When you understand one thing through and through, you understand everything. When you try to understand everything, you will not understand anything.

If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?

The grass is greener where you water it.

Sleep is the best meditation.

The true path is not difficult; just avoid picking and choosing.

The essence of meditation is not something complicated or exotic. It is simply taking a break from our habitual patterns.

The basic idea of Zen is to come in touch with the inner workings of our being, and to do this in the most direct way possible, without resorting to anything external or superadded.

The mind is the forerunner of all things. Our present life is the result of our past thoughts, and our future life will be the result of our present thoughts.

Sankharas are the seeds of consciousness that manifest as sensations. By observing sensations equanimously, we stop creating new sankharas.

When one sees with wisdom that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, one is liberated from suffering.

The affairs of the world will go on forever. Do not delay the practice of meditation.

What you are is what you have been. What you'll be is what you do now.

Even if you speak of 'understanding,' this understanding is not a matter of knowledge. It is what fills the entire body and mind.

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer evil with good. Conquer stinginess with giving. Conquer deceit with truth.

The one who grasps at existence suffers in samsara, while the one who grasps at non-existence will find no liberation.

In the spring, hundreds of flowers; in autumn, a harvest moon; in the summer, a refreshing breeze; in winter, snow will accompany you. If useless things do not hang in your mind, any season is a good season for you.

The root of happiness is altruism — the wish to be of service to others.

The trouble is, you think you have time.

Mindfulness is not just bare attention but wise attention that leads to understanding and insight.

Don't be a bodhisatta; don't be an arahant; don't be anything at all. Being something makes you suffer.

In my youth I studied, in my prime I practiced, now all my doubts are cleared.

Where there is great doubt, there is great awakening; small doubt, small awakening; no doubt, no awakening.

Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment.

The nature of mind is not something we need to achieve - it's something we need to recognize.

Each of you is perfect the way you are... and you can use a little improvement.

The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves.

Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope - a slight change, and all patterns alter.

What we call "I" is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale.

In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.

The goal of Buddhist practice is not to escape from the world but to transform our relationship with it.

Live in joy, in love, even among those who hate. Live in joy, in health, even among the afflicted. Live in joy, in peace, even among the troubled. Look within, be still.

When we see the nature of the mind, we see that we are not our thoughts.

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.