Study a Koan from Various Angles

This kind of koan is very interesting. If you study a koan from various angles, you will appreciate the endless, limitless meaning in it. Our way of life should be like this. And even between a great Zen master and great disciple, the way we talk will not be different from a usual person. But the difference is whether we are ready for various circumstances and conditions. — Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-12-02 - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.

A Very Tricky Question

“What is it?” This is a very tricky question. It may be wild geese. And, at the same time, it is not just wild geese. When we see something, buddha-nature should follow. So wild geese are not just wild geese. For Zen students wild geese are not wild geese. Hyakujo is not just Hyakujo, and Baso Horsemaster too. He is also buddha-nature itself. — Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-12-02 - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.

Something to Appreciate

It is not something to acquire, but it is something to appreciate. Just to sit is to be ready for various activities or stimulation which will come from outside. But if your mind is caught by something, you will lose your true mind. So, without being caught by anything, just to sit without even thinking is our true practice. — Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-12-02 - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.

Inner Power of Practice

Our inner power of practice will respond to each situation like a bell. If hit strong, the sound will be strong. If hit soft, the sound will be soft. Our true nature or true power does not make sounds, but actually whatever we do, the power should be there. We should understand our Zen practice power this way. — Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-12-02 - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.

Go Back One Mile

The power to pull is the power to push. There is no power just to pull or just to push. So, that you can go one mile means that you can go one mile backward. In your everyday life, if you want to go one mile, you should practice zazen and go back one mile. — Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-12-01-B - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.

A New Japanese Translation of Zen Mind Beginner's Mind

Zen Maindo Begnazu Maindo translated into Japanese by Issho Fujita, published by PHP Institute in 2022. A complete translation of the 50th Anniversary Edition with David Chadwick's Afterword.

Among Steve Jobs’ favorite books ever since his early years. THE ULTIMATE INTRODUCTION TO ZEN! Translated and published in more than 24 countries! A new translation of the ancient authors’ words made easy to understand by an active priest who taught for many years in America! - banner translated by Fred Harriman

ZMBM versions

Know the Point of Practice

If you do not know the point of practice, even if you have a good Zen master, you cannot study Zen because you cannot appreciate true activity. If you know why you should practice zazen and what zazen is, you will find out the way we should be: how to achieve something without much effort. — Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-12-01-B - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.

Without Trying To Be Appropriate

When we stop working, we should stop working. We should not be too enthusiastic. If I am caught by something in my work, I lose complete freedom from the work. To practice quite naturally in an appropriate way, without trying to be appropriate, is the way it should be. — Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-12-01-B - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.

Quite Natural

So to do something with the right feeling is the purpose of practice. You may see someone who does things in quite appropriate ways with a very harmonious feeling. If someone else imitates his practice, it will be an extremely rigid way. But for him it is quite natural. I know some Zen masters who had this kind of feeling.  --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki  lecture - 67-12-01-B - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.

Realize the Limitless Meaning

 Although it may be difficult to understand when I say, you do not take a bath because you are dirty; you do not wash your face because it is dirty. We mean your everyday activity should not be too involved in restrictive ideas. You should not evaluate too much or too little. You should obtain freedom in your way and realize the limitless meaning of our activity.  --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki  lecture - 67-12-01-B - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.