July 21st, 1971
Wednesday, July 21st, 1971Shunryū Suzuki-rōshi
Wednesday Evening, July 21, 1971
Tassajara
Listen to this talk: Suzuki-roshi 71-07-21
We discussed already last night[1] about what is something which we can experience or which we can understand, and what is something which we cannot understand. I was trying to explain, you know, the difference [between] something which you can understand and something which you cannot understand, and how you, you know, have an approach to something which you cannot understand is by practice.
But it is necessary for us at the same time to have understanding of Buddhism. It is necessary to read, and it is necessary to listen to lecture, and it is necessary to think about what is Buddhism. That is also important. And most important thing will be to have actual, you know, difficulties in our human life. That is very important.
But as I told you, the problem—you have enough problem already [laughs, laughter]. So don’t make home-made problems—cookies. That was what I told you last night. We are practicing zazen, so it is a great help. And those things—those points are very difficult and very important for our prefect understanding of Buddhism. If you mix up—mixed up those points, you will never understand what I am saying.