Shunryu Suzuki-roshi was born in Japan in 1904. He grew up to become a respected teacher in the Soto Zen lineage and the abbot of his father’s Buddhist temple. But in 1959, at age fifty-four, he applied for and received a temporary position to minister to the Japanese-American community in San Francisco’s Japan Town. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind is a book of teachings by the late Shunryu Suzuki, a compilation of talks given to his satellite Zen center in Los Altos, Californi.

• Zen Mind Beginner's Mind By Shunryu Suzuki
• Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
• Shunryu Suzuki
• Shunryu Suzuki Books
• Shunryu Suzuki Cause Of Death

Zen Mind Beginner's Mind By Shunryu Suzuki

Shunryu Suzuki was one of the most famous Soto Zen monks of the 20th century. He was the very first Zen Master who gained popularity in the Western world for his teaching of Zen Buddhism outside of Japan.

He established the very first Buddhist monastery in San Francisco called the ‘San Francisco Zen Center.’ He also wrote a book called “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” that became a best-sellers of modern spiritual literature, and is one of the most renowned books on Zen practice.

Shunryu Suzuki Roshi

Shunryu Suzuki’s real name was Toshitaka Suzuki, who was born on May 18th, 1904, in a small village near the Southwest of Tokyo, Japan. His father, Butsumon Sogaku Suzuki, was a Zen priest who served as the head of the abbey of monks.

Suzuki’s family condition was quite miserable, and they would often have had to face difficulties in meeting the common requirements of day to day life. His mother was a divorced woman, having a son and two daughters from his earlier husband. Suzuki grew up with his older stepbrother and two step-sisters.

When Suzuki was 12 years old, he undertook Zen practice and became a disciple of his stepbrother Gyokujun So-on at his father’s earlier temple Zoun-in. Initially, his parents thought that it’s too early to send Suzuki to the temple for teaching, then they allowed him to become the priest.

At the age of 13, he was anointed as a Soto Zen monk and was awarded the Dharma name of Shogaku. Suzuki maintained the teacher-student relationship with his stepbrother and was awarded the Dharma transmission on August 26th, 1926. After that, he got his graduate degree at the age of 30 in Zen, Buddhism, and English major. ((full)) mediadrug download for windows 7l.

Suzuki arrived in San Francisco, California, on May 23rd, 1959, to join the congregation of Soko-Ji from Hodo Tabase Roshi, who was going to retire from his position.

Shunryu Suzuki

Suzuki became Suzuki Roshi and started his morning sittings and practices at Soko-Ji in San Francisco’s expanding counterculture movement. Suzuki Roshi was really fascinated by the response of Western disciples and their enthusiasm to know everything about Zen Buddhism and Zazen. Richard Baker became his closest disciple since his early days of practicing.

Suzuki’s teaching style was unique and effective. One of his students wrote in his book that – “Suzuki Roshi was a very influential teacher. He wants all his students to remain conscious from all the senses and listen to him carefully. There are times when the students may disagree with him, and other times they have to surrender to his beliefs.”

Shunryu Suzuki Books

The class, which is called Sokoji, would often fill with disciples who are enthusiastic about learning about Zen Buddhism, and the presence of a great Zen master like Suzuki was really inspiring for them all. Suzuki asked his disciples to meditate Zazen for about 20 minutes before starting the lecture. He would invite everyone he knows to stop in at Sokoji and try Zazen for a few minutes. After a few months, more and more people would start coming to the Sokoji to sit for Zazen.

Shunryu Suzuki Cause Of Death

Suzuki was a very influential teacher, motivator, and Zen Buddhism philosopher who will always be remembered for his great wisdom and charismatic personality.