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Quote by Shunryu Suzuki

“You should rather be grateful for the weeds you have in your mind, because eventually they will enrich your practice.”

Quote by Shunryu Suzuki

Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

This book is a compilation of lectures and talks given by Shunryu Suzuki, a renowned Zen master. It delves into the core principles of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of simplicity, awareness, and the beginner's mind approach to life. The text is widely regarded as an accessible introduction to Zen Buddhism and its teachings. more

Author

Shunryu Suzuki, born on May 18, 1904, was a renowned Zen master from Japan. He played a significant role in spreading Zen culture in the Western world. more

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“In the zazen posture, your mind and body have, great power to accept things as they are, whether agreeable or disagreeable.”

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Author:Shunryu Suzuki

“The mind we have when we practice zazen is the great mind: we don't try to see anything; we stop conceptual thinking; we stop emotional activity; we just sit. Whatever happens to us, we are not bothered. We just sit. It is like something happening in the great sky. Whatever kind of bird flies through it, the sky doesn't care. That is the mind transmitted from Buddha to us.”

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Book:Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness: Zen Talks on the Sandokai

Source: Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness: Zen Talks on the Sandokai

“People say that practicing Zen is difficult, but there is a misunderstanding as to why. It is not difficult because it is hard to sit in the cross- legged position, or to attain enlightenment. It is difficult because it is hard to keep our mind pure and our practice pure in its fundamental sense.”

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Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

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“Although we have no actual written communications from the world of emptiness, we have some hints or suggestions about what is going on in that world, and that is, you might say, enlightenment. When you see plum blossoms or hear the sound of a small stone hitting bamboo, that is a letter from the world of emptiness.”

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Author:Shunryu Suzuki

“All descriptions of reality are limited expressions of the world of emptiness. Yet we attach to the descriptions and think they are reality. That is a mistake.”

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Author:Shunryu Suzuki

“When you are practicing zazen, do not try to stop your thinking. Let it stop by itself. If something comes into your mind, let it come in, and let it go out. It will not stay long. When you try to stop your thinking, it means you are bothered by it. Do not be bothered by anything. It appears as if something comes from outside your mind, but actually it is only the waves of your mind, and if you are not bothered by the waves, gradually they will become calmer and calmer.”

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Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

“The purpose of studying Buddhism is not to study Buddhism, but to study ourselves.”

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Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

“Zen is not some fancy, special art of living. Our teaching is just to live, always in reality, in its exact sense. To make our effort, moment after moment, is our way.”

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Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

“No teaching could be more direct than just to sit down.”

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Author:Shunryu Suzuki

“The point we emphasize is strong confidence in our original nature.”

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Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice

Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice