It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.

The most important thing in life is to know death is coming and to prepare for it.

The path is not about moving from one place to another. It's about recognizing where we already are.

The supreme path is not to fabricate anything. The supreme meditation is not to be distracted.

The development of wisdom does not occur in isolation but requires the cultivation of the entire Noble Eightfold Path.

As surely as there is a voyage away, there is a journey home.

Meditation is not an escape from life but a way to fully engage with life.

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

Karma is not fate but the law of moral causation, showing us that we are the architects of our own destiny.

True peace comes not from controlling the world, but from letting go of control.

The practice of mindfulness leads naturally to concentration. Concentration leads naturally to wisdom.

When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.

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.

Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.

The best way to solve a problem is to help someone else solve their problem.

When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.

Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past could have been any different.

The moment you note a thought, it disappears. The noting mind keeps the hindrances away.

Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, but recognizing that we are not our thoughts.

Panic, anxiety, and stress are not obstacles to the practice. They are the path to wisdom and compassion.

When mindfulness and concentration are strong, insight into the three characteristics naturally unfolds.

The way to change others' minds is with affection, and not anger.

The Buddha's teaching is a teaching of self-reliance, of being one's own master, one's own refuge.

If you want to understand suffering, you must look into the situation at hand. The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must be settled right there.

Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.

You are the master of your own mind. You can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

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

The measure of success in spiritual life is how peaceful you are.

When we rest in awareness, we discover a peace that is always present, regardless of circumstances.

When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways - either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.

Wisdom arises when you see the true characteristics of phenomena through direct experience.

Concentration and insight are like two wings of a bird: both are necessary for the flight to liberation.

The past is gone, the future is not yet here. Live in the present moment with awareness.

When we recognize that our thoughts are just thoughts, we can choose whether or not to follow them.

The idea of Zen is to catch life as it flows. There is nothing extraordinary or mysterious about Zen. I raise my hand; I take a book from the other side of the desk; I hear the boys playing ball outside my window; I see the clouds blown away beyond the neighboring wood: all these I do in Zen.

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

The practice of ethics is not about following rules but about developing inner purity and freedom.

Compassion is not just about being kind to others. It's about being kind to ourselves as well.

Wisdom is not something we have to strive to acquire. Rather, wisdom arises naturally as we open our hearts to the truth of what is.

The practice of mindfulness is the practice of being alive in the present moment.

The truth of Zen is the truth of life, and life means to live, to move, to act, not merely to reflect.

The movement of love is what creates the beauty in our lives.

Observe the reality as it is, not as you wish it to be.

Every moment is a fresh beginning. Every breath is a new chance.

Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.

Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.

The purpose of Buddhist practice is not to become a Buddhist but to awaken to the nature of reality.

The highest truth cannot be taught except through the conventional truth.

The way to change the world is to change your own mind.

The real secret of the arts: always be a beginner.

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

Metta (loving-kindness) becomes truly effective only when it arises from a peaceful mind, a pure mind, a balanced mind.

The practice of patience guards us against losing our presence of mind.

Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.

The highest mantra is to be without deception. The highest medicine is to have few desires. The highest meditation is not to be attached.

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

The true purpose of Zen is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.

Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don't try to figure anything out. Don't try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.

True happiness is not found through the multiplication of desires but through their simplification.

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.