The SFZC Audio Archive

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Title	Speaker	Date
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...	Suzuki Roshi	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, Faith*	Suzuki Roshi	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, Tassajara, Offering, Pain, Beginners,...	Suzuki Roshi	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, Meditation, Bell, Ego, Emotions, difficulty, Religion*	Katagiri Roshi	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, Anger, Attachment, Faith,...	Suzuki Roshi	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,...*	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 23 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	Suzuki Roshi	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,...	Suzuki Roshi	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...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 07 1969 Sokoji
Beyond Water: Zen in Perception Serial: SF-10092 Talk by Shunryu Suzuki Not Always So Sokoji Sf Ew on 1969-08-07 This talk explores the Zen concept of perception, emphasizing that definitive understanding or labels like "water is water" are inherently limited. Zen teachings, such as those by Dogen Zenji, suggest that understanding should go... *Practice, Freedom, Time*	Shunryu Suzuki Not Always So Sokoji Sf Ew	Aug 07 1969
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...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 06 1969 Sokoji
Embracing Selflessness Through Zen Practice Serial: SF-10088 Talk by Shunryu Suzuki To Actually Selflessness Sokoji Sf Ew on 1969-08-06 The talk focuses on the embrace of selflessness through Zen practice, specifically addressing the challenges encountered during Zazen and the acceptance of the absence of self-nature. Emphasizing the reality of causality and... *Practice, Karma, Pain*	Shunryu Suzuki To Actually Selflessness Sokoji Sf Ew	Aug 06 1969
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, Sutra...	Suzuki Roshi	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, Emptiness...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 02 1969 Tassajara
Interconnected Impermanence in Buddhist Wisdom Serial: SF-10089 Talk by Shunryu Suzuki The First Teaching Tass Sf Ew on 1969-08-02 The talk explores the foundational teachings of Buddhism, focusing on the Four Noble Truths: the teaching that everything changes, selflessness, suffering, and nirvana. It emphasizes the concepts of non-substantiality and non-... *Suffering, Time, Wisdom*	Shunryu Suzuki The First Teaching Tass Sf Ew	Aug 02 1969
Interdependence: Illusion of Self Unveiled Serial: SF-10091 Talk by Shunryu Suzuki The First Teaching Tass Sf C Ew on 1969-08-02 The talk focuses on the Zen understanding of suffering, interdependence, and the nature of reality. Emphasizing the principle of interdependence, the speaker explains that all beings and phenomena are interconnected both... *Suffering, Wisdom, Time*	Shunryu Suzuki The First Teaching Tass Sf C Ew	Aug 02 1969
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...*	Katagiri Roshi	Aug 1969
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	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 01 1969 Tassajara
Embrace Presence Beyond Measure Serial: SF-10090 Talk by Shunryu Suzuki Tass The Most Important Precept Sf Ew on 1969-08-01 The talk focuses on embracing the present moment and accepting one's circumstances without constant evaluation or comparison. It emphasizes the importance of direct experience and intuition over reliance on external measures, and... *Practice, Religion*	Shunryu Suzuki Tass The Most Important Precept Sf Ew	Aug 01 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, Karma, Emptiness, Wisdom*	Suzuki Roshi	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, Composure...	Suzuki Roshi	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*...	Katagiri Roshi	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... *Observe*	Suzuki Roshi	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,...*	Suzuki Roshi	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, Dogen, Buddha Mind, Buddha Mind, Passions, Compassion	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 11 1969 Sokoji
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, Discrimination, Observe, Meditation, Pain, Building*...	Katagiri Roshi	Jul 09 1969
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, Enemies, Truth, Duality, Balance	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 09 1969 Tassajara
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,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 08 1969 Sokoji
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,...*	Katagiri Roshi	Jul 03 1969
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, Enemies, War, Death	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 03 1969 Tassajara
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... *Freedom, Priest, Offering, Religion, Culture, Ceremony, difficulty*	Suzuki Roshi	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, Transmission, Culture, Observe...	Suzuki Roshi	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, Causation, Evil, Posture, Community, Religion, Karma, Breath...	Katagiri Roshi	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...*	Suzuki Roshi	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*	Katagiri Roshi	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, Concentration, Happiness*	Katagiri Roshi	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, Sutra, Forms, Pain	Suzuki Roshi	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,...	Suzuki Roshi	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,...*	Katagiri Roshi	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...	Katagiri Roshi	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*	Suzuki Roshi	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, Beginners, Instruction, Anger, Posture, Pain*	Suzuki Roshi	May 18 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...*	Katagiri Roshi	Apr 29 1969
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... Dogen, Agama Sutra, Precepts, Mahayana, Sutra, Observe, Freedom, Vow, Enemies, Hate, Pain...	Suzuki Roshi	Apr 29 1969 Sokoji
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*	Suzuki Roshi	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,...*	Katagiri Roshi	Apr 19 1969
Zen Is Not Something To Talk About, And Also It Is Something To Talk About Serial: SR-00015 Shunryu Suzuki (with Ryogen Yoshimura) Afternoon Sesshin Lecture Sunday, April 19, 1969 Audio includes Yoshimura at beginning. The talk explores the paradoxical nature of Zen, emphasizing that Zen is both beyond words and conveyed through words. It emphasizes the importance of an empty mind and direct experience in understanding Zen teachings, rather... *Sesshin, Suffering, Monks, Don't Know Mind, Priest, Community, Posture, Hate...*	Suzuki Roshi	Apr 19 1969
Scratching the Itch of Existence Serial: KR-00014 The talk on April 18th, 1969, explores the paradoxical nature of desires and suffering through the metaphor of scratching an itch, questioning the true essence of happiness and the nature of change. It delves into the practice of... *Obstacles, Tassajara, Intention, Vow, Ceremony*	Katagiri Roshi	Apr 18 1969
Zen Beyond Imitation and Ritual Serial: KR-00012 This talk emphasizes the necessity of transmitting the essence of Zen Buddhism authentically, without imitation or excuse, especially in the context of establishing Zen practice in the United States. Discussions also surface... *New Year, Lotus Sutra, Instruction, Buddha Nature, Demons, Mindfulness, Tassajara, Bell,...*	Katagiri Roshi	Apr 17 1969
Journey Through Suffering to Enlightenment Serial: KR-00042 The talk discusses the concept of "skillful means" (upaya) in Buddhism, illustrating how these teachings help individuals reach enlightenment by understanding their innate ignorance and suffering. It emphasizes the necessity of... *Silence, Nirvana, Meditation, Don't Know Mind, Causation, Suffering, Pain, Lineage,...*	Katagiri Roshi	Apr 15 1969

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