The Suzuki Roshi Audio Archive

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Showing 31 talks

Title	Speaker	Date
Shosan Ceremony Serial: SF-05964 Friday, December 5, 1969 Previously described as intranscribable - now clearer ----- File name: 69-12-05N: untitled level low. [Verbatim transcript not available. (Sound problem.)] The talk discusses various aspects of Zen practice, focusing on themes such as fear, selflessness, the nature of Buddha, and the practice of questioning. The exchanges emphasize the dissolution of ego, detachment from material... Ceremony, Shosan, Sixth Patriarch, Big Mind, Letting Go, Separation, Attachment, Dragons,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 05 1969 Tassajara
Talk on Shobogenzo Serial: SF-05111B Other Japanese lecture [case replaced 12/95. Case notes transcribed verbatim] This talk analyzes a chapter from the "Shobogenzo," focusing on the teachings about harmonious living within a Zen Monastery. The speaker emphasizes the notion that all members should coexist as seamlessly as milk and... Sesshin, Happiness	Katagiri Roshi	Aug 15 1966 B Sokoji
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...*	Various	Apr 25 1970 City Center
Tokusan and The Old Lady Serial: SF-05114C ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #10, by Shundo David Haye ===== This is another track from the same problematic reel as the previous two talks in this series. Initially, it seemed to be a talk of Katagiri Roshi - the first... The talk concludes with a discourse on the importance of wholehearted commitment to Zen practice, emphasizing a non-idealistic approach where each step in practice is executed with complete presence. The tale of Tokusan and the... Sesshin, Diamond Sutra, Balance, training, Religion	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 19 1966 1:00pm Sokoji
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...*	Suzuki Roshi	Apr 25 1970 A City Center
To Study The Self Serial: SF-05114D The talk focuses on the essential nature of Zen practice and the concept of self-identity through the metaphor of a burning candle. The process of studying Buddhism is described as a way to study and ultimately forget the self,... Sesshin, Dogen, Genjokoan, Bell, training, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 19 1966 pm Sokoji
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...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 09 1970 City Center
Liberty and Restriction Serial: SF-05116A March sesshin, only 1pm lecture. Evening lecture goofed up during recording.SR 007 Saturday, March 26, 1966 The talk explores the paradoxical relationship between liberty and restriction, emphasizing that true freedom can be realized through limitations. It asserts that restrictions provide a pathway to express individual freedom,... Sesshin, Balance, Freedom, Doubt, Faith, Ceremony	Suzuki Roshi	Mar 26 1966 BN Sokoji
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...	Various	Dec 12 1971 City Center
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,...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 15 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	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 01 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...*	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 29 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,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 17 1971 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*	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 16 1970 B City Center
Shuso Ceremony Serial: SF-05143C SR023 Last 2/3 side 2 Philip's discussion ceremony - copied 2 tapes [there are also photographs of hand-written notes on missing portions of Q&A - per tape operator's comments] The talk centers on reflections and acknowledgments following a training period, emphasizing the growth and maturation of both individuals and the Tassajara community. The importance of staying connected to the evolving nature of... Sesshin, Shuso Ceremony, Big Mind, Bell, Bodhidharma, Gratitude, Buddha Nature, Commitment,...	Suzuki Roshi, Philip Wilson	Apr 23 1968 C Tassajara
Genjo Koan no 4 Serial: SF-05136 Track 1 17/8 - Suzuki lectures - beginning missed, one or two sentences; beginning: This is the last lecture of sesshin. We have talked of emptiness and form, but have not understood it well. Maezumi's words are included on... The talk examines the concept of continuous practice in Zen by exploring the teachings "form is emptiness, emptiness is form," emphasizing the integral relationship between time and practice. Through the story of Gutei's one-... *Sesshin, Dogen, Genjokoan, Time, Faith, Emptiness, Continuous Practice, Dragons...*	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 24 1967 A Tassajara
We Are Always Helping Others Serial: SF-05080B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #13, by Shundo David Haye ===== This tape is, happily, the last of the messed-up recordings from the first half of 1966. It is the first of two talks from the July one-day sitting, and it begins... The talk elaborates on the Bodhisattva practice of helping others before helping oneself, a central tenet of Zen Buddhism. It challenges superficial understandings of service and stresses realizing the fundamental oneness of all... Shushogi, Enemies, training, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 23 1966 B Sokoji
