The Suzuki Roshi Audio Archive

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Title Speaker Date

Funeral Service for Suzuki Roshi

Serial: SR-00171 This is a full recording of Suzuki Roshi's funeral, held nine days after his death. During the funeral service for Suzuki Roshi, various speakers and participants commemorate his life and teachings. This event acknowledges the profound impact Suzuki Roshi had on the dissemination of Zen Buddhism outside of Japan...
Ceremony, Funeral, Suzuki Roshi, Soto Zen, zen, Ceremony, Vow, Discrimination...
Dec 12 1971
City Center

Talking To His Disciples About His Illness

Serial: SR-00186 Sunday, October 9, 1971In His Room, City Center, San Francisco In the discussion, the theme revolves around an individual sharing updates about their health diagnosis and reflections on life. The individual humorously identifies as a "lazy monk" while explaining a recent shift in...
Cancer, Teacher-and-Student, Monks
Oct 09 1971
City Center

Wherever You Are, We Have Zen Way Of Practice

Serial: SR-00101 The talk explores the universal application of Zen practice beyond specific locations like Tassajara or city zendos, emphasizing that Zen practice encompasses every aspect of life, everywhere, not just in traditionally defined...
Dogen, Shobogenzo, Genjokoan, Suffering, Pain, Don't Know Mind, Happiness, Freedom,...
Aug 21 1971
City Center

Why We Must Have Rules

Serial: SR-00177 In this exploration of the tensions between structured practice and intrinsic nature within Zen Buddhism, the focus is drawn to how rules and regulations pertain to the actualization of buddha-nature. The discourse delves into...
First Principle, Big Mind, Family Practice, Bell, Breath, lecture, Sutra, Observe...
Aug 17 1971
Tassajara

Wind Stops, But Still Flower Falls

Serial: SR-00163 This audio has been improved, so more of the students' questions may be discernible. The talk delves into the Zen understanding of existence and non-existence using the metaphor of natural elements such as wind, flowers, and birds to illustrate the Zen concept of "there is" and "there is not....
Ummon, Faith, Freedom, reality, Dragons, Community, Emptiness, Wisdom, Building, American,...
Aug 15 1971
Tassajara

Speciality and Equality.

Serial: SR-00161 In this talk, the concept of "speciality" versus "equality" is explored within the context of constant change. The notion that speciality refers to the distinct purpose or reason for each entity's...
First Principle, Freedom, Baizhang, Death, Bell, Building, reality
Aug 13 1971
Tassajara

Obon Days

Serial: SR-00166 This talk explores the cultural and historical contexts of the Obon festival in Japan, an event honoring ancestral spirits, and how these practices relate to broader Asian cultural and spiritual histories. The discussion provides...
Ceremony, Big Mind, Nishiari Bokusan, Offering, Suffering, American, Faith
Aug 12 1971
Tassajara

Questions and Answers

Serial: SR-00167 The talk revolves around a Zen master's Q&A session addressing various concerns of the students related to Zen practice, perception, and daily challenges within a Zen community setting. Students engage with questions ranging...
Question-and-Answer, Yaoshan, Truth, Community, Breath, Anger, Freedom, Faith...
Aug 08 1971
Tassajara

Zen Is Actually, In Short, Maybe, Communication

Serial: SR-00162 The key theme of this talk is the integral role of effective communication in Zen practice, particularly between teachers and students. It emphasizes the non-duality of existence, suggesting that a perceived separation between...
Teacher-and-Student, Question-and-Answer, Breath, Interview, Bell, Community, Wisdom, American...
Aug 07 1971
Tassajara

Good Confidence In Your Practice

Serial: SR-00170 The discussion delves into the historical interplay between Bodhidharma and the King of Liang, exploring the nature of true Buddhist practice versus ritualistic or superficial engagement with the faith. The dialogue between...
Bodhidharma, First Principle, Bell, Wisdom, Breath, Building, American, Faith...
Aug 05 1971
Tassajara

