A student, filled with emotion and crying, implored, “Why is there so much suffering?”Suzuki Roshi replied, “No reason.
In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few
Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.
In your very imperfections you will find the basis for your firm, way-seeking mind.
To die is more important than trying to be alive. When we try to be alive, we have trouble. Rather than trying to be alive or active, if we can be calm and die or fade away into emptiness, then naturally we will be all right.
In zazen, leave your front door and your back door open. Let thoughts come and go. Just don’t serve them tea.
To have some deep feeling about Buddhism is not the point; we just do what we should do, like eating supper and going to bed. This is Buddhism.
Those who are attached only to the result of their effort will not have any chance to appreciate it, because the result will never come.
In your big mind, everything has the same value…In your practice you should accept everything as it is, giving to each thing the same respect given to a Buddha. Here there is Buddhahood
True communication depends upon our being straightforward with one another… But the best way to communicate may be just to sit without saying anything.
A mind full of preconceived ideas, subjective intentions, or habits it not open to things as they are.
When we say something, our subjective intention or situation is always involved. So there is no perfect word; some distortion is always present in a statement.
We emphasize straightforwardness. You should be true to your feelings, and to your mind, expressing yourself without any reservations. This helps the listener to understand more easily.
Treat every moment as your last. It is not preparation for something else.
Whereever you are, you are one with the clouds and one with the sun and the stars you see. You are one with everything. That is more true than I can say, and more true than you can hear.
The true purpose [of Zen] is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes… Zen practice is to open up our small mind.
In our practice we have no particular purpose or goal, nor any special object of worship.
To live in the realm of Buddha nature means to die as a small being, moment after moment.
In your practice you should accept everything as it is, giving to each thing the same respect given to a Buddha.
Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. Unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it. Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.
Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it. Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.