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Title Speaker Date

Suzuki’s Curriculum Vitae

Serial: 69-09-16-W Tuesday, September 16, 1969 [I dated this 69-09-16 because it was made by Shunryu Suzuki with Kobun Chino’s assistance in order to help Suzuki with his interview with Peter Schneider dated that day. - DC-3-09] [Is this in his... -
Sep 16 1969
W

Pure Silk, Sharp Iron

Serial: SR-00246 Sitting cross-legged - and then what? Having the right state of mind. Chinese and Japanese culture. His absent-mindedness, impatience. Virtue of endurance. The talk explores the concept of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of attaining a certain state of mind through both physical posture and deep personal experience. It draws analogies from Japanese and Chinese cultural...
Zazen, Dogen, Culture, Ego, Transmission, training, Patience, Forms, Pain, War, American,...
Sep 14 1969

Zazen: Unlocking True Nature

Serial: KR-00036 The talk explicates Dogen's pivotal chapter "Bendo wa" from the "Shobo Genzo," emphasizing the primacy of Zazen as the essential practice within Zen Buddhism and the unique characteristics of single and direct transmission. The...
Transmission, Chanting, Birth-and-Death, Teacher-and-Student, Religion, Buddha Mind, Silence,...
Sep 07 1969

Experiencing Zen: Intuition Over Instruction

Serial: KR-00029 The talk delves into the essence of Zen, emphasizing the concept of "nothing" as a foundational understanding, where teachings are not delivered through structured lessons but instead through direct experiences and interactions....
Instruction, Concentration, Samadhi, difficulty, training, lecture, Meditation, realization...
Sep 03 1969

Sesshin, Sixth Night Lecture

Serial: SR-00129 TassajaraSeptember, 1969 The talk focuses on Zen teachings regarding the distinction between the "small mind" and the "big mind," exemplified in the exchange between the Seventeenth Patriarch and the Eighteenth Patriarch about whether it is the bell or...
Sesshin, Don't Know Mind, Posture, Ceremony, Addiction, Duality, Beginners, Zazen,...
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Sesshin, Third Night Lecture

Serial: SR-00130 TassajaraSeptember, 1969 The talk delves into the intersection of practice and enlightenment in Zen, emphasizing that true practice encompasses everything, aligning with Dogen Zenji's teachings. The practice, whether in zazen or sutra recitation,...
Sesshin, Emptiness, reality, Passions, Intuition, Bell, Forms, American, difficulty...
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Shosan Ceremony

Serial: SR-00213 TassajaraSeptember, 1969 [Beginning of ceremony not recorded.] The talk centers on a Shosan Ceremony at Tassajara, emphasizing the nature of karma, the integration of breath practices, and the duality of life and death from a Zen perspective. The discussion explores various philosophical...
Sesshin, Shosan, Perfect Wisdom, Dragons, Breath, Death, Intuition, Lay, Bell, Continuous...
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Stand Up By The Ground

Serial: SF-05209 Protection Master "Suzuki Roshi summer sesshin 1969 2nd night lecture Sesshin, Second Night LectureSeptember, 1969Tassajara The talk discusses the concept of "inmo," as presented by Dogen Zenji, exploring its dual nature as both a definitive presence and a question, with parallels drawn to the term "it" in English. The speaker elaborates on how this...
Sesshin, Dogen, Time, Continuous Practice, Freedom, Doubt
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Wherever You Are, Enlightenment Is There

Serial: SF-05184 Sesshin: First Night Lecture, “I Don't Know Zazen”September 1969Tassajara Knowing that we have buddha nature even while we are in the dualistic world of good and bad. Analogy with various parts of a meal. Analogy... The talk addresses the dual nature of existence, emphasizing the recognition of buddha-nature amidst dualistic notions of good and bad. It highlights the importance of zazen practice in realizing enlightenment within imperfection...
Dogen, Buddha Nature, Enlightenment, Practice, Enlightenment, Zazen
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Our Practice And Our Everyday Activity

Serial: SF-05396 Saturday, August 30, 1969 Newly uploaded recording should be clearer to transcribe The talk emphasizes the integration of Zen practice into everyday life, focusing on the concept of "suchness" or "thusness" as described by Dogen. The discussion explores how understanding and experiencing this suchness, through...
Concentration, Composure, Gratitude, Fundraising, Posture, training, Faith
Aug 30 1969
Tassajara

