The Suzuki Roshi Audio Archive

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Showing 439 talks

Title	Speaker	Date
Single-Minded Way Serial: 65-12-16 -	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 16 1965 Los Altos
Buddhism Has Many Annual Layers Like A Big Tree Serial: SF-05124B One-Day Sesshin Evening LectureSaturday, December 11, 1965, Lecture BSokoji, San Francisco This talk explores the historical and cultural impact of Buddhism and Zen, emphasizing the importance of respecting the generational efforts of patriarchs in sustaining the tradition. It underscores the necessity of integrating... *Sesshin, Precepts, Precepts, Three Treasures, Observe, Doubt, Composure, Priest, Anger...*	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 11 1965 B Sokoji
Most Of You Are Beginners Serial: SF-05124D One-Day Sesshin Afternoon LectureSaturday, December 11, 1965, Lecture ASokoji, San Francisco The central thesis of this talk emphasizes the practice of zazen, or "just sitting," as a core yet challenging Zen practice. The discussion explains the importance of practicing with a Big Mind rather than a self-centered mind to... *Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Dogen, Precepts, Precepts, Observe, Beginners, Enemies, Peace...*	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 11 1965 A Sokoji
Chanting Service Serial: SF-05124A The talk centers on a traditional Zen chanting service, reflecting on its spiritual significance and the interconnections between mind, ritual, and enlightenment. Through traditional chants such as "getto no kage" and the... Sesshin, Chanting, Bell	Group	Dec 11 1965 Sokoji
The Middle Way Serial: 65-12-09 Thursday morning lectureDecember 9, 1965Los Altos - Time,	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 09 1965 Los Altos
Bowing Serial: 65-12-02 Thursday, December 2, 1965 Thursday morning lecture Los Altos -	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 02 1965 Los Altos
Excerpt from the chapter Bowing in ZMBM Serial: 65-12-02-A -	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 02 1965 A
Mind Weeds Serial: 65-11-18 Thursday Morning Lectures November 17, 1965 (date changed to 18th -- DC/08) Los Altos -	Suzuki Roshi	Nov 18 1965 Los Altos
Buddhism is Very Philosophical, and Sometimes Intellectual and Logical Serial: 65-11-00-A One-Day Sesshin Lectures November, 1965 (Wind Bell, Jan.–Feb. 1966) - this was held on 13th per previous Wind Bells. Early Afternoon Lecture - Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Nov 13 1965 A Sokoji
You Have Made Great Progress Serial: 65-11-00-B One-Day Evening Sesshin LectureNovember 1965 (Wind Bell, Jan.–Feb. 1966) - this was held on 13th per previous Wind Bells. - Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Nov 13 1965 B Sokoji
Beginner's Mind Serial: SF-05122 ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #1, by Shundo David Haye ===== When this particular, otherwise unremarkable, reel was photographed as part of Engage Wisdom’s archiving process, unlike many other tapes stored at Zen... The talk explores the concept of "beginner's mind" in Zen practice, emphasizing its vital role in maintaining the purity and openness of one's practice. It stresses the importance of returning to an original, unknowing state of... Beginner’s Mind, Dogen, Precepts, Beginners, Precepts, Enemies, Posture	Suzuki Roshi	Nov 11 1965 Los Altos
Breathing Serial: 65-11-04 Thursday Morning Lectures November 4, 1965 Los Altos -	Suzuki Roshi	Nov 04 1965 Los Altos
In Hinayana Practice, In The First Stage Serial: 65-10-28 Thursday, October 28, 1965 Thursday Morning Lectures Los Altos -	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 28 1965 Los Altos
In Buddhism There Are Many Schools Serial: 65-10-21 Thursday, October 21, 1965 Thursday morning lecture Los Altos -	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 21 1965 Los Altos
Kinhin Instruction Serial: 65-10-16-K - Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 16 1965 K Sokoji
It Is A Great Joy To Practice Sesshin With You In This Way Serial: 65-10-16-A October Sesshin Lecture October 16, 1965 (Wind Bell, Nov.–Dec. 1965) Transcribed by Trudy Dixon Afternoon Lecture - Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Dogen,	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 16 1965 A Sokoji
We Have Finished Sesshin With Unusual Results Serial: 65-10-16-B October Sesshin Lecture October 16, 1965 (Wind Bell, Nov.–Dec. 1965) Late Afternoon Lecture: - Sesshin, Dogen, Baso, Beginner’s Mind,	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 16 1965 B Sokoji
Nothing Special Serial: 65-10-14 Thursday, October 14, 1965 Thursday Morning Lectures Los Altos -	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 14 1965 Los Altos
Experience, Not Philosophy Serial: 65-10-07 Thursday, October 7, 1965 Thursday morning lecture Los Altos -	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 07 1965 Los Altos
