Summary

In the talk titled “Traditional Zen Spirit,” Suzuki again emphasizes the importance of practice. He explains that Buddhism has a deep and firm system of thought, but Zen is not concerned with philosophical understanding. He explains the importance of Bodhidharma, the ‘father of Zen.’ Before Bodhidharma, people thought that zazen prepared someone for sudden enlightenment. Bodhidharma realized that practice based on wanting something is a repetition of karma. Suzuki says that if practice to attain enlightenment, we get caught in ego-centered ideas; practice is no different from the rest of our life. The purpose of practice is to cut the karmic, repetitive life. Sincerity is more important than any stage you gain. The most important thing is this moment--not some day in the future. Bodhidharma discovered it was a mistake to create a lofty idea then try to attain it by practicing zazen...