No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.

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

The role of Zen is neither to stand above life nor to run away from it, but to face it with a spirit of determination.

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

Compassion is a verb.

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

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.

Zen proposes its solution by directly appealing to facts of personal experience and not to book-knowledge.

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

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.

Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.

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

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.

When you note pain, you should not dwell on the thought, "I feel pain." Simply recognize the presence of pain.

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.

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

Each moment of noting is a moment of purification, a moment of cultivating the path.

When you note effectively, there is no time for defilements to arise. The mind becomes pure through noting.

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

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

The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person's suffering and bring that person joy.

The cave I live in is empty and so is my mind. I live simply and at ease.

Instead of having a deep understanding of the teaching, we need a strong confidence in our teaching, which says that originally we have Buddha nature.

Don't be a bodhisatta; don't be an arahant; don't be anything at all. Being something makes you suffer.

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

Devotion is the head of meditation, as is often said. When you are inspired by some spiritual teacher, you can have a very strong connection with that person, and thereby the blessings can enter.

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

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

The more you give, the more you have. That's the economics of kindness.

Love is not a feeling. It's a capability.

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

When you practice zazen you should not try to attain anything. You should just sit in the complete calmness of your mind and not rely on anything.

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

The trick is to keep exploring and not bail out, even when we find out that something is not what we thought.

At the bottom of great doubt lies great awakening. If you doubt fully, you will awaken fully.

The goal of meditation is not to reach some highest place, but to remain in the place where you already are.

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

Each breath is a new beginning, a fresh opportunity to awaken.

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

Mindfulness is being aware of what's going on, not trying to control what's going on.

It is never too late to turn on the light.

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

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

The obstacle is the path.

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

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

The essence of Buddhist practice is to bring everything onto the path. Every experience becomes an opportunity for awakening.

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

When walking, just walk. When sitting, just sit. Above all, don't wobble.

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

The heart of the path is quite simple. No need for long explanations. Give up clinging to love and hate, just rest with things as they are.

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

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

The more clearly you see the arising and passing of phenomena, the less you will be attached to them.

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

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

Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.

The most profound meditation is to think nothing at all.

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

Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks.