The rising and falling of the abdomen is not the main object. The main object is to develop mindfulness, concentration, and insight.

Those who grasp at things as truly existent are like someone trying to catch the reflection of the moon in water.

Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.

The key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment, fear and suspicion.

The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.

The law of nature is the law of cause and effect. As you sow, so shall you reap.

Work diligently. Diligently. Work patiently and persistently. Patiently and persistently. And you're bound to be successful. Bound to be successful.

Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.

Don't expect or desire anything. Just keep noting whatever arises in the present moment.

The practitioner and practice are like fire and wood. The more you practice, the more you burn.

The greatest achievement is selflessness. The greatest worth is self-mastery.

External seeking only leads to exhaustion. When you imitate others, you lose your own authenticity.

When the iron bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the face of the earth.

Emptiness which is conceptually liable to be mistaken for sheer nothingness is in fact the reservoir of infinite possibilities.

Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.

The precious pot containing my riches becomes my teacher in the very moment it breaks.

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.

Everybody has the light of Buddha within, but they don't look for it.

The more we understand impermanence, the more we appreciate each moment of our lives.

Whatever we do, we should see ourselves. Reading books doesn't show us our defilements. Watch yourself. Watch your mind.

The entire path is a path of self-responsibility. Nobody else can walk it for you.

To what shall I compare this life? It is like a boat that left at dawn, leaving no trace.

Intrinsically all living beings are Buddhas, just as ice and water are of the same substance.

To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is.

The true mark of a spiritual practitioner is that your own behavior is better, not that you can criticize others well.

The everyday practice is simply to develop complete acceptance and openness to all situations and emotions.

The yogi's joy is in the solitude of mountains, where all distractions naturally dissolve into emptiness.

The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.

Forgiveness is giving up all hope for a better past.

The silence between the notes is as important as the notes themselves.

If you want to know the past, look at the present. If you want to know the future, look at the present.

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.

When you are you, Zen is Zen. Big mind is just big mind.