Some Questions

Serial: SR-00133 The talk focuses on the essence of Zen practice, particularly zazen, emphasizing the integration of mindfulness with the body and the experience of reality beyond personal feelings of enlightenment. The discussion also covers the...
Question-and-Answer, Breath, Buddha Nature, Posture, sitting, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center,...
Aug 28 1969
Tassajara

Everyday Zen: Path to Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00035 The talk explores the Zen teaching method that emphasizes everyday activities like washing dishes and cleaning as vital practices for understanding life and achieving enlightenment. The speaker contrasts this experiential...
Monastic Practice, training, American, Meditation, Bell, Ego, Emotions, difficulty, Religion...
Aug 26 1969

Question and Answer

Serial: SR-00083 The talk examines the themes of suffering, ignorance, and practice in Zen Buddhism, focusing on how improvement and motivation can relate to suffering. It discusses the concepts of ignorance as both a hindrance and a source of...
Question-and-Answer, Buddha Nature, Suffering, Separation, Pain, American, Anger, Attachment,...
Aug 25 1969
Tassajara

Twelve Links of Causation

Serial: SR-00135 Twelve Links Of Causation Juni-innen (Jap.) Dvada-aiga-pratatyasamutpada (San.) English Japanese Sanskrit -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1. ignorance mumyo avidya 2. action... The talk explores the "Twelve Links of Causation" in Buddhist philosophy, contrasting classical explanations with earlier scriptural interpretations. The discussion highlights the links' role in explaining life's suffering, as...
Consciousness, Suffering, causation, Discrimination, Emptiness, Fasting, Passions, confusion,...
Aug 23 1969
Tassajara

Some Questions

Serial: SF-05087A Roshi's Lectures - 2 of them - Aug 21 Side 2 Q&A session Q1 - explain 12 links of causation, Q - war - striving for a cause - even peace is necessary though futile (on cassette) - Dan Gourley #4 The talk primarily focuses on understanding the Buddhist Twelve Links of Causation and its relation to ignorance, free will, and interdependence. The speaker explains that everything originates from ignorance, and through a...
Question-and-Answer, Practice, Time, Suffering
Aug 21 1969
Tassajara

Our Way To Attain Liberation

Serial: SF-05087B Tassajara Story of the Sixth Patriarch. Practice with everyone else at the monastery, without self-centered ideas. Answering student questions. Dan Gourley reel #4 The talk centers on the nature of Buddhist practice and the attainment of enlightenment, emphasizing the understanding that practice is integral to realizing one's true mind. The story of the Sixth Patriarch is used to illustrate...
Sixth Patriarch, Monastic Practice, Japan, Sixth Patriarch, Practice, Time
Aug 21 1969
Tassajara

Some Questions

Serial: SR-00128 The talk primarily addresses questions concerning Zen practices, focusing on the nuances between counting-breath meditation and shikantaza, the function of rituals like bowing and chanting in ego purification, and exploring the...
Question-and-Answer, Precepts, Doubt, Continuous Practice, Concentration, Birth-and-Death,...
Aug 12 1969

Not Always So

Serial: SR-00124 August Sesshin Lecture Thursday, August 7, 1969 San Francisco The talk focuses on the Zen concept of impermanence and perspective, emphasizing that things are not always as they seem, using water as a metaphor. It illustrates how perception changes based on context and stresses the...
Sesshin, Dogen, Interdependence, Freedom, Gratitude, Composure, Posture, Emptiness, Truth...
Aug 07 1969
Sokoji

To Actually Practice Selflessness

Serial: SR-00125 August Sesshin Lecture Wednesday, August 6, 1969 San Francisco The talk explores the practice of zazen to cultivate selflessness by confronting difficulties such as physical pain and emotional reactions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the concept of "no self-nature...
Sesshin, Pain, Fox, Precepts, Freedom, Funeral, Monks, Liberation, difficulty, Continuous...
Aug 06 1969
Sokoji

