Student B: Roshi, I found in the past three months at Tassajara that I've uncovered tremendous anger in myself from time to time.

SR: Uh-huh.

Student B: With no fixed object, just great force of anger.

SR: Uh-huh.

Student B: Can you tell me what the root of that is and how to deal with it-- that anger?

SR: Maybe your confidence is not strong enough. That is why you become angry. You see, you have -- I think most people, you know, try to solve psychological -- special conditions by psychology, you know, by knowing why and by knowing how to treat it, like a mother treats her children. But our way is a little bit different from that. For instance, I am very impatient, you know. But sometimes I am a most patient person. Why is it? [Laughs] Same person, you know, sometimes becomes very patient, and sometimes very impatient.

When I think I should not be angry, I am never angry. [Laughs.] That is possible, and that will not create any trouble -- psychological trouble for you. If you have a kind of wisdom, you know, you do not -- I'm not trying to control my anger. But I know I shouldn't be angry. My wisdom tell me, 'You shouldn't be angry for one year or two years [laughs].' And it may be foolish to be angry. Then I won't be angry. And when you say it is difficult to control, to me it sounds like you -- you want some help, you know [laughs] -- help of psychology or psychiatrist or teacher. But they will not help you. Buddhism will not help you [laughs]. You must help yourself.

Hai. [calling for next question]

DC note: Suzuki referred at times to anger as the biggest problem he had to deal with, especially when he was younger.

From 69-07-28 . For more go to this entry on the Suzuki lecture archive found on Shunryu Suzuki dot com. - Edited a little by DC, posted 12-29-14