The Suzuki Roshi Audio Archive

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Title Speaker Date

Teisho (Introduced by Jakusho Kwong)

Serial: SF-05452B Mill Valley Zendo, talk by Suzuki Roshi The talk emphasizes the importance of zazen practice in countering the detrimental karmic effects caused by human actions that harm the environment. It distinguishes between the greater opportunity for starting anew in America...
Emptiness, Precepts, Observe, Ego, Evil
Dec 23 1970
Mill Valley Zendo

What Is Self? What Is Our Practice?

Serial: SR-00073 The talk explores the concepts of self and practice within Buddhism, contrasting Japanese societal tendencies towards group conformity, termed "group bo-kei," with American individualism. It emphasizes the Buddhist concept of...
Japan, Kosho Uchiyama, Building, Precepts, Greed, Ego
Dec 20 1970
City Center

Japan Now: Zazen As Our Foundation

Serial: SR-00072 Lecture after Trip to Japan: Sunday, December 13, 1970 This talk reflects on the changes observed in Japan, emphasizing the significance of zazen meditation as the foundational practice to counter the busy life and the loss of cultural depth in modern Japanese society. The discussion...
Transmission, Culture, sitting, Meditation, Ceremony, American
Dec 13 1970

When Someone Receives Transmission

Serial: SR-00071 Tuesday, August 25, 1970San Francisco The talk addresses the significance of transmission in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of foundational teachings and how they should be translated and transmitted accurately to ensure a clear understanding of Zen...
Transmission, Priest, Buddha Nature, Culture, Forms, American, Death, Truth
Aug 25 1970
City Center

Lay Ordination Ceremony

Serial: SR-00069B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #25, by Shundo David Haye ===== This tape, which is unfortunately very poorly recorded, gives us a sense of the lay ordination ceremony that took place at City Center in August 1970. During the... The talk centers on the lay ordination ceremony conducted in August 1970, highlighting the significance of lay ordination in aligning with the bodhisattva way, which emphasizes compassion and adaptability in aiding others. It...
Precepts, Ceremony, Commitment
Aug 23 1970
City Center

Restore the Buddhist Teaching in its Original Way

Serial: SF-06121A Sunday Evening, August 16, 1970San FranciscoLecture A [The first part of the lecture was not recorded.] -
Sesshin, Faith
Aug 16 1970
A
City Center

To Be Honest And Sincere In Its True Sense It Is Necessary to Push Yourself Into Some Very Strong Hard Rule

Serial: SF-06121B Sunday, August 16, 1970San Francisco [This is the second of two lectures with this date. This lecture began mid-way on Side A of the original tape after a prior lecture ended. This lecture appears to be complete.] Newly processed... The talk explores the necessity of embracing strict practice to realize one's true nature, drawing on Zen teachings to emphasize adjusting to nature rather than conquering it. The practice of Zen, including rituals like oryoki...
Faith, Hate, Doubt
Aug 16 1970
B
City Center

Priest Ordination Ceremony: Paul Discoe and Reb Anderson

Serial: SR-00069A Reprocessed version may allow for clarification of transcript. The talk centers on the ordination ceremony of Paul Discoe and Reb Anderson, articulating the significance of this rite as a transmission of Buddha's teachings, lineage, and the acceptance of bodhisattva precepts. It emphasizes...
Priest, Ceremony, Precepts, Don't Know Mind, Delusion, Greed, Interview, Gratitude, Karma...
Aug 09 1970
City Center

Our Practice is Expression of Our True Buddha-mind

Serial: SR-00067 Sesshin Lecture, No. 4 Tuesday Evening, August 4, 1970 San Francisco The talk centers on the non-duality of practice and enlightenment in Zen, emphasizing Dogen Zenji's teachings on the continuous expression of the true Buddha-mind through zazen and precept observation. It argues that the...
Sesshin, Precepts, Beginner’s Mind, Precepts, Buddha Mind, Discrimination, Sutra, Suffering,...
Aug 04 1970
City Center

