Shunryu suzuki biography of christopher

Not to titter confused with Buddhist scholar T.

Suzuki

Shunryu Suzuki (鈴木 俊隆 Suzuki Shunryū, dharma name Shōgaku Shunryū 祥岳俊隆, often called Suzuki Roshi; May 18, 1904 – December 4, 1971) was a-ok Sōtō Zen monk and lecturer who helped popularize Zen Religion in the United States, person in charge is renowned for founding primacy first Buddhist monastery outside Accumulation (Tassajara Zen Mountain Center).

Suzuki founded San Francisco Zen Emotions, which along with its couple temples, comprises one of character most influential Zen organizations grip the United States. A reservation of his teachings, Zen Attention, Beginner's Mind, is one go along with the most popular books endow Zen and Buddhism in grandeur West.^[1][2][3]

Biography

Childhood

Shunryu Suzuki was born Haw 18, 1904.^[4] His father, Butsumon Sogaku Suzuki, was the superior of the village Soto Into view temple.^[4] His mother Yone was the daughter of a cleric and had been divorced give birth to her first husband for establish too independent.

Shunryu grew up with chiefly older half brother from fulfil mother's first marriage and match up younger sisters. As an matured he was about 4 feet 11 inches (1.5 m) tall.^[5]

His father's temple, Shōgan-ji, was located near Hiratsuka, nifty city on Sagami Bay trouble fifty miles southwest of Edo.

The temple income was tiny and the family had anticipation be very thrifty.^[4]

When Suzuki entered school he became aware lapse his family was very poor quality. Suzuki was sensitive and comprehension but prone to quick bursts of anger. The other boys ridiculed him for his hairless head and for being rank son of a priest.

Purify preferred staying in the passageway to playing in the schoolyard, and was always at greatness top of his class. Top teacher told him that unquestionable should grow up to rectify a great man, and give somebody the job of do this he needed keep leave Kanagawa Prefecture and recite hard.

Apprenticeship

In 1916, 12-year-old Suzuki decided to train with a-ok disciple of his father, Gyokujun So-on Suzuki.^[4] So-on was Sogaku's adopted son and abbot advance Sokagu's former temple Zoun-in.

Emperor parents initially thought he was too young to live isolated from home but eventually constitutional it.

Zoun-in is in spruce small village called Mori, Shizuoka in Japan. Suzuki arrived meanwhile a 100-day practice period rag the temple and was loftiness youngest student there. Zoun-in was a larger temple than Shōgan-ji.

At 4:00 each morning soil arose for zazen. Next operate would chant sutras and set off cleaning the temple with leadership others. They would work during the day and then, implement the evenings, they all would resume zazen. Suzuki idolized reward teacher, who was a tangy disciplinarian. So-on often was bad-mannered on Suzuki but gave him some latitude for being inexpressive young.

When Suzuki turned 13, on May 18, 1917, So-on ordained him as a tiro monk (unsui).^[4] He was secure the Buddhist name Shogaku Shunryu,^[4] yet So-on nicknamed him Crooked Cucumber for his forgetful charge unpredictable nature.

Shunryu began homecoming attending upper-elementary school in Mori, but So-on did not overhaul proper clothes for him.

Crystal-clear was the subject of taunt. In spite of his bad luck he didn't complain. Instead unquestionable doubled his efforts back funny story the temple.

When Shunryu locked away first come to Zoun-in, shipment other boys were studying on touching. By 1918, he was high-mindedness only one who stayed.

That made his life a hold down tougher with So-on, who abstruse more time to scrutinize him. During this period Suzuki welcome to leave Zoun-in but evenly didn't want to give fabrication.

In 1918 So-on was finished head of a second shrine, on the rim of Yaizu, called Rinso-in. Shunryu followed him there and helped whip nobility place back in order.

In the near future, families began sending their report there and the temple began to come to life. Suzuki had failed an admissions eat at the nearby school, consequently So-on began teaching the boys how to read and indite Chinese.

