Quote

There are, strictly speaking, no enlightened people, there is only enlightened activity.

Shunryu Suzuki

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Shunryu Suzuki
Age: 67 †
Born: 1904
Born: May 18
Died: 1971
Died: December 4
Bhikkhu
Leader
Missionary
Philosopher
Writer
Atlanta
Georgia
Enlightened
Speaking
Activity
People
Strictly

More quotes by Shunryu Suzuki

Image
In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
Life without zazen is like winding your clock without setting it. It runs perfectly well, but it dosen't tell time.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
Let your ears hear without trying to hear. Let the mind think without trying to think and without trying to stop it. That is practice.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
In the Lotus Sutra, Buddha says to light up one corner - not the whole world. Just make it clear where you are.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
To give your sheep or cow a large, spacious meadow is the way to control him.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
Bowing is a very serious practice. You should be prepared to bow, even in your last moment. even though it is impossible to get rid of our self-centered desires, we have to do it. Our true nature wants us to.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
It is a big mistake to think that the best way to express yourself is to do whatever you want, acting as you please. This is not expressing yourself. If you know what to do exactly, and you do it, then you can express yourself fully.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
It is only by practicing through a continual succession of agreeable and disagreeable situations that we acquire true strengths. To accept that pain is inherent and to live our lives from this understanding is to create the causes and conditions for happiness.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
How much 'ego' do you need? Just enough so that you don't step in front of a bus.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
In your big mind, everything has the same value...In your practice you should accept everything as it is, giving to each thing the same respect given to a Buddha. Here there is Buddhahood
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
Moment after moment everything comes out of nothingness. This is the true joy of life.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
There should not be any particular teaching. Teaching is in each moment.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
If you want to read a letter from the Buddha's world, it is necessary to understand Buddha's world.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
The world is its own magic.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
You will always exist in the universe in one form or another.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
We ourselves cannot put any magic spells on this world. The world is its own magic.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
To cook is not just to prepare food for someone or to cook for yourself it is to express your sincerity. So when you cook you should express yourself in your activity in the kitchen. You should allow yourself plenty of time.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
The way that helps will not be the same it changes according to the situation.
Shunryu Suzuki
Image
A Master who cannot bow to a disciple cannot bow to Buddha.
Shunryu Suzuki