goes in its true sense. Precepts—your life goes in that way automatically. That is precepts observation. If you think the precepts are some particular rules which were set by Buddha, that is wrong understanding.

Photo by Robert S. Boni

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

What Mind?

“With what mind do you [laughs] observe those precepts?” This is a kind of tricky question. With what mind? If you say, “With this kind of mind we observe precepts,” then it means your mind is separated from observing the precepts. Precepts are there, and your mind is here. That is dualistic understanding. The same thing will happen if you practice zazen with your mind. The same misunderstanding will happen to you.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Full Understanding of Precepts

Precepts are not 16 or 250 or 500 rules. There must be an innumerable number of precepts. So, it is necessary for us to have full understanding of precepts and to make effort to observe precepts. Whenever a great Zen master or religious hero appears, precepts observation is emphasized by them. And even before any great teachers like Dogen appeared, there were several famous masters who emphasized precepts.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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.

Physically and Mentally

Observation of the precepts is very important for Zen practice. If we eat too much, we cannot sit. If we do not have enough sleep, we cannot sit. So physically and mentally, you have to adjust your life so that you can sit. This is a very important point. Zen or Buddhism is actually a way of life, and the way of life is the precepts.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-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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Available for pre-order on Amazon

Respect Our Traditions

Even in a busy country like America, we should spend some time in this kind of practice. And I think we should have more composure in our lives, and we should respect our traditions, both Buddhist and Christian.

Peter Schneider and Brother David Steindl-Rast

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

Effort To Reform

Zen Buddhism was accepted completely by people after the Kamakura period. So, our effort is concentrated mainly inward. Even though they were fighting with each other, they did not forget to practice Zen and to make some effort to reform their characters.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

Very Simple

The pessimistic people in old times tried to make some compensation by their elaborate effort, building beautiful temples or making priests’ robes with lotus thread or making thousands of stupas. In this way they practiced repentance, so their sincerity should be appreciated fully, but their way was too elaborate, and their way was not practical enough. But the Zen way was very simple, and the teaching is very direct and to the point.

Sandy Hollister working on a rakusu

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

Practical

After studying Buddhism, we became more and more reflective. And we concentrated on working inwardly, instead of just making outward effort. Maybe before Zen Buddhism came, we became too pessimistic. And Zen Buddhism was very practical, although it is more strict and more simple, but it is practical.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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 Triple Treasure

After Buddhism was introduced to Japan, people became more and more pessimistic! They had to think more [laughs], and they had to reflect on themselves more. Before they thought, “We are doing everything right,” [laughs] but it was not so. So, Prince Shotoku set up the constitution of Japan, and he said, “It is necessary to improve our character. If we want to improve our character, it is necessary to study Buddhism. Without respecting Buddha, Dharma, Sangha—the Triple Treasures—how is it possible to reform our character?”

Wikimedia Commons

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

Sincere Practice

Everyone knows Zazen is very difficult. You cannot practice it completely. But we should not give up [laughs]. As long as we are human beings, we should not give up. We don’t need a reason why we should practice it. Before you realize the necessity of practice, you will ignore it. But your practice brings out various necessities that will drive sincere practice. In this way, our practice will be polished. And at the same time, our everyday life will be refined.

Photo by Tim Buckley

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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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Strict Discussion About The Teaching

For advanced students, we have more and more strict precepts. The last precept we recite, is “don’t ignore and don’t be blasphemous about the teaching.” This is the last one. Pretty advanced students will be critical of the teaching [laughs]. So, for such students we give very, very strict punishment [laughs], because of love. They will not like candy anyway. They will like strict discussion about the teaching.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

Within Yourself

It looks like a very impractical waste of time to sit here all day on your cushion [laughs]; but if you understand yourself, you will understand why we practice zazen. The necessity of zazen and the precepts are within yourself and not outside. We try to observe strict precepts for ourselves, not for others at all.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

Excerpt on Lion's Roar

What My Body Taught Me When It Stopped Working

The late Zen teacher Darlene Cohen was athletic, fearless, and self-reliant — until rheumatoid arthritis took her strength, her independence, and her ability to care for her own child in four months. What she found on the other side of denial wasn’t peace. It was curiosity. An excerpt from the new collection, Alive For It All — Wisdom for Everyday Life: The Teachings of Darlene Cohen, by Cynthia Kear.

Available from the San Francisco Zen Center Bookstore.