On Bodhidharma's Day

Serial: SR-00103 The talk explores the profound teachings of Bodhidharma, focusing on his significant dialog with Hannyatara, the twenty-seventh patriarch, which delves into the concept of "fuki muso" — a state of non-arising and formlessness....
Ceremony, Non-duality, Nirvana, Dragons, Breath, Enemies, Building, Faith
Aug 04 1971
Tassajara

Because Of Our Many Desires, We Do Not Have Freedom

Serial: SR-00102 The talk discusses the nature of desires and the Buddhist path to freedom from worldly attachments, arguing that our desires restrict our freedom and cause suffering. It emphasizes practicing mindfulness to overcome these...
Freedom, Desire, Changsha, Suffering, Dana, Death, Lay, Offering, Bell, Truth...
Aug 03 1971
Tassajara

At the Time of Yakusan

Serial: SF-06061 New version of this lecture has been uploaded, which may allow for more of the transcript to be done. The talk explores the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism during the time of Zen Master Yakusan Igen. It highlights the episode where Yakusan, known for his silent teachings, eludes giving a lecture as a means to impart...
Yaoshan, Faith
Aug 01 1971
Tassajara

Translation of Unknown Text

Serial: SR-00183 August 1971San Francisco The talk focuses on the symbolic and spiritual significance of the shaved head in Zen practice, highlighting its superior merit compared to the construction of a jewel-adorned stupa. The discourse accentuates that the act of...
Ceremony, Priest, Hate, Passions, Attachment, Forms
Aug 1971
City Center

To Attain The Perfection Of Human Practice

Serial: SR-00189 The talk delves into the historical and evolving nature of Buddhist precepts, particularly highlighting their transition from prohibitive to positive elements designed not merely for individual enlightenment but for the benefit...
Ceremony, First Principle, Mahayana, Buddha Nature, Building, Breath, Evil, Doubt, Enemies,...
Jul 30 1971
Tassajara

Ryaku Fusatsu Lecture

Serial: SR-00182 The audio of this tape has been improved, so the missing parts of the transcript may be worked out now. The talk explores the practice and historical background of Ryaku Fusatsu, a simplified observance of Buddhist precepts that are held at Tassajara in a manner similar to those at Eiheiji. The discussion covers the roots of the...
Ceremony, Eiheiji, Bodhisattva Precepts, Evil, Bell, Balance, heart, Death, Truth...
Jul 29 1971
Tassajara

Blue Cliff Records 61 - Fuketsu's One Particle Of Dust

Serial: SR-00190 The talk explores the concept of "big mind" versus "small mind" in Zen practice, emphasizing the idea of "no-mind" as true enlightenment. Through the koan of Fuketsu's "One Particle of Dust," the discussion highlights the...
Blue Cliff Record, Breath, Constancy, Freedom, Faith, Diversity, Greed, Religion, Anger,...
Jul 26 1971
Tassajara

Universal Practice for Laymen and Monks

Serial: SR-00175 Whatever you do is practice; be careful not to practice for the sake of the self. Zazen as a way to find realization and get used to realization. Whether priest or layperson, practice to develop buddha mind, not the small self. The talk outlines the concept of practice within Zen, emphasizing the importance of selflessness and the development of buddha-mind over self-centered practices. Practice, illustrated through activities like zazen, aims to reduce...
Practice, Zazen, Bodhisattva, Dogen, Sixth Patriarch, Buddha Mind, Faith, Truth, Fasting,...
Jul 25 1971
Tassajara

Virtue of Mountain and River

Serial: SR-00181 The talk explores the teachings of Dogen Zenji, particularly focusing on the concepts of movement and stillness as expressed in the "Virtue of Mountains and Rivers" and "Genjo-koan" chapters from the Shobogenzo. It examines the...
Dogen, Shobogenzo, First Principle, Soto Zen, Rinzai, Faith, Breath, sitting, Pain, Bell,...
Jul 24 1971
Tassajara

San-Pachi-Nenju

Serial: SF-06030 The talk explores the practice of san-pachi-nenju, focusing on its integration with the Soto and Rinzai traditions and the importance of embodying non-dualistic principles in daily life. It highlights the need for lay...
Ceremony, First Principle, Faith, Non-duality, Diversity, Lay
Jul 22 1971
Tassajara