Zazen Practice and Listen to the Right Teacher

Serial: SF-05631 ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #24, by Shundo David Haye ===== In the last years of Suzuki Roshi's life, very few talks were lost from the collections. The previously available recording for this date was incomplete - it... The talk centers on the importance of right practice and the role of a teacher in Zen practice, especially regarding the understanding and observance of the bodhisattva precepts. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of a steadfast...
Sesshin, Dogen, Bodhidharma, Precepts, Bodhisattva Precepts, Observe, Precepts, Faith,...
Aug 03 1970
City Center

Walk like an Elephant and Sitting like a Frog

Serial: SR-00066 True Practice As Expression Of Buddha-NatureSesshin Lecture No. 2Sunday, August 2, 1970San Francisco The talk explores the essence of true Zen practice as the expression of Buddha-nature through the practice of zazen, emphasizing its importance as the fundamental entrance to the Buddhist path, as articulated by Dogen Zenji. The...
Sesshin, Sengai, Buddha Nature, Family Practice, War, Bodhidharma, Zazen, Monks...
Aug 02 1970
City Center

Observation of Precepts and Practice of Zazen is Same Thing

Serial: SF-06049 Sesshin Lecture No. 1 Saturday, August 1, 1970 San Francisco The talk explores the essential unity between the observation of precepts and the practice of zazen, emphasizing that both are inherent to one's true nature, much like rules inherently exist whenever something exists. The...
Sesshin, Precepts, Precepts, Doubt, Buddha Nature, Faith, Ceremony, Ordination, Lay, Religion...
Aug 01 1970
City Center

Open Your Intuition

Serial: SF-05587B Sesshin MeetingFriday, July 31, 1970San Francisco The talk emphasizes the importance of silence and observation during sesshin to cultivate intuition and true self-awareness. Participants are encouraged to maintain silence, avoid reading, and follow specific practices like...
Sesshin, Intuition, Instruction, Beginners
Jul 31 1970
City Center

How To Understand Rituals And Precepts

Serial: SR-00063 Zazen, Rituals And Precepts Cannot Be SeparatedSunday Evening, July 26, 1970San Francisco The talk explores the intricate relationship between zazen, rituals, and precepts, underlining that these practices cannot be isolated within Zen Buddhist practice. The discussion emphasizes that rituals and precepts serve as...
Precepts, Precepts, Gratitude, Priest, Ceremony, American, Silence, Intention, Evil, training...
Jul 26 1970
City Center

Mudra Practice and How to Accept Instructions from Various Teachers

Serial: SR-00269 The talk discusses the practice of zazen, particularly focusing on the importance of understanding one's practice amidst various instructions from different teachers. It highlights the significance of the mudra in practice, as...
Tatsugami, Yoshida, Beginners, Posture, Instruction, difficulty
Jul 26 1970
City Center

Japanese Way, American Way, Buddhist Way

Serial: SR-00270 The talk explores the concept of "enlightenment over enlightenment" as described by Dogen Zenji, emphasizing the idea of forgetting enlightenment and living naturally without attachment to Buddhist identity or practice. This...
Dogen, American, Freedom, Culture, Doubt, Interview, Demons, training, Building, Pain...
Jul 19 1970
City Center

Ekō Lecture 6

Serial: SR-00230 The Fourth Morning EkoWednesday, July 15, 1970Tassajara [This is the last in a series of six lectures by Suzuki on the four ekos chanted at the conclusion of morning services at San Francisco Zen Center and other Soto Zen temples... This talk focuses on the Fourth Morning Eko and its dedication to deceased monks, ancestors of students, and benefactors of temples, emphasizing the traditional practice of chanting for the deceased. It explores historical roots...
Eko, Chanting, Monks, Priest, Offering, Buddha Nature, Wisdom, Observe, Separation, Sangha,...
Jul 15 1970
Tassajara

Ekō Lecture 5

Serial: SR-00231 The Third Morning EkoMonday, July 13, 1970Tassajara [This is the fifth in a series of six lectures by Suzuki on the four ekos chanted at the conclusion of morning services at San Francisco Zen Center and other Soto Zen temples... This talk elaborates on the third eko chanted in Zen morning services, focusing on the importance of transmission and dedication to the patriarchs of Zen. The discussion emphasizes the perpetual nature of Buddha's spirit, the...
Eko, Chanting, Buddha Ancestors, Transmission, Building, Bodhidharma, Sutra, Hindrances,...
Jul 13 1970
Tassajara