Rules and Laws

The usual meaning of rules and laws is that we observe them to protect citizens for the benefit of society. But Buddhist precepts are for each one of us and not for someone else. The precepts, which look unreal and idealistic, are really more practical for each human being and better satisfy our inmost request.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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 Human

And artistic expression of the teaching also is not perfect. But in art, too, that which was painted may be more real than actual existence [laughs]. It is the same thing with our teaching. Our teaching may seem more human than actual human nature.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

Intellectual Study

Intellectual study of Buddhism is of course necessary, but you should not stay at the edge of Buddhism. Intellectually, Patriarchs made a great effort. Even though they were often treated as heretics, they studied from a pure intellectual point of view and tried not to ignore the smallest illogical point of Buddhism. Historically there is some doubt about our lineage especially before Bodhidharma. Today everyone knows that the names and connections are not historically perfect, but we also know that Buddhism has been transmitted from warm hand to warm hand from Buddha’s time until our own day. The fact and spirit of the teaching have been transmitted. Historical or scientific studies are not perfect. There is a limit to scientific truth.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

As Your Own

It is necessary to have some aim in our life. The supreme aim as a Buddhist is to be a successor of our ancestors, to be a successor of the patriarchs. That is the most important point. Otherwise, you are studying Buddhism from the outside. You are always an outsider. For outsiders Buddhism is nothing. When you accept it as your own and when you try to develop it as your own, then Buddhism has tremendous meaning for us.

Image modified by Google Gemini

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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

https://cuke.com/f → https://www.cuke.com/pdf-2013/wind-bell/70-01-pages2-12.pdf or https://www.cuke.com/people/dixon-trudy.htm

Two Arrows Zen - Trudy Dixon (1938–1969)

Trudy Dixon (1938–1969): The Quiet Editor Who Helped Give American Zen Its Voice
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1c9WCLGJeW/
-thanks to Andrew Main for sending the link

Effort

Japanese members year after year, they paid the bank for this building. Even when they were in [World War II internment] camps at wartime, they collected the money in the camps and paid the mortgage. They were very proud of the effort which they made in the camps. But if you compare their effort to our ancestors’ efforts in India, China, and Japan, and our patriarchs’ devotion to this teaching, it is nothing. So, we should not forget this point, and we should continue this effort forever, generation after generation.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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.

Appreciation

Buddhism has many annual year layers like big trees. And traditionally we respect those efforts which our patriarchs have made for more than two thousand years. We have made a great effort to develop Buddha’s way. And this point is very, very important for Buddhism as a religion. Without appreciation of the efforts of our patriarchs, it is difficult to have religious feeling in Buddhism.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-12-11-B 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 True Activity of Big Existence

It is necessary to study Buddhism. But the purpose of studying Buddhism is to study ourselves, and to forget ourselves. When you forget yourselves, you resume or you will actually take the true activity of big existence or reality. When we realize this fact, there is no problem whatsoever in this world. And you can enjoy your life without having any trouble or difficulties. This is how we study Buddhism, and the purpose of this meeting or practice is to be aware of this fact.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-09-09 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 It?

Dogen Zenji says, “To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves” [laughs]. When you forget temporal expression of big, true nature, then it is necessary to talk about it, or else you will think this is it. But this is not it [laughs]. This is it, but this is not it [laughs]. For a while this is it, for a very small particle of time it is it [laughs]. It is not always so. It is not it.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-09-09 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.

No Mistake

So, there will not be any need to talk about ourselves. So that we may realize this fact, there is teaching about ourselves, but actually there is no need to talk about that. We ourselves already are talking about the big existence, including ourselves. So, to talk about ourselves is to correct our misunderstanding, that’s all, because we attach to the temporal form or color of the big activity. So, it is necessary to talk about what our body is, what our activity is, so that we do not make any mistake about it. So, to talk about something is to forget about ourselves.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-09-09 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.

Sometimes We Talk About

Rinzai has four ways of practice. The perfect one is not to give a student any interpretation of themself or any stimulation to themself. If oneself is my body, the teaching is maybe our clothes. Sometimes we talk about our clothing. Sometimes we talk about our body. But a body or clothing is not actually we ourselves. We ourselves are big activity. We are just taking a very small particle of big activity, that’s all.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-09-09 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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+

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True Food

When we become discouraged, we want some medicine. When we are in good spirits, we do not want any medicine. You should not take medicine for true food. Sometimes medicine is necessary, but medicine should not be our food.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-09-09 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.

Sangha Live 2026

Richard Baker Rōshi - Sunday Sangha
July 12, 2026

11 am PDT (LA) / 2 pm EDT (NY) / 7 pm BST (London) / 8 pm CEST (Paris).

90-minute live session.

https://sangha.live/free_live/sunday-sangha-12th-july-2026/

Just Medicine

Buddhism is the same thing as having breakfast and going to bed. This is Buddhism. Of course, some encouragement is necessary for us, but that encouragement is just encouragement. It is not the purpose or true purpose of practice. That is just medicine.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-09-09 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.

Doing What We Should Do

So, to hear, or to know what Buddhism is, or to feel something about Buddhism is not the main point. Whether Buddhism is good or bad [laughs] is not the question. We don’t mind whatever this is [laughs]. Buddhism is not good or bad. We are doing what we should do. That is Buddhism.

Image modified by Google Gemini

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-09-09 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.