Something Which You Cannot Understand

Serial: SR-00207 The talk elaborates on the concept of enlightenment, emphasizing the difference between understanding and experiencing it. Discussion centers on the necessity of Zen practice, particularly zazen, for realizing one's inherent...
Buddha Nature, sitting, reality, Truth, Happiness, Breath, lecture
Jul 21 1971
Tassajara

One with Everything

Serial: SR-00208 Zazen TalkTuesday Evening, July 20, 1971Tassajara The talk centers on the Zen Buddhist perspective of the interconnectedness of spiritual and material aspects of existence, emphasizing the understanding of reality beyond dualistic concepts of good and bad, or spiritual and...
Non-duality, Breath, reality, Faith, Truth
Jul 20 1971
Tassajara

Why Then Is It Necessary To Accept Precepts

Serial: SF-06031 The talk discusses the importance of accepting Buddhist precepts, framing them as common yet essential elements of practice. It explains the indivisibility of the three precepts and how they embody the unity of the practitioner...
Precepts, Precepts, Big Mind, Buddha Nature, training, Religion, Observe, Priest, Zazen,...
Jul 17 1971
City Center

Manifested Three Treasures

Serial: SR-00215 The talk explores the concept of the Three Treasures in Buddhism—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—and their manifestations as existing both indivisibly and as perceived figures and teachings after Shakyamuni Buddha. The focus is on...
Precepts, Precepts, Emptiness, Priest, Anger, American, Sangha, lecture, Enemies, Hate,...
Jul 06 1971
City Center

Real Precepts Are Beyond Words

Serial: SR-00216 The talk explores the Zen concept of precepts, distinguishing them from traditional prohibitory rules like the Ten Commandments. Instead, Zen precepts are understood as a comprehensive practice of zazen, embodying the non-...
Precepts, Precepts, reality, Observe, Freedom, sitting, Emptiness, Sangha, Duality, Karma,...
Jul 02 1971
City Center

Purely Involved Helping Others

Serial: SR-00173 The talk emphasizes the integration of Zen practice into everyday life, focusing on the bodhisattva vow to help others. The discussion contrasts the non-discriminating perception in zazen with the discriminating actions required...
Nansen, things-as-it-is, Discrimination, Ummon, Bodhisattva Vow, Bodhisattva Vow, Wisdom,...
Jun 22 1971
City Center

Sewing Sesshin

Serial: SR-00122 Sunday, June 20, 1971 Sesshin Lecture No. ____ San Francisco The lecture from June 20, 1971, discusses the significance of the okesa and rakusu in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing that they are not merely symbolic apparel but embody the dharma itself. A core teaching highlighted is that proper...
Sesshin, Okesa, Dogen, Attachment, New Year, Freedom, Bodhidharma, Lay, Concentration, Zazen,...
Jun 20 1971
City Center

Sewing and Wearing the Buddhist Robes and How It Relates to Our Practice

Serial: 71-06-19 Saturday, June 19, 1971 San Francisco Zendo -
Dogen, Soto Zen,
Jun 19 1971
City Center

Precepts as Original Nature

Serial: SR-00121 The talk emphasizes the intrinsic nature of precepts, arguing that they are inherent to human nature rather than imposed or solely dictated by religious doctrine. It highlights the universality and fundamental presence of...
Precepts, Bodhidharma, Precepts, Concentration, Building, Posture, New Year, Bodhidharma,...
Jun 12 1971
City Center

Freedom from Everything

Serial: SR-00150 Sesshin Lecture, Day 5Wednesday, June 9, 1971San Francisco The talk centers on the practice of zazen, specifically shikantaza, and emphasizes the importance of approaching it with seriousness and sincerity. It explores themes such as detachment, the integration of practice into everyday...
Sesshin, Happiness, Demons, Precepts, Perfect Wisdom, Attachment, New Year, zen, Zazen, Wisdom...
Jun 09 1971
City Center