Transiency Serial: 65-09-16 September 16, 1965 Thursday Morning Lectures Los Altos - Dogen,	Suzuki Roshi	Sep 16 1965 Los Altos
Study Yourself Serial: SF-05123B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #4, by Shundo David Haye ===== "I always felt his best Zen talks were the ones he gave on Thursday mornings in my home. They were spontaneous, succinct and spoken from a relaxed and contented... The talk delves into the nature of self-study in Buddhism, drawing extensively on Dogen's Genjo Koan. It emphasizes the practice of self-awareness through monastic activities, highlighting how these practices allow practitioners... Dogen, Genjokoan, Rinzai, Monastic Practice, Instruction, Hate, Doubt	Suzuki Roshi	Sep 09 1965 Los Altos
I Have Nothing In My Mind Serial: SF-05125B One-Day Sesshin Lecture: 5 PMSaturday, August 28, 1965, Lecture BSan Francisco The lecture explores the intersection of practice, enlightenment, and self-acceptance within Zen Buddhism, emphasizing that practice itself is an expression of true nature rather than a means to an end. The discussion highlights... Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Baso, Big Mind, Faith, Fox, Duality, Hate	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 28 1965 B Sokoji
Confucius Said the Most Visible is Something Invisible Serial: SF-05125A SR 002 Tape 1 copy Sesshin 1pm lecture The central thesis of the talk revolves around the idea that true value lies in unseen, fundamental work rather than visible achievements, drawing from Confucian and Japanese cultural and philosophical concepts. The discussion... Sesshin, Faith, Interview, Observe, confusion, Hate, Peace	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 28 1965 A Sokoji
Calmness Serial: SF-05123A ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #3, by Shundo David Haye ===== In this talk, which became the Calmness chapter of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (p121), Suzuki Roshi starts with a Japanese Zen poem, offering a pair of analogies to... The talk explores the concept of seeing through contrasts, as encapsulated in a Japanese Zen poem, to illustrate the need for experiential context in perceiving life's essence. This aligns with Dogen's doctrine of "practice-... Dogen, Zazen, Composure	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 26 1965 Los Altos
Nirvana, The Waterfall Serial: SF-07256C Thursday, August 19, 1965 Thursday morning lectureLos Altos This talk was imported by Engage Wisdom in 2025 from a cassette compiled by San Francisco Zen Center in 1999, containing a short extract of the Prologue from Zen Mind,... The talk explores the metaphor of water at a waterfall to illustrate the Zen Buddhist concept of oneness and the realization that individual experiences and emotions are fleeting separations from a universal whole. Drawing from... Dogen, Eiheiji, Birth-and-Death, difficulty, Time, Practice	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 19 1965 Los Altos
Posture Serial: 65-08-12 -	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 12 1965 Los Altos
On the Great Prajna Paramita Sutra Serial: 65-08-05 - Heart Sutra,	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 05 1965 Los Altos
Saturday Evening Lecture Serial: SF-05117A Tape VIII (?) Side 1 Sat eve lecture (1 - 60); Side 2 Sat eve lecture (1-15?) The main thesis of the talk revolves around understanding Zen as both a personal practice and a tradition with varied schools and interpretations. Key discussions include the nature of enlightenment (or "satori") and its relation... Question-and-Answer, Daily Life, Buddha Nature, Happiness, Balance, Bell, Evil, Hate, Religion...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 31 1965 Sokoji
Supper Chant Serial: SF-05107C Tape 7 Summer 1965 Sesshin: Side 2 Little bit of Saturday supper chant [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were transcribed verbatim - WKR] - Chanting,	Group	Jul 31 1965 Sokoji
Do You Have Some Questions? Serial: SF-05107A Tape 7 Summer 1965 Sesshin: Side 1 Friday evening lecture (transcribed) [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were transcribed verbatim - WKR] This talk explores the nature of Zen and its distinction from Western religious concepts, focusing on Zen not as a "religion of the will" but as a religion of the whole mind. It delves into the three bodies of Buddha—Dharmakaya,... Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Transmission, Emotions, Buddha Nature, Discrimination, Happiness...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 30 1965 D Sokoji
If You Have A Question Serial: SF-05105B Tape 6 Friday July 30 Side 1: 1pm lecture (continued on side 2) - transcribed The talk delves into the concept of enlightenment and the bodhisattva-mind, emphasizing that helping others from a religious perspective differs fundamentally from social work. The discussion explores "normative consciousness"... Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Buddha Nature, Religion, Peace, Obstacles, confusion, Doubt,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 30 1965 C Sokoji