We Practice Zazen So That We Attain Selflessness

Serial: SR-00137 The talk explores the concept of selflessness in Zen practice, emphasizing zazen as a means to transcend the illusion of a permanent self. By referencing Dogen Zenji's "Sansuikyo" from the Shobogenzo, it highlights the...
Suffering, Wisdom, Dragons, Don't Know Mind, Meditation, Separation, sitting, lecture,...
Aug 03 1969
Tassajara

The First Teaching

Serial: SR-00158 Teaching of impermanence, everything changing; also there is selflessness, suffering and nirvana. The sufferings of birth, death, sickness and old age. Causes of suffering, because of ego. The talk explores the essential teachings of Buddhism, focusing on impermanence (shogyo-mujo), selflessness, suffering, and nirvana, known collectively as the "four seals of Buddhist teaching." It outlines how ignorance, arising...
Suffering, Ego, Impermanence, Birth-and-Death, Suffering, Wisdom, Truth, Attachment, heart,...
Aug 02 1969
Tassajara

The Most Important Precept

Serial: SR-00035 The talk explores the fundamental Buddhist precept that all beings and objects, animate and inanimate, are buddha in a broader sense, emphasizing a universal, dynamic understanding of "dhamma" beyond written scriptures. Two...
Precepts, Dogen, Eiheiji, Sanctuary, Hate, Suffering, Truth
Aug 01 1969
Tassajara

Ignorance and Illumination in Zen

Serial: KR-00026 The talk discusses the concepts of Zen meditation (Zenjo) and the profound significance of ignorance (Mumyo) in Buddhist practice. It emphasizes the role of concentration towards attaining enlightenment, discussing how ignorance...
Concentration, Meditation, causation, Obstacles, Delusion, Karma, Intention, Nirvana, Religion...
Aug 1969

That is the purpose of counting

Serial: SR-00034 This talk explores Zen practice and its approach to dealing with anger, truth, and enlightenment, emphasizing direct experience over intellectual understanding. Key discussions include the purpose of counting in Zen walking,...
Truth, Daily Life, Anger, reality, Karma, Emptiness, Wisdom
Jul 28 1969
Tassajara

Blue Cliff Records-43

Serial: SR-00032 Tozan's hot and cold. The talk explores the Zen koan "Blue Cliff Records-43" focusing on a dialogue between a monk and Zen Master Tozan regarding handling extreme conditions like heat and cold. The discussion emphasizes the practice of "killing hot...
Blue Cliff Record, Emptiness, Pain, Monks, difficulty, Forms, Hate, Commitment, sitting,...
Jul 26 1969
Tassajara

Embracing Change Through Mindful Balance

Serial: KR-00028 The talk delves into the Buddhist concept of "right view" and "right thought," emphasizing the importance of understanding the nature of existence through the constant dynamics of change, and the principles of the Middle Path,...
Concentration, Monastic Practice, Ceremony, Delusion, Meditation, Instruction, lecture...
Jul 22 1969

Enjoy Your Life

Serial: SR-00031 Talk on the moon landing The talk explores the insignificance of external achievements, such as the moon landing, emphasizing the importance of introspection and cultivating a deeper understanding of life through zazen practice. It highlights that true...
heart, Observe
Jul 20 1969

I have nothing in my mind

Serial: SR-00029 The talk explores the practice of shikantaza in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing its distinction from simply sitting without purpose and its comparative nature to koan practice. It underscores the importance of integrating effort,...
Emptiness, Forms, Zazen, Buddha Nature, Freedom, Passions, Interview, Beginners, Balance,...
Jul 15 1969
Sokoji

Eulogy For Trudy Dixon Given During Her Funeral Ceremony

Serial: SR-00028 Words from the funeral eulogy for Trudy Dixon. Magnanimous mind This eulogy reflects on the completion of a disciple's practice, emphasizing the profound realization and embodiment of the Buddha-mind, as delineated by Dogen Zenji. It outlines the transformation into the joyful, compassionate...
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Dogen, Buddha Mind, Buddha Mind, Passions, Compassion...
Jul 11 1969
Sokoji

FORM AND EMPTINESS II

Serial: SR-00027 Wednesday, July 9, 1969 Tassajara The talk explores the intricate relationship between form and emptiness, focusing on how understanding these concepts in Zen practice can transcend dualistic thinking. Emphasis is placed on the roles of different minds within the...
Heart Sutra, Emptiness, Forms, reality, Enemies, Truth, training, American, Duality, Balance...
Jul 09 1969
Tassajara

