Real happiness lies within. It cannot be found in external objects or achievements.

The path of practice moves from faith through understanding to direct realization.

Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves.

Enlightenment is not a state of perfection but of authenticity.

Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.

We should find perfect existence through imperfect existence.

The Noble Eightfold Path is not a path of mere intellectual understanding but a path of practice, of inner transformation.

Awareness is the basis, or what you might call the "support," of the mind. It is steady and unchanging, like the pole to which the flag of ordinary consciousness is attached.

Not knowing how near the truth is, we seek it far away.

The mind is the source of all happiness and the source of all suffering.

The Four Noble Truths are not mere doctrinal propositions but a framework for understanding and transforming our lives.

Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.

When you realize the emptiness of all phenomena, compassion will arise in your heart for all sentient beings who do not understand this truth.

The root of suffering is not in the world outside us but in our own minds.

The lamp of wisdom burns constantly, illuminating the nature of mind.

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

Enlightenment is not the end of change but the end of resistance to change.

Zen is not necessarily against words, but it is well aware of their limitations.

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.

Our basic nature is pure awareness that simply cognizes experience. Everything else is temporary and adventitious.

The root of suffering is attachment.

To live – is that not enough? To love – is that not everything?

If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you are bound to suffer.

The path to enlightenment is not a path at all. It is a realization that where you are is where you have always been.

Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation.

Impermanence, suffering, and non-self are not philosophical concepts but realities to be directly perceived through mindfulness practice.

Through continuous mindfulness practice, the true nature of physical and mental phenomena becomes clear.

The spiritual journey is not about heaven and finally getting to a place that's really swell.

In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

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

There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path.

Enlightenment is not about becoming divine. Instead, it's about becoming more fully human.

Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.

When you recognize that pain and suffering are impermanent, you become free.

Past thoughts are traceless, clear, and empty. Future thoughts are unborn and fresh. The present moment abides naturally and unconstructed.

True freedom is not the absence of commitment but the presence of choice.

The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness.

Each moment of clear seeing is a moment of freedom from the illusion of permanence, satisfaction, and self.

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth.

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

The Buddha and all sentient beings are nothing but expressions of the one mind. There is nothing else.

The dharma wheel turns from the beginning. There is neither excess nor deficiency. The whole universe is moistened with nectar, and the truth is ready to harvest.

The essence of mind is empty like space; yet it contains all things, like a mirror.

All that appears and exists, all of samsara and nirvana, has one ground, two paths, and two results. This is the magical display of awareness and unawareness.

The more we understand our mind, the more we understand the world.

Trees, mountains, and vines all exist in nature according to their own truth. They are born and die following their nature. They remain this way because that's what they are. They don't practice meditation or do anything special.

There is no way to happiness - happiness is the way.

The nature of mind is like a mirror. It is not affected by whatever appears in it, yet it never fails to reflect everything perfectly.

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

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

The ultimate purpose of Buddhism is to serve and benefit humanity.

The path of awakening is not about becoming who you are. Rather it is about unbecoming who you are not.

The mind is intrinsically empty. It's empty of all that we perceive as being intrinsically "me" and "mine."

The Dhamma unfolds in accordance with a definite sequence: faith, virtue, learning, generosity, wisdom, and insight.

The contradiction so puzzling to the ordinary way of thinking comes from the fact that we have to use language to communicate our inner experience, which in its very nature transcends linguistics.

Loving-kindness is not something we need to manufacture. It's a natural expression of our awakened nature.

If you want to know your past life, look into your present condition; if you want to know your future life, look into your present actions.

Real happiness comes from having an unshakable connection to the deep wellspring of peace and happiness that is not dependent on external conditions.

Zen in its essence is the art of seeing into the nature of one's own being, and it points the way from bondage to freedom.