David Schneider has a new piece to share

 In Close Proximity—Part Two

Excerpts from Side Effect
A Journal of Zen Life with Philip Whalen
by Tensho David Schneider

Tensho David Schneider’s journal, Side Effect, came about from the idea that the sayings and doings of Philip Whalen—Zenshin Ryufu —would be of interest to others. It takes place during a golden decade (early 70s to early 80s) of the San Francisco Zen Center in what Whalen called his “life of elegant retirement,” and covers a period of 18 months. This is Part Two of excerpts from the unpublished manuscript.

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Effort

 Jeff Williamson: Docho Roshi, recently in my zazen I have been putting forth every bit of effort that I can find. And before too long-- before too long that I have been sitting there, I think that I should slow down, that I am trying too hard to have good practice. And then I think, “No, I am not trying too hard. I am putting forth my very best effort.” And I really do not understand what you mean when you say, “Put forth your very best effort, but be careful that you do not try too hard.” I do not know where to draw a line. I don't know when I'm doing one thing and when I'm doing the other. Could you please say something that would help me now? 

SR: “Try your best effort” means not to lose your way. Always keep up with your practice. That is what I mean. Of course, zazen practice is difficult because we should reject the two extreme. While you are practicing, it-- or while you are keep up with your practice-- everyday practice, you will find out how to reject the two extreme. So when you become frustrated, when you have problem, when you are discouraged, at that time you should try your best effort to resume your own practice. That is what I mean.        --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-11-11 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC  - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. - DC

Shosan Question

Jim Morton: Docho Roshi, if I look at the moon, on one hand I may think, “This is the moon.” And on the other hand I may think, “This is my own eye.” Is this Nirmanakaya and Sambhogakaya?

SR: Yes, it is. The moon-- you see by your eyes, and your eyes is the-- are not different, actually. So that is Nirmanakaya Buddha.          --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-11-11 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC  - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. - DC

Mel Weitsman stepping down ceremony

On October 24th, Berkeley Zen Center abbot Mel Weitsman had a stepping down ceremony after many decades being head and then abbot of that group. View a video of that ceremony.

snatched this from SFZC Sangha News which added: Over 200 people attended the livestreamed Stepping Down Ceremony for Sojun Mel Weitsman at Berkeley Zen Center on October 24. If you missed the ceremony you can view it on YouTube. And while you’re there, watch Sojun’s Zazen Instruction from September 2020.

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Obituaries for Diane Di Prima

New York Times Obituary for Diane (thanks John Steiner and Linda Ruth Cutts)

Washington Post Obit

NPR obit - thanks Daya

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Shosan Ceremony exchange

Ed Brown: Docho Roshi, thank you very much.

SR: Thank you very much.         --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-11-11 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC  - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. - DC

Erik Storlie on lIneage

 Lineage Delusions and Lineage Delusions Revisited by Erik Storlie

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Erik is a guest on a Cuke Audio podcast going up soon

Most Important

Claude Dalenberg: Docho Roshi: Incessant change and evanescence everywhere. Life is so short. What is the most important thing to do?

SR: To continue everyday practice forever.

Claude: Thank you.

SR: Good point.        --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-11-11 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC  - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. - DC

Opening statement for a Shosan Ceremony

If you want to know what buddha-nature is - which is not possible to know what it is-- but if you want to realize it, you should wait until it comes to you. If you want to talk about that which is not possible to talk about, present some words to me.       --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-11-11 as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC  - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. - DC

DC note: We've spent so much time with Suzuki's Lotus Sutra lecture excerpts recently, that I've skipped by 11 more Lotus Sutra lectures (68-10-00-D through N) to this Shosan Ceremony. Maybe I'll go back to the next one on the list when we're through with excerpts from this lecture. 

Another errata for Crooked Cucumber

In typing up excerpts from Crooked Cucumber to post on Facebook to give a flavor of the book to others, I come across a note I made on p. 108 (bottom paragraph) that Germany surrendered in May, not April as it states. - Rick Wicks

Thanks Rick. Duly noted and this will be another fix for the 2nd edition. My mistake was in just taking and not checking the date from the interview, with a student of Suzuki Roshi's from back then. 

The Eratta page is not up to date now because we've been working with a new transcrpt. So many have come from various sources through the years, a number last year and this. - DC