Shunryu Suzuki

Shunryu Suzuki

Zen master and author of Zen Mind.

A Japanese Zen master who was instrumental in bringing Zen Buddhism to the United States. His teachings, encapsulated in his book "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," emphasize the importance of maintaining a beginner's mind and the practice of zazen (sitting meditation). His approach to Zen practice stresses simplicity, mindfulness, and the direct experience of reality, making Zen teachings accessible and relevant to modern practitioners.

Shunryu Suzuki Quotes about Thoughts

AllMind(31)Practice(30)Life(17)Zen(17)Moment(16)Zazen(12)Time(12)World(12)Nature(10)Enlightenment(9)Truth(9)Universe(7)Body(7)Effort(6)People(6)Understanding(5)Reality(5)Purpose(4)Future(4)God(4)Meditation(4)Buddhism(4)Food(3)Sun(3)Religion(3)Secret(3)Thoughts(3)Change(3)Confidence(3)Work(3)Past(3)
  • Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don't serve them tea.
    Shunryu Suzuki
    21
  • In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.... In the beginner's mind there is no thought, 'I have attained something.' All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. We can really learn something.
    Shunryu Suzuki
    9
  • In the beginner's mind there is no thought, "I have attained something." All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. The beginner's mind is the mind of compassion. When our mind is compassionate, it is boundless. Dogen-zenji, the founder of our school, always emphasized how important it is to resume our boundless original mind. Then we are always true to ourselves, in sympathy with all beings, and can actually practice.
    Shunryu Suzuki
    9