Supported from Within

Serial: SR-00191 Ekō Lecture 4The Second Morning Eko, Part 3 of 3Sunday, July 12, 1970Tassajara [This is the fourth in a series of six lectures by Suzuki on the four ekos chanted at the conclusion of morning services at San Francisco Zen Center... The lecture covers the interpretation and practice involved in the recitation of the second morning Eko, highlighting the dedication to arhats and wisdom figures celebrated in Buddhist tradition. The discussion centers on the...
Eko, Chanting, Priest, New Year, Wisdom, Suffering, Building, Observe, confusion, Pain,...
Jul 12 1970
Tassajara

Ekō Lecture 3

Serial: SR-00228 The Second Morning Eko, Part 2 of 3Friday Evening, July 11, 1970Tassajara [This is the third in a series of six lectures by Suzuki on the four ekos chanted at the conclusion of morning services at San Francisco Zen Center and... The talk focuses on the Buddha's teachings regarding supernatural powers, specifically the concept of the "sanmyo rokutsu" or the Three Insights and Six Universal Powers, elucidating how they relate to both spiritual practice and...
Eko, Chanting, Concentration, Karma, Attachment, Mindfulness, Hindrances, Pain, Death, Anger,...
Jul 11 1970
Tassajara

Ekō Lecture 2

Serial: SR-00229 The Second Morning Eko, Part 1 of 3Friday Evening, July 10, 1970Tassajara [This is the second in a series of six lectures by Suzuki on the four ekos chanted at the conclusion of morning services at San Francisco Zen Center and... The talk provides a detailed explanation of the Second Morning Eko, particularly focusing on the dedication for the Arhat's Sutra and its significance in Soto Zen practice. The lecture discusses the chanting conducted at various...
Eko, Chanting, Chanting, Anger, Buddha Nature, Mahayana, heart, Karma, Meditation, Doubt,...
Jul 10 1970
Tassajara

Ekō Lecture 1

Serial: SR-00225 The First Morning EkoWednesday, July 8, 1970Tassajara [This is the first in a series of six lectures by Suzuki on the four ekos chanted at the conclusion of morning services at San Francisco Zen Center and other Soto Zen temples... This talk explores the practice of chanting ekos at Zen temples, emphasizing its significance in expressing gratitude to figures such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Bodhidharma, and Dogen Zenji. It delves into Dogen's journey to China,...
Eko, Dogen, Manjushri, Transmission, Chanting, Monks, Wisdom, Precepts, American, Sutra,...
Jul 08 1970
Tassajara

Do Not Pass Your Days and Nights in Vain

Serial: SR-00221 Sandokai Lecture XIII: “Don't Spend Your Time in Vain” Monday, July 6, 1970 Tassajara [This lecture is concerned with the following lines of the Sandokai: Ayumi wo susumure ba gonnon ni arazu, mayote senga no ko wo hedatsu.... The lecture explores the theme of practicing Zen without attachment to the concepts of achievement or failure, as illustrated by verses from the "Sandokai." The discussion emphasizes that true practice involves living in the...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Sixth Patriarch, Dogen, difficulty, sitting, zen, reality,...
Jul 06 1970
Tassajara

We Should Not Stick to Words or Rules Too Much

Serial: SR-00222 Sandokai Lecture XII: “It Is Not Always So” Saturday, July 4, 1970 Tassajara [This lecture is concerned with the following lines of the Sandokai: Koto wo uke te wa subekaraku shu wo esu beshi. Mizukara kiku wo rissuru koto nakare... This lecture delves into specific lines of the "Sandokai," emphasizing the importance of not clinging strictly to words or established rules but instead understanding the core teaching beyond linguistic expressions. The...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Lay, Peace, confusion, lecture,...
Jul 04 1970
Tassajara