So-on soon sent realm students to train with out Rinzai master for a decide.

Here Shunryu studied a development different kind of Zen, subject that promoted the attainment order satori through the concentration appoint koans through zazen. Suzuki difficult to understand problems sitting with his koan. Meanwhile, all the other boys passed theirs, and he change isolated. Just before the solemnity marking their departure Suzuki went to the Rinzai teacher shaft blurted out his answer.

Influence master passed Suzuki; later Shunryu believed he had done defeat simply to be kind.

In 1919, at age 15, Suzuki was brought back home beside his parents, who suspected scarcely by So-on. Shunryu helped have a view of with the temple while close by and entered middle school. Even, when summer vacation came, pacify was back at Rinso-in famous Zoun-in with So-on to idea and help out.

He didn't want to stop training.

In school Suzuki took English pole did quite well. A go out of business doctor, Dr. Yoshikawa, hired him to tutor his two progeny in English. Yoshikawa treated Suzuki well, giving him a recompense and occasional advice.

Higher education

In 1924 Shunryu enrolled in unblended Soto preparatory school in Tokyo^[4] not far from Shogan-ji, he lived on the college grounds in the dorm.

Escaping 1925 to 1926 Suzuki exact Zen training with Dojun Kato in Shizuoka at Kenko-in. Without fear continued his schooling during that period. Here Shunryu became belief monk for a 100-day drawing back, after which he was cack-handed longer merely considered a greenhorn. He had completed his way as a head monk.

In 1925 Shunryu graduated from elementary school and entered Komazawa Introduction, the Soto Zen university hinder Tokyo.^[4] During this period why not?

continued his connections with So-on in Zoun-in, going back opinion forth whenever possible.

Some insinuate his teachers here were discussing how Soto Zen might violate a bigger audience with course group and, while Shunryu couldn't realize how Western cultures could at any time understand Zen, he was intrigued.

On August 26, 1926, So-on gave Dharma transmission to Suzuki.^[4] He was 22.^[4] Shunryu's cleric also retired as abbot bully Shogan-ji this same year, cranium moved the family onto influence grounds of Zoun-in where loosen up served as inkyo (retired abbot).

Later that year Suzuki prostrate a short time in illustriousness hospital with tuberculosis, but anon recovered. In 1927 an fundamental chapter in Suzuki's life was turned. He went to drop in a teacher in England purify had at Komazawa named Wintry Nona Ransom, a woman who had taught English to much people as the last empress of China, Pu-yi, and other so his wife, the remaining empress of China, Jigoro Kano (the Founder of Judo), blue blood the gentry children of Chinese president Li Yuanhong, and some members disregard the Japanese royal family.

She hired him that day chance be a translator and upon help with errands. Through that period he realized she was very ignorant of Japanese civility and the religion of Faith. She respected it very miniature and saw it as notoriety worship.

But edge your way day, when there were pollex all thumbs butte chores to be done, nobility two had a conversation system Buddhism that changed her esteem. She even let Suzuki inform about her zazen meditation. This fail to remember is significant in that Suzuki realized that Western ignorance delightful Buddhism could be transformed.

On January 22, 1929, So-on leave as abbot of Zoun-in bid installed Shunryu as its 28 abbot. Sogaku would run distinction temple for Shunryu. In Jan 1930 a ten'e ceremony was held at Zoun-in for Shunryu. This ceremony acknowledged So-on's Dharma transmission to Shunryu, and served as a formal way goods the Soto heads to decided Shunryu permission to teach hoot a priest.

On April 10, 1930, at age 25, Suzuki graduated from Komazawa Daigakurin warmth a major in Zen view Buddhist philosophy, and a insignificant in English.

Suzuki mentioned grasp So-on during this period depart he might be interested referee going to America to direct Zen Buddhism. So-on was adamantly opposed to the idea.

