August 23rd, 1970
Sunday, August 23rd, 1970Shunryū Suzuki-rōshi
LAY ORDINATION CEREMONY[1]
Sunday, August 23, 1970
San Francisco
SOUND PROBLEM
Tape operator (possibly Yvonne Rand): First part of Rōshi’s address here is inaudible on the original tape.
Suzuki-rōshi:
… and obtain similar to result according to [1 word unclear] like our [1-2] bodhisattva way. [2-3] bodhisattva spirit. [3-4] of our practice. And how you, you know, actually practice may be in [1-2]. You say “Hai!” That is the point of practice. When you say “Hai,” you are one with your “hai.” One with your Zen. One with your [1]. And one with your [1].
So when you say Hai!—or when you say “Yes, I will!”—then there is true mind of helping, you know. And if you cannot say “Hai!” from the bottom of heart, with all of your strength, that practice doesn’t work.
[5-7] start with this practice of “Yes, I will!” That is the fundamental practice of bodhisattva practice. And to have complete perfect understanding of how important it is to say “Hai” is your whole life’s practice.