October 29th, 2023
Shunryu Suzuki (1904-1971)
Bowing is a very serious practice.
You should be prepared to bow,
even in your last moment.
Even though it is impossible
to get rid of our self-centered desires,
we have to do it.
Our true nature wants us to.
Sometimes the disciple bows to the master,
sometimes the master bows to the disciple.
A master who cannot bow to his disciple
cannot bow to the Buddha.
Sometimes the master and disciple
bow together to the Buddha.
Sometimes we may bow to cats and dogs.