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Men are polished, through act and speech, Each by each, As pebbles are smoothed on the rolling beach. John Townsend Trowbridge		Thursday Nov 06, 2025
		Quotes: 53419 Authors: 9969

About Shunryu Suzuki-roshi

	Shunryu Suzuki-roshi
	(1905-1971) Japanese Buddhist scholar & Zen master, founder of the San Francisco Zen Center.

Popular Shunryu Suzuki-roshi Quotes

At high noon or in the dark moonless night there is a light. Can you see it? And, by the way, who are you?

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few.

In Japan we have the phrase, 'Shoshin,' which means 'beginner's mind.' Our 'original mind' includes everything within itself. It is always rich and sufficient within itself. This does not mean a closed mind, but actually an empty mind and a ready mind. If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything. It is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.

When we inhale, the air comes into the inner world. When we exhale, the air goes out to the outer world. The inner world is limitless, and the outer world is also limitless. We say 'inner world' or 'outer world' but actually, There is just one whole world.

If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.

Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.

Tai Shimano visited Shunryu Suzuki. 'How are you feeling these days?' Suzuki replied, 'They have a new name for me: Cancer!'

When you do something, you should burn yourself up completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.

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