Zen in Action: Mindful Living

Serial: KR-00027 The talk explores the concept of the union of mind and object, or "Sinkyo Ichi," within Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of integrating this state into daily life rather than viewing it as merely an ecstatic, detached...
Hate, Bell, Concentration, American, Discrimination, Observe, training, Meditation, Pain,...
Jul 09 1969

Question And Answer Session

Serial: SR-00025 Tuesday, July 8, 1969 San Francisco The talk revolves around various aspects of Zen practice, particularly focusing on the concepts of purity, naturalness, and enlightenment within the context of zazen. It is emphasized that the goal of practice should not be...
Question-and-Answer, Don't Know Mind, Anger, Greed, Emotions, Zazen, Culture, Precepts,...
Jul 08 1969
Sokoji

Practice Should Be The Practice Of “Right Now.”

Serial: SR-00024 Thursday, July 3, 1969 Tassajara The talk discusses the concept of practicing Zen in the present moment, highlighting the doctrine of "Form is emptiness and emptiness is form" as it relates to the immediacy and reality of experiences. The ideas of shochuhen,...
Heart Sutra, Emptiness, Forms, Faith, reality, training, Enemies, War, Death...
Jul 03 1969
Tassajara

Zen Clarity Through Communal Practice

Serial: KR-00021 The talk examines the concept of "jyakujo," which signifies tranquility or silence in Zen practice. It emphasizes that true clarity and tranquility in Zen arise from continuous and communal practice rather than isolated...
Silence, Monastic Practice, Delusion, Birth-and-Death, Community, Obstacles, Balance,...
Jul 03 1969

It Is Rather Difficult For Us To Figure Out Why We Started To Practice Zazen

Serial: SR-00023 Tuesday, July 1, 1969 Tassajara The talk focuses on the significance of practicing zazen and how determination and understanding of one’s true nature impact this practice. It questions the cultural perception of zazen in both America and Japan, emphasizing the...
American, Freedom, Priest, zen, Offering, Religion, Culture, Ceremony, difficulty, sitting...
Jul 01 1969
Tassajara

Rinzai Zen and Soto Zen

Serial: SR-00033 July 1969San Francisco Morning. The talk analyzes the differences between Rinzai Zen and Soto Zen, emphasizing Dogen Zenji’s resolution of the koan regarding the necessity of zazen if all beings have buddha-nature. The discussion highlights Dogen's conclusion...
Dogen, Buddha Nature, Evil, Freedom, Priest, Ego, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Transmission...
Jul 1969
Sokoji

Awakening Through Mindful Practice

Serial: KR-00018 The talk emphasizes the importance of not forgetting and seeking a good teacher, protector, and helper through the practice of right thought, known as Shonen, and reflects deeply on the Buddhist principles of transiency and cause...
Observe, Meditation, training, causation, Evil, Posture, Community, Religion, Karma, Breath...
Jun 30 1969

Emptiness is Form

Serial: SF-05968 Sunday, June 29, 1969 San Francisco Newly uploaded version has speed adjustments made; should be a little clearer for transcript - not just end, but correcting throughout. The talk explores the interplay between form and emptiness, emphasizing that understanding and embodying "form is emptiness" and "emptiness is form" is crucial in Zen practice. The discussion highlights the necessity of...
Heart Sutra, Emptiness, Current Events, Balance, Faith, Beginners, Continuous Practice...
Jun 29 1969
Tassajara

Mindfulness in Motion: Zen Wisdom

Serial: KR-00017 The talk delves into the concept of "right thought" (shonen) within the context of transiency and emptiness in Buddhism, emphasizing how one's mind should persistently adapt to the world of constant change. It draws from Zen...
Ceremony, Observe, Delusion, Meditation
Jun 28 1969

Mindful Presence in Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00016 The talk delves into the concepts of right mindfulness, or "shonen," and "not forgetting," integral to Zen practice. The discussion emphasizes that maintaining right mindfulness equates to continuously thinking and being present...
Mindfulness, lecture, Concentration, Happiness
Jun 24 1969

