Reflect on Ourselves

Without being strict with ourselves, we cannot do anything because that will be the wrong practice. So, first of all we should reflect on our practice. And before we say something, we should reflect on ourselves. This is a very, very important point. You should not rely on some teaching, but you should reflect on yourself, and polish yourself, and get rid of selfish ideas as much as you can, even if you have attained a wonderful enlightenment. If you forget to polish yourself, that enlightenment will not work. That is not real enlightenment.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

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Bill Porter is a translator and interpreter of Chinese Buddhist and Taoist poetry and texts, with books on Chinese hermits and travel. His pen name is Red Pine. Listen to our encore podcast and read more about him.

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photo is Alan with Laurie Senauke

Nothingness

Instead of putting emphasis on the Soto way, or Rinzai way, or Tendai way, we put emphasis on nothingness. Everything comes from nothing, and our way will be extended foever, limitlessly. That is how we study Buddhism.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Extend

If we understand some teaching literally and stick to the teaching, then Buddhism cannot be transmitted to us. When we limitlessly try to extend our true nature, instead of selfish, limited self, then Buddhism is there.

The Church Creek Canyon as seen from the Pine Ridge Trail

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

More Truth

Before the acolyte was enlightened, he thought, “I understand Buddhism.” And he thought, “My understanding is perfect.” That is why his understanding was not perfect. When he gave up his intellectual understanding, his limited understanding, and when he tried to seek for some more truth, then his mind was open and enlightened.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Just Sit

A gaining idea is based on a selfish idea. When you just sit because you are told to sit, only because that is Buddha’s way, then you have not much selfishness in your practice.

Chapel Hill Zen Group

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Studying

Studying is also practice. It is not just intellectual. It is not different from zazen because both are based on a non-selfish idea.

Joanne Kyger

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

A Teacher

Why you should have a teacher is to learn the truth in its pure form, excluding selfish practice.

L to R: Paul Discoe, Jane Westberg (Schneider), Shunryu Suzuki, Peter Schneider, Sotan Tatsugami, Dan Welch, Ryogen Yoshimura, Frances Thompson, Niels Holm, Margret Kress.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-04-08 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Vanja Palmers is a Zen teacher who was at the SFZC centers for years, ordained by Richard Baker, transmission from Kobun Chino. He talks about his life, his way-seeking mind story, work with animal rights, and psychedelics, dangerous hang gliding and his centers in Europe. Listen to our podcast and read more about him.