Featured Cuke Archives page

Stuart Lachs was at the first practice period at Tassajara, and has practiced with many other groups through the years. Check out his website, and learn more about him in his podcast. - http://cuke.com/f

Alan Hozan Senauke in critical condition

 

Got to Alan Hozan Senauke's Caring Bridge page to learn more and leave a message. 

Alan's cuke page

Obstacle Buddha

When you have questions or problems in your practice, it means that you are not practicing shikantaza. If you practice shikantaza, you will be monkey-minded buddha in shikantaza. You will be pain-legged buddha in shikantaza. And your whole body will be obstacle buddha—or to be obstacle itself is buddha. Is there any problem, when whatever you do, that is buddha? That is shikantaza.

Photo by Shundo David Haye

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-10-12-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Way-seeking Mind

When I came to America, for a pretty long time as our old students know, I put emphasis on way-seeking mind. When we have true way-seeking mind—pure true way-seeking mind, we can practice our way without any problems.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-10-12-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

General Housecleaning

In Japan, once a year, we have general housecleaning. On that day, we take everything out [laughs]. We expel everything, even Buddha shrines or Shinto shrines. We take them out, and we clean completely our house. In the same way, I think, this kind of cleaning is necessary. Without this kind of effort, you pile up things one after another. Then you will be easily caught by the same old way of life, and you cannot practice zazen in its true sense. When you have this kind of spirit, you can practice shikantaza.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-10-12-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Again

I think you are very sincere students, but your conviction is not pure enough. I think that is why many teachers expelled disciples. If one is not ready to practice zazen, it is better to say, “Go away.” It means, “Come again.” [Laughs, laughter.] “Go away, and prepare for coming in again.” That is real kindness. I think we have to repeat this. Almost all of you should be expelled from zendo, and we should start Zen Center again [laughs]. How about it? [Laughs, laughter.] Again and again. “Go away!” Or, “Let’s do it again.” We must have this kind of spirit always, or else we cannot clean up our mind.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-10-12-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

RIP Maria Linde

 Condolences to Jed Linde and Monica. 

Jed Linde cuke page

No Gaining Idea

To practice our way even to attain enlightenment is not good because this kind of gaining idea usually is not pure enough. Instead of, “You should attain enlightenment, forgetting everything else,” we say, “Practice zazen without any gaining idea.” This is stronger instruction, more strict instruction. Without trying even to attain enlightenment, you should practice zazen.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-10-12-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Pure Enough

We say it takes time before you know what is zazen. But actually, why we say so is without this kind of conviction, you cannot give up everything and practice shikantaza. If you think, “I’ll sit two months more or three months more [laughs],” then your practice is not pure enough.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-10-12-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Featured Cuke Archives page

JJ Wilson founded the Women's Studies program at Sonoma State U. Her husband Phillip Wilson was one of Shunryu Suzuki's early ordained disciples. Listen to her podcasts and read her interview - http://cuke.com/f