Don't Be Bothered By Your Mind / Science of Philosophy is Like a Dissection Serial: SF-05104C Tape 5 Summer sesshin 1965 Thursday July 29th Side 2: 5:45 meditation, 9:00 AM lecture [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were transcribed verbatim - WKR] The main thesis of the talk emphasizes understanding Zen practice as an immediate and direct observation of one's mind, rather than through retrospective analysis or intellectual dissection. The talk discusses the importance of... *Sesshin, Peace, Buddha Nature, Current Events, Bodhidharma, Passions, Instruction, Hate...*	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 30 1965 A-B Sokoji
The Purpose of Practice is to Have a Direct Experience of Buddha Serial: SF-05103B Tape 4 Summer Sesshin 1965: Thursday July 29 9am lecture - transcribed The lecture explores the purpose of Zen practice as a means to directly experience buddha-nature, emphasizing non-attachment to notions of purity or impurity. It is highlighted that true practice involves the acceptance and... Sesshin, Buddha Nature, Evil, Precepts, Ego, Instruction	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 29 1965 A Sokoji
Some More Questions Serial: SF-05104A Tape 5 Summer sesshin 1965 Thursday July 29th Side 1 - 6pm lecture; Continues on Side 2 [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were transcribed verbatim - WKR] This lecture addresses the precept of "not to kill" in Buddhist teachings, offering a perspective that transcends physicality and dualism; it emphasizes that the concept refers to realizing the interconnectedness and... *Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Precepts, Emotions, Buddha Nature, Passions, Faith...*	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 29 1965 C Sokoji
Questions Serial: SF-05103C Tape 4 Summer Sesshin 1965: Thursday July 29 1pm lecture - transcribed The talk delves into the concept of Buddhist practice and understanding, emphasizing the notion that Buddha-nature cannot be comprehended through traditional philosophical, psychological, or scientific means, as it transcends the... Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Buddha Nature, Priest, Faith, Demons, Religion...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 29 1965 B Sokoji
Questions Serial: SF-05126E Tape 3 Summer Sesshin July 1965 - Wednesday July 28 1965 Tape 3 side 2 Wed July 28th 6pm lecture - transcribed; copied June 30 1973; SR001 The talk explores the concept of patience, distinguishing between 'small patience' associated with enduring physical or mental suffering and 'big patience,' which involves acceptance of the impossibility of achieving certain... Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Four Noble Truths, Emotions, Faith, Passions, Delusion, Doubt...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 28 1965 D Sokoji
Pure Rules Serial: SF-05126A ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #6, by Shundo David Haye ===== The value of these sets of recordings during sesshins in the summer of 1965 at Sokoji is that not only were the formal dharma talks preserved, but also the... This talk discusses the importance of the zendo's physical and philosophical structure during a sesshin, drawing from traditional Soto Zen practices and teachings by Suzuki Roshi. It emphasizes the role of "Pure Rules," which... Sesshin, Instruction, Emptiness, Interview, Religion, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 28 1965 9:00am Sokoji
If You Understand Bodhisattva Mind In A Dualistic Way Serial: SF-05126D Tape 3 Summer Sesshin July 1965 - Wednesday July 28 1965 Tape 3 Side 1: Wednesday 1pm lecture - transcribed; copied June 30 1973; SR001 The talk explores the concept of the Bodhisattva mind within Zen practice, emphasizing its non-dualistic nature and distinction from philosophical approaches. It highlights Dogen Zenji's insistence on expressing the Bodhisattva... Sesshin, Shobogenzo, Buddha Nature, Buddha Mind, confusion	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 28 1965 C Sokoji
Lunch Instruction Serial: SF-05126C ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #7, by Shundo David Haye ===== This is a second short instruction from the same day of sesshin as the Pure Rules talk (https://suzukiroshi.engagewisdom.com/talks/pure-rules900am); again the... This talk focuses on the practice of oryoki and the appropriate conduct following mistakes, as taught within monastic traditions. It begins with a rectification of a misstep regarding the use of the oryoki Buddha bowl,... Sesshin, Oryoki, Instruction, Ego, Japan, Observe	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 28 1965 12:00 Sokoji