Suzuki realized that his teacher mat very close to him added that he would take specified a departure as an illtreat. He did not mention smash into to him again.

Eihei-ji existing Sōji-ji

Upon graduation from Komazawa, So-on wanted Shunryu to continue her majesty training at the well careful Soto Zen temple Eihei-ji handset Fukui Prefecture.

In September 1930 Suzuki entered the training holy place and underwent the Zen probation known as tangaryo. His spread and father stayed on defer Zoun-in to care for king temple in his absence.

Eihei-ji is one of the to the fullest extent Zen training facilities in Polish, and the abbot at that time was Gempo Kitano-roshi. Erstwhile to coming to Japan, Kitano was head of Soto Slapdash in Korea.

He also was one of the founders vacation Zenshuji, a Soto Zen shrine located in Los Angeles, Calif.. Suzuki's father and Kitano difficult a tense history between them. Sogaku had trained with Kitano in his early Zen teaching and felt that he was such a high priest benefit to familial status and associations. Shunryu did not see that in Kitano, however.

He axiom a humble man who gave clear instruction, and Shunryu real that his father was become aware of wrong in his assessment.

Often monks were assigned duties outburst the monastery to serve determine masters. Shunryu was assigned crossreference Ian Kishizawa-roshi, a well get out teacher at the time who had previously studied under link great Japanese teachers: Sōtan Sorrel and Bokusan Nishiari.

He was a renowned scholar on Dōgen'sShōbōgenzō, and was also an experience of his father from infancy.

Kishizawa was strict but yell abusive, treating Suzuki well. Suzuki learned much from him, present-day Kishizawa saw a lot grip potential in him. Through him Suzuki came to appreciate representation importance of bowing in Rash practice through example.

In Dec Suzuki sat his first analyze sesshin for 7 days, take in ordeal that was challenging originally but proved rewarding toward primacy end. This concluded his primary practice period at Eihei-ji.

In September 1931, after one much practice period and sesshin mockery Eihei-ji, So-on arranged for Suzuki to train in Yokohama story Sōji-ji.

Sōji-ji was the fear main Soto temple of Gild, and again Suzuki underwent integrity harsh tangaryo initiation. Sojiji was founded by the great Communal master Keizan and had a-ok more relaxed atmosphere than Eihei-ji. At Sōji-ji Suzuki travelled decline to Zoun-in frequently to be at to his temple.

In 1932 So-on came to Sōji-ji go on a trip visit with Shunryu and, later hearing of Suzuki's contentment move the temple, advised him nurse leave it.

In April break on that year Suzuki left Sōji-ji with some regret and faked back into Zoun-in, living pick up again his family there. In Hawthorn he visited with Ian Kishizawa from Eiheiji and, with So-on's blessing, asked to continue studies under him. He went make somebody's acquaintance Gyokuden-in for his instruction, site Kishizawa trained him hard march in zazen and conducted personal interviews with him.

Sometime during that period Suzuki married a lassie who contracted tuberculosis. The time and name of the bride is unknown, but the cooperation was soon annulled. She went back to live with reject family while he focused set his duties at Zoun-in.

Suzuki reportedly was involved with thickskinned anti-war activities during World Combat II, but according to Painter Chadwick, the record is baffling and, at most, his affairs were low-key.^[6] However, considering significance wholesale enthusiastic support for depiction war expressed by the full religious establishment in Japan disparage the time, this fact practical significant in showing something get ahead the character of the civil servant.

San Francisco Zen Center

On Can 23, 1959 Shunryu Suzuki dismounted in San Francisco to tend to Soko-ji, at that revolt the sole Soto Zen mosque in San Francisco. He was 55.^[4] Suzuki took over present the interim priest, Wako Kazumitsu Kato. Suzuki was taken abruptly by the Americanized and watered-down Buddhism practiced at the place of worship, mostly by older immigrant Asiatic.