City Practice Comments

Serial: 70-00-00 -
Jul 1970

A Short Talk During Zazen

Serial: 70-06-28 -
Branching Streams, Dogen,
Jun 28 1970
Tassajara

Suffering Is A Valuable Thing

Serial: SR-00218 Sandokai Lecture XI Saturday, June 27, 1970 Tassajara [The following lines of the Sandokai are discussed in this lecture: Line 33 Bammotsu onozukara ko ari, Line 34 masani yo to sho to wo iu beshi. Line 35 Ji sonsure ba kangai... The lecture examines an essential passage from the Sandokai, exploring the concept that all beings possess intrinsic virtue (ko) and the relationship between phenomena (ji) and underlying principles (ri), emphasizing the...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Suffering, difficulty, Community, Emptiness, Pain, Freedom, Death...
Jun 27 1970
Tassajara

The Willow Tree Cannot Be Broken

Serial: SR-00220 SANDOKAI LECTURE X Thursday, June 25, 1970 Tassajara [This lecture is concerned with the following lines of the Sandokai: Meian ono-ono aitaishite, hisuru ni zengo no ayumi no gotoshi. (Transliteration by Kazuaki Tanahashi... The lecture explores the theme of interdependency versus independency within the framework of Zen philosophy, particularly through the analogy of walking that symbolizes the balance between opposing forces such as strength and...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Precepts, reality, War, Interdependence, Observe, Oneness,...
Jun 25 1970
Tassajara

Within Light There Is Utter Darkness

Serial: SR-00052 Sandokai Lecture IX Saturday, June 20, 1970 Tassajara [The following lines of the Sandokai are discussed in this lecture: Line 27 Meichu ni atatte an ari, Line 28 anso wo motte o koto nakare. Line 29 Anchuniatattemeiari, Line 30... The lecture analyzes lines 27 to 30 of the Sandokai, reflecting on the duality and unity of brightness (mei) and darkness (an) and their interdependence. It emphasizes the necessity of understanding both relative and absolute...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Suffering, Truth, Diversity, sitting, Duality, Transmission,...
Jun 20 1970
Tassajara

Without Any Idea of Attainment

Serial: SR-00061 Sandokai Lecture VIII Wednesday, June 17, 1970 Tassajara [The following lines of the Sandokai are discussed in this lecture: Line 21 Manako wa iro, mimi wa onjo, Line 22 hana wa ka, shita wa kanso. Line 23 Shikamo ichi-ichi no ho... The talk focuses on the lines of the "Sandokai" by Sekito Kisen, particularly addressing the notion of independence and interdependence within Zen Buddhism. The discussion highlights how each sensory experience is interconnected...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Precepts, Subject-and-Object, reality, Oneness, Monks, Observe,...
Jun 17 1970
Tassajara

The Boat Is Always Moving

Serial: SR-00059 Sandokai Lecture VII Saturday, June 13, 1970 Tassajara [The following lines of the Sandokai are discussed in this lecture: Line 17 Shidai no sho onozukara fukusu, Line 18 ko no sono haha wo uru ga gotoshi. Line 19 Hi wa nesshi... This lecture delves into the Sandokai lines 17-20, exploring the Buddhist concepts of the four elements—fire, wind, water, and earth—and their intrinsic natures in relation to emptiness. The discussion highlights how, from a...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Emptiness, Emotions, Peace, Enemies, Karma, Anger, Hate, Precepts...
Jun 13 1970
Tassajara

Today We May Be Very Happy

Serial: SR-00057 Sandokai Lecture VI Wednesday, June 10, 1970 Tassajara [This lecture is concerned with the following lines of the Sandokai: Shiki moto shitsuzo wo kotonishi, sho moto rakku wo kotonisu. An wa jochu no koto ni kanai, mei wa... The lecture explores the lines of the Sandokai text, focusing on the dualistic nature of perception—how forms, sounds, and tastes are categorized as agreeable or disagreeable. The discussion extends to the distinction between...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Happiness, Zazen, Suffering, Pain, Buddha Nature, Politics,...
Jun 10 1970
Tassajara

