Zen Is Right Here: Teaching Stories and Anecdotes of Shunryu Suzuki, Author of "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind"

by Shunryu Suzuki, David Chadwick (Editor)

Shunryu Suzuki's extraordinary gift for conveying traditional Zen teachings using ordinary language is well known to the countless readers of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. In Zen Is Right Here, his teachings are brought to life powerfully and directly through stories told about him by his students. These living encounters with Zen are poignant, direct, humorous, paradoxical, and enlightening; and their setting in real-life contexts makes them wonderfully accessible.

Like the Buddha himself, Suzuki Roshi gave profound teachings that were skilfully expressed for each moment, person, and situation he encountered. He emphasized that while the ungraspable essence of Buddhism is constant, the expression of that essence is always changing. Each of the stories presented here is an example of this versatile and timeless quality, showing that the potential for attaining enlightenment exists right here, right now, in this very moment.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Meditation

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Suzuki Roshi was a Sōtō Zen monk and teacher who helped popularize Zen Buddhism in the United States, and is renowned for founding the first Buddhist monastery outside Asia (Tassajara Zen Mountain Center). Suzuki founded San Francisco Zen Center, which along with its affiliate temples, comprises one of the most influential Zen organizations in the United States. A book of his teachings, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, is one of the most popular books on Zen and Buddhism in the West

Reviews

[Ann M]

This is a book of Zen anecdotes, some of which are hilarious:

Student: "Roshi, if a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, does it make a sound?"

Suzuki Roshi: "It doesn't matter."
----

Generations of college students knew that already, but I think a lot of Zen is what you already knew but got educated out of. That's why I like this book. But it's not an exhaustive intro of any kind, just a fun short book with a paragraph on each page.

[Mark O'Leary]

It's not that this is a bad book. It's just a waste of money. A lot of what is here is available elsewhere. (Sean Murphy's One Bird, One Stone comes to mind.) There is actually surprisingly little material and surprisingly plenty of white space. For twenty bucks, you can do better. Those who read Zen Mind, Beginners Mind and Crooked Cucumber and skip Zen Is Right Here will have missed nothing.

[Marie]

A thoughtful and contemplative book of short anecdotes from those who "studied" with Suzuki. They reveal his gentle humour and his wit. Of course, like any great master, Suzuki could be cryptic. The anecdotes are credited. There is also a valuable reading list in the appendix

[Elissa Jane Mastel]

When my landlord heard I was dipping my toes into Buddhism study, he ran into his house and came back out with this book in his hands.

Sure enough, as he promised, it was a delightful quick read.

It's the sort of thing you could put by your bed and read a page each morning to ponder throughout the day. It's mostly anecdotes to spark the mind and spark mindfulness.

[ken]

This is 100 or so pages of anecdotes from students of Suzuki Roshi. Each one a lesson in itself. I found it remarkable how each page only contains a few sentences yet manage to tell a story of such great depth. Check out page 64... something we all need to know.

[Heather Sinclair]

This was a reeeeally short read, and one that was pretty light for a Zen book. It's basically a collection of stories about a particular teacher, and there's a mixed bag of touching, profound, and funny. It's a glimpse into the day-to-day life of someone who lives Zen, and in that way it was interesting to see it at work in the real world.

Recommended for people who have already read books about Zen and meditation--you won't learn much from this, but if you have a basic understanding you'll appreciate it more.

[Nina Mayers]

as someone who grew up Buddhist (different sect than Zen, but the principles remain), reading this felt so refreshing. very easy read and so much wisdom in only 125 pages. such a beautiful reminder of the Buddhist practice in all of its embracing love and fluidity. I took away so many key themes of our individual and collective power, the balance of life, and the infinite and abundant energy that always exists within us. Suzuki Roshi has such a humorous spirit and it was a joy to learn from him through anecdotes and stories of his students.

[Charlie Kuil]

Shunryu Suzuki was certainly full of wisdom, and so is this book. You can spend minutes on one of the pages in this book, trying to decipher exactly what he meant in each little statement or action with one of his students. There were plenty where, I still couldn't tell you exactly what his intention was. But each person will take something from this book, at least a few of its pages will resonate and stick with you. Awesome book i will be happy to keep on my shelf and return to, flipping to a random page to see what it tells me in that moment.

[Hlyan]

Short anecdotes and teachings of the Zen master Suzuki Roshi. Most of them just one or two lines but each one is like a hit in the head by the master's stick. It gives you so many "Aha!" moments one after another. But they're all not so serious. Some of them will make you smile, some will make you laugh out loud, and some will slap you right in the face but you'll be saying, "More, please more!"

[Ala]

A deeply entertaining read that brings the wisdom of Shunryu Suzuki to life through a collection of warm, humorous anecdotes.

It's filled with insights that instantly shift your perspective on mindfulness and daily routine.

It is a thoroughly captivating and refreshing listen that beautifully demonstrates how profound insights are found in the simplest interactions.

[TwinklyOne]

Wonderful

I was very touched by the simple yet powerful stories and lines in this book. The profundity contained in each page cannot be properly conveyed in a short review. Do read. I'll be reading these over and over again.

[Rosanne]

It gives an idea of who Shunryu Suzuki was. A goofy wise man, in my opinion.
I expected a little more of this tiny book of stories and anecdotes. I think it would've helped if I knew more about the man and his practice before reading this.

[Buck Wilde]

One of my favorites. A zen master wheeling out his best succinct, aphoristic bullying against a bunch of California hippies. The sound of one hand repeatedly clapping, sending patchy beards and white-kid dreadlocks swinging in all directions.

[Mati]

The short stories which brings one closer to satori.

[Stephanie]

Hilarious! I wish I could have met Shunryu Suzuki in person. He seems absolutely adorable!

[nirvana]

this came to me at the right time. go read it x

[Jane Nash]

This is both hilarious and poignant. Should be called Modern Koans. I love this book. Easy read, plenty to think about.

[Charles Sisson]

Reading this feels like your having tea with the author and he's telling you happy memories of being with Suzuki Roshi.

[Chris Scott]

A lovely collection of short and meaningful anecdotes about a remarkable teacher. Best read a few at a time over a span of a couple weeks.

[Malik Salam]

Delightful, snappy, short.

[Erin Schlueter]

Very quick read. Not what I expected. It's a series of short anecdotes/memories of Shunryu Suzuki.

[Matt Coltharp]

Great teachings, love this format.

[Daniel Silva]

Amazing sources of wisdom and hope

[✩☽]

"You may leave, of course, but there's no place to go."

missed my calling in life as a zen monk.

[Carlos Filipe Bernardino]

A book that seems to play with the reader. A set of phrases collected by the editor, but that brings us nothing as an introduction to Zen.

[Ben Ingraham]

That boy funny

[Cristina]

I deeply appreciate some of Suzuki Roshi's teaching; Others, I deeply don't understand.

[Ioana]

Delicious!

[Eva]

Is Zen Buddhism just trolling?
I had great fun reading this book, and being read this book.
I don't understand Zen Buddhism, 90% of the time, but I enjoy it nevertheless.

[Mckinley]

Great quotes nicely assembled.