Forgotten the Value of Religion Serial: SF-05101A ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #5, by Shundo David Haye ===== The oldest recordings of Suzuki Roshi made at Sokoji, the home of the San Francisco Zen Center at the time, come from a week-long sesshin that took place at the... The talk centers on the integration of Zen practice within the broader understanding of religion and philosophy, emphasizing Suzuki Roshi's reflections from 1965. The discussion articulates the contrast between Western thought... Sesshin, Dogen, Shobogenzo, Inmost Nature, Religion, Don't Know Mind, Buddha Nature,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 27 1965 1:00pm Sokoji
In Our Way of Zen, We Emphasize the Way-Seeking Mind Serial: SF-05101B Tape 2 Summer Sesshin 1965 Tuesday July 27 - transcribed August 1965 Tape 2 Side 2 Tuesday July 27 6pm lecture Reverend Suzuki [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were transcribed verbatim - WKR] The main thesis of this talk revolves around the Zen concept of "way-seeking mind," which is interchangeable with the bodhisattva-mind, emphasizing the contrast between scientific and religious viewpoints regarding observation... Sesshin, Bodhisattva, Way-Seeking Mind, Interview, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 27 1965 6:00pm Sokoji
Religious Problems Concerning Such As Psychology Or LSD Serial: SF-05112A Tape 1 Summer sesshin 1965, Monday 1st day of sesshin (?) July 26th 1965 Tape 1 Side 1: 1pm lecture This talk explores the interplay and distinctions between science, psychology, and religion in understanding the mind, critiquing the mixing of scientific practices such as LSD with religious pursuits in Zen Buddhism. The... Sesshin, Dogen, Time, Continuous Practice, Precepts, Peace, Beginners, Balance, confusion,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 26 1965 1:00pm Sokoji
Why We Should Practice Zazen Serial: SF-05112B Tape 1 Summer sesshin 1965, Monday 1st day of sesshin (?) July 26th 1965; Side 2: 6:15pm lecture - transcribed August 1965 The talk emphasizes the necessity of practicing zazen to truly understand one's innate nature and the essence of religion, which cannot be adequately grasped through science or philosophy. It discusses the use of Shobogenzo to... Sesshin, Shobogenzo, New Year, Silence, confusion, Anger, Religion, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 26 1965 6:15pm Sokoji
Afternoon Service and Meal Chant Serial: SF-05112C Tape 1 Summer sesshin 1965, Monday 1st day of sesshin (?) July 26th 1965 Tape 1 Side 1: afternoon service; meal chant The talk focuses on the significance of the afternoon service and the meal chant during a Zen sesshin. It explores the repeated invocation of "Namo Shakyamuni Buddha," emphasizing the deep reverence and focus on devotion in Zen... Chanting, Buddha	Group	Jul 26 1965 Sokoji
Wisdom Seeks For Wisdom Serial: SF-05128 ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #2, by Shundo David Haye ===== Among the tapes previously known to exist in the Zen Center archives, the earliest were from a sesshin held at the end of July 1965, which contain recordings of... The talk discusses foundational aspects of Zen practice, emphasizing the interplay between Zazen and the practitioner's inmost nature, as presented by Suzuki Roshi at the Los Altos sittings. The central theme focuses on... Precepts, Genjokoan, Instruction, Precepts, Buddha Nature, Freedom, Buddha Mind, Posture,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 22 1965 Los Altos
Great Prajna Paramita Sutra Serial: 65-07-15 - Heart Sutra,	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 15 1965 Los Altos
Great Prajna Paramita Sutra Serial: 65-07-08 - Heart Sutra,	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 08 1965 Los Altos
Chanting Service Serial: SF-05079A Sesshin service July 1965.Robe chant, Maka Hannya Haramita Shin Gyo, eko, Maka Hannya Haramita Shin Gyo, eko, Maka Hannya Haramita Shin Gyo, eko, meal chants in Japanese (?)"Thursday morning chanting": same contents. This talk primarily focuses on the theme of chanting during a Zen sesshin service in July 1965, with a specific emphasis on various chants, including the "Robe chant" and "Maka Hannya Haramita Shin Gyo." The chanting also... Chanting, Evil	Group	Jul 1965 Sokoji
Blue Cliff Records-86, Ummon's Store-Room And Temple Gate - Commentary Serial: 65-07-00 Shunryu Suzuki Lecture from the July, 1965 Wind Bell The Hekigan Roku, translated into English by R.D.M. Shaw under the title of The Blue Cliff Records, is a famous collection of 100 koan stories compiled by Setcho Juken (A.D.... - Blue Cliff Record,	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 1965 Sokoji
Chanting Service Serial: SF-05117C From 1965, end of July sesshin.Robe Chant (incomplete), Maka Hannya Haramita Shin Gyo, eko. This talk from the end of a 1965 sesshin focuses on the practice of chanting within Zen Buddhism, specifically referencing the "Maka Hannya Haramita Shin Gyo" and the "Robe Chant." The discussion highlights the significance of... Chanting,	Group	Jul 1965 C Sokoji

The Suzuki Roshi Audio Archive

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