Calmness of Mind

Serial: SR-00151 Sesshin Lecture No. 2 Sunday, June 7, 1971 San Francisco Practice is to expose yourself as you are, express yourself fully. Accepting your teacher's words. Zen Center practice community offering mutual support for practice. The talk focuses on the essence of Zen practice, emphasizing Shikantaza or "just sitting," and the continuous practice of true self-expression without expectations. It describes living in each transient unit of time and...
Sesshin, Zazen, Breath, Community, Emptiness, Priest, Pain, Community, heart, Hate, zen, Death...
Jun 07 1971
City Center

Okesa Ceremony

Serial: SR-00146 Ceremony of the okesa: chanting the fascicle Shobogenzo Kesa Kudoku; ten virtues of the okesa. What is practice of zazen and practice of the okesa. Truth is beyond priest or layperson. Acknowledging Yoshida Roshi. The talk discusses the ceremony of the okesa, emphasizing the ten virtues of this sacred garment as recorded in Dogen Zenji's "Shobogenzo Kesa Kudoku." The okesa's virtues are explored in detail, highlighting its transformative...
Priest, Ceremony, Okesa, Zazen, Dragons, Priest, Greed, Demons, Gratitude, Happiness, American...
Jun 06 1971
City Center

The Teaching Just for You

Serial: SR-00147 Sesshin Lecture No. 1 Saturday, June 5, 1971 San Francisco The talk examines the dual understanding of Zen practice, focusing on the concept of "just to sit." While practice traditionally aims for improvement over time, the true essence is experiencing the goal in each moment rather than...
Sesshin, Precepts, Dragons, Bodhidharma, Truth, sitting, Buddha Nature, Politics, Transmission...
Jun 05 1971
City Center

Lecture: Reed College, Portland, Oregon

Serial: 71-03-12 -
Time,
Mar 12 1971
Reed College Portland

Changing Our Karma

Serial: SR-00116 The talk focuses on the integration of Zen practice into everyday life, emphasizing a continuous, attentive engagement with one's actions to mitigate and transform karma. Through illustrative anecdotes such as the Zen master's...
Baso, Concentration, Karma, Suffering, difficulty, Ceremony
Mar 09 1971
City Center

Why We Have So Many Problems

Serial: SR-00153 Tuesday, March 2, 1971 8 am Tuesday Morning San Francisco This talk addresses the root causes of human problems from both Buddhist and psychological perspectives, questioning the fundamental life structures and desires leading to dissatisfaction and distress. It emphasizes the Buddhist...
difficulty, Ceremony, Concentration, reality, Addiction, sitting, Ego, confusion, Building...
Mar 02 1971
City Center

The Driver

Serial: SR-00119 The talk discusses the concept of "mumyo" or delusion, emphasizing the importance of having a clear understanding and guidance (a "driver") to progress toward enlightenment. Obstacles such as misidentifying the spiritual...
Anger, difficulty, Karma, Freedom, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Peace, confusion, Posture,...
Feb 27 1971
City Center

Be Kind with Yourself

Serial: SR-00112 Warm-hearted practice. Breathing and posture in zazen. We all have different circumstances, but in the monastery, we have one practice. Rules give freedom to practice. The main thesis of the talk centers on the significance of embodying warmth and kindness in one's zazen practice, emphasizing that following instructions alone is insufficient without infusing them with compassion and a...
Dogen, Zazen, Tatsugami, Freedom, Instruction, Monks, Posture, Priest, American...
Feb 23 1971
Tassajara

It Is Actually Buddha's Practice

Serial: SF-06114B The main thesis of the talk emphasizes that true practice in Zen involves embodying Buddha's practice rather than perceiving it as a personal endeavor. This concept suggests that selfless practice leads to liberation from...
Sesshin,
Feb 20 1971
Tassajara

Calmness of your Mind

Serial: SR-00079 Saturday Morning, February 13, 1971 San Francisco The talk addresses the concept of achieving true calmness of mind through Zen practice, particularly zazen, emphasizing the oneness with surroundings and experiences, rather than simple physical seclusion or the avoidance of...
Sesshin, Pain, New Year, Suffering, confusion, Oneness, Beginners, Community, Attachment...
Feb 13 1971
City Center