We Are Just a Tiny Speck of Big Being

Serial: SR-00055 Sandokai Lecture V: Lecture to Professor Weller's Visiting Class Saturday, June 6, 1970 Tassajara [Note. This lecture was given-- as a general introduction-- to Prof. Jack Weller's visiting philosophy class following Lecture IV... The lecture emphasizes the relationship between intellectual understanding and experiential practice in the study of Zen Buddhism, specifically through the context of the Sandokai text. The discussion explores the dichotomy of "...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, lecture, Freedom, difficulty, Forms, Evil, Duality, Karma,...
Jun 06 1970
Tassajara

The Blue Jay Will Come Right into Your Heart

Serial: SR-00053 Sandokai Lecture IV - Discussion of the lines: 'all the objects of the senses interact, and yet do not'. Subjective and objective, independent and interrelated aspects of reality. Interdependency; 'ri' and 'ji', noumenal and... The talk delves into the intricacies of the Sandokai lines, focusing on the interplay of subjective and objective realities, exemplified through 'ri' and 'ji' (noumenal and phenomenal aspects), and how interdependency and...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Dependent Origination, lecture, Building, Truth, sitting...
Jun 03 1970
Tassajara

Buddha Is Always Here

Serial: SR-00051 Sandokai Lecture III Monday, June 1, 1970 Tassajara [The following lines of the Sandokai are discussed in this lecture: Line 5 Reigen myoni kokettari. Line 6 Shiha an ni ruchusu. Line 7 Ji wo shusuru mo moto kore mayoi. Line 8 Ri... The talk provides a detailed exegesis of key lines from the "Sandokai," focusing on the nature of the 'true source' and the duality of phenomena and noumena. The discussion critiques attaching rigid meanings to enlightenment,...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Emptiness, Buddha Nature, Suffering, Truth, Compassion, Intention...
Jun 01 1970
Tassajara

Shunryu Suzuki talking from Zen in America (video)

Serial: 70-06-00-V [Audio from final cut used in film in italics] (Second paragraph only - SDH) -
Tassajara, Desire, Time
Jun 1970
Tassajara

Warm Hand to Warm Hand

Serial: SR-00049 Sandokai Lecture II Sunday, May 30, 1970 Tassajara [The following lines of the Sandokai are discussed in this lecture: Line 2 tozai mitsuni aifusu. Line 3 Ninkon ni ridon ari, Line 4 do ni namboku no so nashi... The talk primarily discusses the text "Sandokai" and its contextual background, focusing on the sectarian dispute between Northern and Southern Zen during the time of Sekito Kisen, the author of the poem. The speaker emphasizes...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Truth, Transmission, reality, New Year, difficulty,...
May 30 1970
Tassajara

Things-As-It-Is

Serial: SR-00048 Sandokai Lecture I Wednesday, May 27, 1970 Tassajara [This is the first in a series of lectures on the Sandokai (Chin. Cantong qi or Tisan-tiung-chii), a poem by Sekito Kisen. Historical details of the series are appended to the... The talk discusses the Sandokai, a poem by Sekito Kisen, focusing on how it illustrates the Buddhist concept of interconnectedness and the perception of reality beyond dualistic thinking. The speaker emphasizes the importance of...
Branching Streams, Sandokai, Big Mind, Discrimination, Freedom, Oneness, Bell, Religion,...
May 27 1970
Tassajara

Money And Labor

Serial: SR-00046 Sunday Morning, May 24, 1970 City Center, San Francisco The talk explores the relationship between material things, spirituality, and socio-economic interactions within Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing the teachings of Dogen Zenji. It is argued that spiritual and material are one and...
Buddha Nature, Discrimination, Monks, Priest, Faith
May 24 1970
City Center

How To Observe Precepts

Serial: SR-00047 Sunday Morning, May 17, 1970 San Francisco The talk discusses the relationship between Zen practice and precepts, emphasizing that true precepts are embodied in natural, everyday actions rather than rigid rules. The practice of zazen is highlighted as both the method and...
Precepts, Precepts, Chanting, Observe, Bodhidharma, Zazen, Mahayana, Posture, Building,...
May 17 1970
City Center