Tokusan and The Old Lady Serial: SF-05114A ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #8, by Shundo David Haye ===== At Zen Center, responsibilities get passed on from person to person regularly. One part of traditional Zen training is that a monk should not expect to keep any... This talk explores the story of "Tokusan and the Old Lady" from Mumon's comment on Case 28 of the Mumonkan, with insights into Dogen's commentary from the 'Ungraspable Mind' fascicle in the Shobogenzo. It emphasizes the... Genjokoan, Buddha Mind, Zazen, Culture	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 19 1966 pm Sokoji
untitled Serial: SR-00007 Newly reprocessed recording should be a little clearer The talk delves into the pivotal moment when the Buddha acknowledged Shariputra's wisdom and the significant moral of the burning house parable from a Buddhist sutra. It explores themes of understanding karma, the illusion of... Lotus Sutra, Monks, Breath, Building	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 24 1968 Sokoji
Lotus Sūtra No. I-6 Serial: SR-00106 February 1968Zen Mountain Center The talk analyzes the eternal nature of Buddha's teachings as illustrated in the Lotus Sūtra, emphasizing the comprehensive and recursive expounding by Bodhisattva Varaprabha for countless kalpas. The discussion incorporates the... Lotus Sutra, First Principle, First Principle, Truth, Karma, Monks, Sutra, Suffering, Death,...	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 1968 Series 1, Talk 6 Tassajara
Zen Is Also Buddhism Serial: SF-05130C SR013 date? Fall 1967 Tassajara III - Side 1 + 1/2 side 2 Suzuki lecture copied The lecture explores the concept of "Zen as a part of Buddhism," focusing on the three-fold body of Buddha: Dharmakaya (truth), Sambhogakaya (teaching), and Nirmanakaya (historical being). It highlights how Mahayana Buddhism... *Mahayana, New Year, Buddha Nature, Hate, Observe, Concentration, Balance, Freedom, Doubt...*	Suzuki Roshi	Sep 1967 Tassajara
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	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 23 1970 City Center
Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. III-6 Serial: SF-06005 Third Lotus Sutra Series Thursday Evening, October 30, 1969 Zen Mountain Center The talk analyzes a section of the Lotus Sutra and discusses its translation by Kumarajiva, emphasizing the accessibility and popularity of his rendition in China and Japan. The discussion includes the significance of certain... Lotus Sutra, Beginner’s Mind, Politics, Interview, Concentration, Precepts, Freedom, Doubt...	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 30 1969 Series 3, Talk 6 Tassajara
Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. II-11 Serial: SF-05251 October 1968New version uploaded, should help with transcript The talk primarily explores the lineage and teachings of Mahakashapa, illustrating the transition from original Buddhism to the development of Zen Buddhism. Mahakashapa is presented as the second Patriarch in Zen and Tendai,... Lotus Sutra, Lay, Emptiness, Interview, Ceremony	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 1968 Series 2, Talk 11 Tassajara
Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. II-12 Serial: SR-00004 Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. 12Shunryu Suzuki Lecture October 1968 This talk discusses the structure and teachings of the Lotus Sutra, emphasizing its dual structure comprising the concepts of Shakumon (rightness of forms) and absolute existence as they relate to experiencing Buddha's life. It... Lotus Sutra, First Principle, Suffering, Observe, Compassion, Intention, heart, Emptiness,...	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 1968 Series 2, Talk 12 Tassajara
Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. II-9 Serial: SF-06041 Audio Problem Set has been replaced by original recording, with speed adjustments made.Newly processed version should be a little clearer to trancsribe This talk discusses the assembly and significance of various supernatural beings and deities mentioned in the "Lotus Sutra." It explores their roles, origins, and transitions from ancient deities to protectors within the Buddhist... Lotus Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Suzuki Roshi, Demons	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 1968 Series 2, Talk 9 Tassajara
Using Various Stones Serial: SF-05131C SR 014 - On this tape: lectures A and B and also first part of D. This is to be known as the A-B lecture tape or #1 ZMC (has been transcribed) Track 1 Roshi's lecture A 9/8/67 - copied The talk examines the Zen practice of perceiving and accepting "things as they are," emphasizing this as the foundation of Zen Buddhism. Struggles in grasping one's own mind are acknowledged, emphasizing that understanding... *Practice, Enlightenment, Time*	Suzuki Roshi	Sep 08 1967 B Tassajara
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
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...*	Suzuki Roshi	Jun 29 1969 Tassajara
If Our Teaching Is A Special Teaching Serial: SF-05130B SR013 date? Fall 1967 Tassajara III - Side 2 2nd half - Part of Suzuki lecture copied The talk explores the relationship between general Buddhist teachings and what is considered "special teaching," focusing on the unique characteristics of Buddhism in assimilating various types of understanding,... *Religion*	Suzuki Roshi	Sep 1967 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*	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 30 1969 Tassajara