The purpose of studying Buddhism is not to study Buddhism, but to study ourselves.

The obstacle is the path.

The view is like a lion - it cannot be led around by anything else. Meditation is like an eagle - it cannot be distracted by anything else. Action is like a madman - it is free from accepting and rejecting.

The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy. This is the goal of Buddhist practice.

Mindfulness is the quality and power of mind that is aware of what's happening—without judgment and without interference.

The Dhamma is not a collection of doctrinal formulas but a path leading to direct insight into the nature of reality.

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

The practice is simply this: keep coming back to your breath during the day. This will give your mind a steadiness and your life a balance.

The spiritual journey begins with the recognition that beneath our surface happiness there lies a deep inner pain.

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

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

Metta is the ability to embrace all parts of ourselves, as well as all parts of the world.

If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything.

You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.

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

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 real secret of the arts: always be a beginner.

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

Rejoicing in ordinary things is not sentimental or trite. It actually takes guts.

The practice of mindfulness transforms the mind from a place of suffering into an instrument of enlightenment.

Time passes unhindered. When we make ourselves better, we make the world better.

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

Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself.

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

The dharma is not in the books. If you want to find the dharma, look in your mind.

As a flower that is lovely and beautiful, but is scentless, even so fruitless is the well-spoken word of one who does not practice it.

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

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

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

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

The way to overcome anger is to be too busy being kind to have time to be angry.

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

As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.

Faith is not a commodity that you either have or don't have - it is an inner quality that unfolds as we learn to trust our own deepest experience.

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

The root of all mind is your own present pure awareness. Rest in that essence without seeking elsewhere.

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

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

The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.

When you let go of trying to control everything, you can relax and enjoy life.

The practice of meditation requires both energy and patience, both effort and relaxation.

Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.

People who study a lot but don't practice are like a ladle in a soup pot. It's in the soup every day, but it doesn't know the taste of the soup.

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

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

The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.

Self-awareness is the key to freedom. The more we understand ourselves, the more we understand how to be free.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible be found in us.

Study the Buddha's teaching which is present in every moment.

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

The challenge in meditation is not to eliminate thinking but to understand the nature of thought itself.

Equanimity is not indifference. It is the balanced state of mind.

When you listen to someone, you should give up all your preconceived ideas and your subjective opinions.

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.

The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes.

When we develop patience, we find that we develop a reserve of calm and tranquility.

The practice of Zen mind is beginner's mind. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.

Ardently do today what must be done. Who knows? Tomorrow, death comes.