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Quote by Shunryu Suzuki

“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.”

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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“So it is not a matter of whether it is possible to attain Buddhahood, or if it is possible to make a tile a jewel. But just to work, just to live in this world with this understanding is the most important point, and that is our practice. That is true zazen.”

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“If you take pride in your attainment or become discouraged because of your idealistic effort, your practice will confine you by a thick wall.”

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Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

“When we do not expect anything we can be ourselves. That is our way, to live fully in each moment of time.”

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Author:Shunryu Suzuki

“Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. Strictly speaking, for a human being, there is no other practice than this practice; there is no other way of life than this way of life.”

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Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

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

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Book:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Source: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

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

Mind Body Accepting Mind And Body Posture Great Power Disagreeable

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

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.”

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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