Home / Quotes / Quote by Shunryu Suzuki

Quote by 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.”

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

Work

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

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness is a compilation of Zen Buddhist talks that delve into the profound teachings of the Sandokai, a classic text that discusses the interdependence of all phenomena. The book aims to illuminate the nature of reality, the unity of existence, and the Zen path to enlightenment. more

Author

Shunryu Suzuki

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

“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.”

People Mind Hard Difficult Practice Position Pure Enlightenment Crosses Fundamentals Misunderstanding

Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

“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.”

World Might Sound Written Communication Enlightenment Stones Letters Emptiness Hitting Suggestions Hints Plums Bamboo Plum Blossoms

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.”

Thinking World Reality Mistake Expression Emptiness Description

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.”

Ifs Thinking Trying Mind Mean Long Wave Let It Go Bothered Calmer Not Bothered