Direct Experience of Reality

Serial: SR-00020 The lecture emphasizes the importance of direct experience and practice in attaining enlightenment, drawing a distinction between "teisho" (teaching with koan) and "kowa" (philosophical lecture). The discussion stresses the...
Baso, Dogen, lecture, Sutra, Forms, Pain, sitting
Jun 22 1969
Sokoji

How should we establish our system of practice in San Francisco

Serial: SR-00019 Tuesday Evening, June 17, 1969San Francisco Just sit, and follow the teacher's instruction. Story of four kinds of horse. Humans go to the moon, but don't understand themselves. Have no ideas about Buddhahood, or worry... The talk discusses the importance of establishing a structured and genuine zazen practice in San Francisco. It explores the distinction between merely formal or rigid practices and practices that truly integrate and realize...
Rinzai, Soto Zen, Dogen, Zazen, New Year, Concentration, Big Mind, Priest, Pain, Addiction,...
Jun 17 1969
Sokoji

Zen Water Wisdom: Unyielding Effort Unfolds

Serial: KR-00015 The talk discusses the concept of human effort in Zen philosophy, using the metaphor of striving energetically as a trickle of water bore a hole in a rock. The terms "shojin" and "shozen shojin" are analyzed through their...
Consciousness, Big Mind, Obstacles, Emotions, New Year, Samadhi, Suffering, Ego, Hate,...
Jun 10 1969

Reviving Dogen's Dharma Transmission

Serial: KR-00081 The talk focuses on the contrasting views of Manzan and Doctrine regarding the Dharma transmission in Sōtō Zen during the Edo period. The discussion emphasizes the critical need for realization in both teachers and disciples,...
Dharma Transmission, Transmission, realization, Ceremony, difficulty, Mandala, Soto Zen...
Jun 10 1969

Yakusan did not give lectures for a long time

Serial: SF-05961 June 1969Tassajara Story of Yakusan saying he was not a teacher to give lectures. Making effort, and paying attention. What is right effort? The primary focus of the talk is on the concept of effort in Zen Buddhism, particularly contrasting "right effort" with the typical efforts driven by materialistic goals. This discourse emphasizes learning from the story of...
Priest, Freedom
Jun 1969
Tassajara

Suzuki's 65th Birthday

Serial: SR-00018 Sunday Morning, May 18, 1969Sokoji, San Francisco The talk reflects on the nuances of Zen practice as it relates to aging and sincerity, emphasizing a practice of humility and continuous learning through interactions with fellow practitioners. It advocates for a fundamental Zen...
Priest, Building, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Beginners, Instruction, Anger, Posture, Pain...
May 18 1969
Sokoji

How To Take Our Bodhisattva's Vow

Serial: SR-00017 Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1969 San Francisco The talk focuses on the nature and significance of the Bodhisattva's Vow within Buddhism, arguing that it transcends the dichotomy of Mahayana and Hinayana traditions. The discussion critiques rigid adherence to precepts and...
Bodhisattva Vow, Dogen, Agama Sutra, Precepts, Mahayana, Sutra, Observe, Freedom, Vow, Enemies...
Apr 29 1969
Sokoji

Transcending Ego: Embracing Zen Selflessness

Serial: KR-00313 The talk explores the concept of selflessness in Zen Buddhism, guided by Dogen's writings, specifically the chapter "Genjo Koan" in Shobo Genzo. It emphasizes that enlightenment, life and death, and moral dualities such as good...
Evil, Birth-and-Death, Attachment, Don't Know Mind, Community, Religion, Suffering, Pain...
Apr 29 1969

Jumping Off the 100-Foot Pole

Serial: SR-00016 Sunday Lecture Sunday, April 20, 1969 The talk explores the purpose of Zen practice despite possessing inherent buddha-nature, delving into the teachings of Dogen Zenji. The discussion emphasizes the misunderstanding of buddha-nature as an innate, static quality,...
Buddha Nature, Evil, Priest, Big Mind, Compassion, Continuous Practice, reality...
Apr 20 1969

Listening to Silence: Path to Harmony

Serial: KR-00013 The talk examines the concept of transcending suffering through Zen practice by emphasizing the importance of listening to silence and tranquility amidst life's unavoidable challenges. It highlights the teachings of Dogen Zenji...
Silence, Big Mind, Suffering, Meditation, Birth-and-Death, Fox, Patience, Vow, Compassion,...
Apr 19 1969

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