Zen Center and City Practice

Serial: SR-00045 Sunday, May 10, 1970 City Center, San Francisco The talk reflects on the evolution and purpose of the Zen Center, focusing on the integration of traditional Zen practice within the urban environment of City Center and Tassajara. It emphasizes the importance of understanding...
Building, Intention, Meditation, War, Observe, Death, difficulty
May 10 1970
City Center

We Try To Control Or Restrict Our Activity

Serial: SR-00044 Tuesday Evening, May 5, 1970 City Center, San Francisco The talk explores the challenges of studying Buddhism from various perspectives, particularly when juxtaposed with Western cultural interpretations. Emphasizing both the ascetic and non-ascetic elements of Buddhist practice, it...
Culture, Posture, Evil, difficulty, Attachment, zen, Pain, American, reality, Freedom...
May 05 1970
City Center

Sincere Practice and Way-Seeking Mind

Serial: SR-00043 Sesshin Lecture No. 3, Sunday, May 3, 1970 San Francisco The talk explores the concept of sincere practice and the way-seeking mind, emphasizing the importance of practice grounded in humanity. It addresses the philosophy of zazen, highlighting that true practice is not a special...
Sesshin, American, Transmission, stubbornness, Buddha Nature, Hate, realization, Offering, zen...
May 03 1970
City Center

Helping Others

Serial: SR-00138 Sesshin Lecture, No. 2, Saturday, May 2, 1970 San Francisco The lecture emphasizes the essence of sincere Zen practice, particularly in the context of the bodhisattva path, which involves helping others selflessly. It questions the ethical decision-making process in situations that...
Sesshin, Dogen, Zuimonki, Building, Doubt
May 02 1970
City Center

On Breathing

Serial: SR-00139 Sesshin Lecture, No. 1, Saturday Evening, May 2, 1970 San Francisco The talk centers on the Zen practice of zazen and its approach to experiencing time and breath. It emphasizes the concept of engaging practice moment by moment rather than thinking in long stretches, countering the continuous...
Sesshin, Posture, Pain, sitting, Sangha, Enemies, Death
May 02 1970
City Center

Sincere Practice

Serial: SR-00140 How To Have Sincere Practice Tuesday, April 28, 1970 San Francisco The discussion examines the essence of sincere Zen practice, using Dogen Zenji's journey and teachings to highlight the elements of authenticity in spiritual pursuit. Dogen Zenji's commitment to finding a true teacher who...
Tatsugami, Dogen, Precepts, Monks, Intuition, Don't Know Mind, Posture, Buddha Nature,...
Apr 28 1970
City Center

Ceremony Officially Opening Beginner's Mind Temple

Serial: SF-05995 This is the bulk of the ceremony, with speakers other than Suzuki Roshi, in Japanese and English The ceremony marks the official opening of the Beginner's Mind Temple and emphasizes the joy and gratitude associated with Zen practice, particularly highlighting the contributions and cultural significance of Buddhism. The event...
training, Gratitude, Zoom, Ceremony, Obstacles, Observe, Silence, Enemies, Evil, Precepts...
Apr 25 1970
City Center

How To Have Sincere Practice

Serial: SR-00145 Suzuki Roshi edited from longer recording. The talk focuses on the nature of sincere Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of dedication and the rejection of superficial effort. It highlights the challenges faced by Zen practitioners in maintaining a true path and...
Building, Community, Meditation, Zendo, Obstacles, Interview, Silence, Breath, training, zen...
Apr 25 1970
A
City Center

Remarks at the Ceremony Officially Opening Beginner's Mind Temple

Serial: SF-05996 These are Suzuki Roshi's words, edited together out of longer recording of ceremony. The talk addresses the ceremonial opening of the Beginner's Mind Temple, highlighting the significance of the event through the offering of fruits and vegetables and the recitation of the Daihi-shin Dharani, symbolizing the way-...
Ceremony, Offering
Apr 25 1970
City Center

Buddha's Birthday Lecture

Serial: SR-00160 The talk discusses the celebration of Buddha's birthday, highlighting its origin and practice within different cultures, particularly in Japan and America. The speaker emphasizes the significance of merging traditional practices...
Ceremony, Ceremony
Apr 12 1970
City Center

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