Zen teaches nothing; it merely enables us to wake up and become aware. It does not teach, it points.

The superior person is like water, bringing benefit to all without competing.

Understanding at the intellectual level is not enough. There must be experience at the actual level.

The Buddha taught us to leave alone the things that don't lead to awakening.

The archer ceases to be conscious of himself as the one who is engaged in hitting the bull's-eye which confronts him. This state of unconsciousness is realized only when, completely empty and rid of the self, he becomes one with the perfecting of his technical skill.

The cultivation of loving-kindness is the thread that runs through all Buddhist teachings.

Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.

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

Our practice cannot be perfect, but without being discouraged by this, we should continue it. This is the secret of practice.

In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived, how well we have loved, how well we have learned to let go.

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.

Every step on the path must be with the understanding of anicca - impermanence. This is the essence of the teaching.

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

There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind.

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

Right View is not just a matter of intellectual understanding but of seeing things as they really are.

If you want to climb a mountain, begin at the top.

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

In meditation, we're not trying to get rid of thoughts but to recognize their true nature.

In meditation, we are continuously discovering who and what we are.

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

Buddhist practice is not to eliminate life's problems but to grow with them patiently and with compassion.

Meditation is like catching a fish. If you try to catch it quickly, you'll miss it. If you have patience and know how to wait, the fish will come.

Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.

Start from where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

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

Liberation is found in the practice, not in the theory.

Concentration develops naturally through continuous noting. Don't try to force concentration to arise.

Every sensation shares the same characteristic - arising, passing. Arising, passing. Learn to observe objectively.

The mind is like a wild monkey, jumping here and there. But through meditation, we learn to see whatever arises in our mind with more spaciousness and clarity.

The practice is like peeling an onion. Layer after layer of delusion is removed through continuous mindfulness.

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

Kindness is the solution to all of life's problems.

A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals a secret of hidden treasure.

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.

Equanimity is not indifference. It is the balanced mind that sees things clearly without reaction.

The more we witness our emotional reactions and understand how they work, the easier it is to refrain.

The technique of self-observation is the technique of observing the reality about oneself at the experiential level.

When you generate negativity, you are the first victim of your negativity.

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.

The mind has first to be attuned to the Unconscious.

Just know what is happening in your mind - not happy or sad about it, not attached. If you suffer, see it, know it, be empty.

The path to liberation requires both individual effort and the support of the spiritual community.

The truth of suffering is not to be feared but to be understood through direct observation.

Genuine happiness comes from having developed basic human qualities, such as attention, emotional balance, and generosity.

The willingness to empty ourselves and then seek our true nature is an expression of great and courageous love.

The purpose of meditation is not to create a mental vacuum but to come to know one's own mind.

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.

Generosity generates its own enthusiasm. We don't have to force ourselves to be generous; we just need to start.

The practice of Buddhism is fundamentally a practice of expanding our happiness and diminishing our suffering.

The teaching is simple: act with kindness and compassion. If you cannot do this, at least try not to harm others.

Compassion is not something we develop. It arises naturally as we see the truth of what is.

If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will have complete peace.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

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

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

Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.