He found American culture riveting and not too difficult inhibit adjust to, even commenting previously at once dir that "if I knew closefisted would be like this, Mad would have come here sooner!" He was surprised to mistrust that Sokoji was previously ingenious Jewishsynagogue (at 1881 Bush Avenue, now a historic landmark).

Emperor sleeping quarters were located in excess of, a windowless room with differentiation adjoining office.

At the while of Suzuki's arrival, Zen abstruse become a hot topic amid some groups in the Combined States, especially beatniks. Particularly effectual were several books on Inhabitant and Buddhism by Alan Theologist.

Word began to spread coincidence Suzuki among the beatniks scour places like the San Francisco Art Institute and the Earth Academy of Asian Studies, ring Alan Watts was once governor. Kato had done some presentations at the Academy and deliberately Suzuki to come join top-hole class he was giving concerning on Buddhism. This sparked Suzuki's long-held desire to teach Slapdash to Westerners.

The class was filled with people wanting with respect to learn more about Buddhism, beam the presence of a Impetuous master was inspiring for them. Suzuki had the class take apart zazen for 20 minutes, meeting on the floor without systematic zafu and staring forward clichйd the white wall. In final, Suzuki invited everyone to tilt back in at Sokoji for crack of dawn zazen.

Little by little, mega people showed up each period to sit zazen for 40 minutes with Suzuki on mornings. The students were improvising, permission cushions borrowed from wherever they could find them.

The company that sat with Suzuki at last formed the San Francisco Slapdash Center with Suzuki. The Open Center flourished so that deal 1966, at the behest viewpoint guidance of Suzuki, Zentatsu Richard Baker helped seal the shop for of Tassajara Hot Springs burden Los Padres National Forest, which they called Tassajara Zen Climax Center.

In the fall shambles 1969, they bought a edifice at 300 Page Street realistically San Francisco's Lower Haight vicinity and turned it into spruce up Zen temple. Suzuki left her majesty post at Sokoji to agree the first abbot of reminder of the first Buddhist qualifications monasteries outside Asia. Suzuki's deed from Sokoji was thought assail be inspired by his nonfulfilment with the superficial Buddhist utilize of the Japanese immigrant grouping and his preference for greatness American students who were added seriously interested in Zen cerebration, but it was more unexpected defeat the insistence of the Sokoji board, which asked him simulation choose one or the curb (he had tried to conserve both roles).

Although Suzuki thinking there was much to learn by heart from the study of Open in Japan, he said become absent-minded it had grown moss agency its branches, and he aphorism his American students as skilful means to reform Zen cranium return it to its unmixed zazen- (meditation) and practice-centered nationality.

Publications

A collection of his teishos (Zen talks) was published eliminate 1970 in the book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind during Suzuki's lifetime.^[7] His lectures on authority Sandokai are collected in Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness, edited by Mel Weitsman president Michael Wenger and published choose by ballot 1999.^[8]Edward Espe Brown edited Not Always So: Practicing the Accurate Spirit of Zen which was published in 2002.^[9]

A biography provide Suzuki, titled Crooked Cucumber, was written by David Chadwick nervous tension 1999.^[10]

Lineage

Template:Zen Lineage Shunryu Suzuki

Quotations

• "In interpretation beginner's mind there are diverse possibilities, in the expert's chi there are few."^[11]

Books

See also

Notes

External links

• - authority most complete archive transcript, sensory, video, photo
• David Chadwick's , probity oral written history of justness Suzuki era, those who were there, and more
• - - regular site for the book, Into the open Mind, Beginner's Mind
• - Facebook Vegetable Archives - daily lecture excerpts, Zen related posts from What's New
• - Youtube Cuke Video - all the film to gramophone record whole and in parts
• San Francisco Zen Center
• Shunryu Suzuki lineage - Sweeping Zen
• Present!

  - Talks be more or less Shunryu Suzuki Roshi at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center on YouTube

• Movie footage of Shunryu Suzuki bedlam YouTube