Just Enough Problems

Serial: SR-00273 Sesshin Lecture, Lecture 7: Page Street Apples Friday Morning February 12, 1971 San Francisco The talk discusses the acceptance and appreciation of life's problems in the context of Zen practice, emphasizing the idea that one is always presented with just enough problems by Buddha to foster growth and understanding. It...
Sesshin, War, Enemies, Hate
Feb 12 1971
A
City Center

Not Sticking to Enlightenment

Serial: SF-05445B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #26, by Shundo David Haye ===== It's not completely clear how this talk dropped off the radar, as the tape had been copied and transcribed previously – indeed, it features in Not... The talk centers on the challenges of transitioning from sesshin to everyday life, emphasizing non-attachment to 'enlightenment' as a fixed goal. It highlights the teachings of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, particularly the notion...
Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Emptiness
Feb 12 1971
B
City Center

Humor Is More Real Than Reallity

Serial: SR-00274 Sesshin Lecture No. 5 Tuesday, February 9, 1971 San Francisco The talk explores the role of humor in Zen practice, suggesting that true humor requires a deeper understanding beyond normal reality. It illustrates how Zen teachings often use humor to convey serious insights, drawing on...
Sesshin, Discrimination, Dragons, Observe, Emotions, Instruction, confusion
Feb 09 1971
City Center

Wherever You Go, You Will See Yourself

Serial: SR-00271 Sesshin Lecture No. 3 Sunday Afternoon or Evening February 7, 1971 San Francisco The lecture explores the concept of self-discovery in Zen practice, emphasizing the futility of pursuing a self-centered understanding of 'self' and highlighting the importance of encountering oneself through authentic practice....
Sesshin, Tozan, Sandokai, zen, Discrimination, Precepts, reality, Freedom, Death...
Feb 07 1971
City Center

Resuming Big Mind

Serial: SR-00272 Sesshin Lecture No. 1 Friday, February 5, 1971 San Francisco [”For this seven-day sesshin, there are only transcriptions for lectures given on Days 1, 3, 5, 7, and the closing words. I don't know if those were the only lectures... The talk focuses on the practice of sesshin and the distinction between Big Mind and Small Mind in Zen meditation. The purpose of sesshin is highlighted as resuming Big Mind by controlling the Small Mind, with a metaphor drawn...
Sesshin, Big Mind, Hate, stubbornness, Zoom, sitting, Zazen, Anger, Ceremony, heart, Pain...
Feb 05 1971
City Center

Wherever I Go, I Meet Myself

Serial: SR-00123 The talk elaborates on the concept of self-awareness and criticizes modern and religious notions of self-improvement. It challenges the notion of self-knowledge through objective observation and highlights the futility of...
Liberation, Culture, Freedom
Jan 23 1971
City Center

The Boss of Everything

Serial: SR-00204 The talk examines the purpose of zazen practice, emphasizing the concept of being the "boss of everything" by transcending delusional ideas of self and surroundings. It critiques the misunderstanding of self-control and explores...
Zazen, Big Mind, confusion, Precepts, Bodhidharma, Zazen, Suffering, Observe...
Jan 16 1971
City Center

True Concentration

Serial: SR-00078 Right Concentration Sunday, January 10, 1971 San Francisco The talk focuses on the concept of "Right Concentration" in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a calm, clear, and open mind through zazen meditation. This approach contrasts with focusing solely on attaining...
Avalokiteshvara, Freedom, Concentration, zen, Commitment, Posture
Jan 10 1971
City Center

What Is Self?

Serial: SR-00077 This talk explores the concept of self in the context of Zen practice, emphasizing that understanding one's true self is crucial for authentic zazen practice. The speaker distinguishes between "universal self," often associated...
Ceremony, Observe, sitting
Jan 03 1971
City Center

No Practice Will Destroy People

Serial: SR-00074 The talk articulates the concept that without a dedicated practice, individuals can lose their sense of purpose in life, more so than they might from physical sickness. Through an exploration of Dogen Zenji's teachings, it...
Dogen,
Dec 27 1970
City Center

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