Silence is so much more productive of wisdom and clarity than thinking.

The nature of everything is illusory and ephemeral, those with dualistic perception regard suffering as happiness, like they who lick the honey from a razor's edge.

To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is.

The only thing that we truly have control over is our attitude toward experience.

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

Peace and negativity cannot coexist just as light and darkness cannot coexist.

Enlightenment is not a state of perfection but of authenticity.

Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance, maybe all of it.

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

Understanding means throwing away your knowledge.

Sensations are not your enemy. They are your teacher. Through observing them, you understand the truth of existence.

The dharma is not outside of you. Looking for it elsewhere is like placing a Buddha on your head while searching for him everywhere else.

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

Only when you can be extremely pliable and soft can you be extremely hard and strong.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

The restraint of the senses is not a matter of suppression but of wise attention to our experience.

The more we understand impermanence, the more we understand that we can't hold on to anything.

We can learn the art of fierce compassion - redefining strength, deconstructing isolation and renewing a sense of community, practicing letting go of rigid us-vs.-them thinking.

We don't set out to save the world; we set out to wonder how other people are doing and to reflect on how our actions affect other people's hearts.

The ultimate revolution is the spiritual revolution, where we learn to see reality as it truly is.

It is never too late to turn on the light.

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

The sign of wisdom is constant joy.

Life is glorious, but life is also wretched. It is both. Appreciating the gloriousness inspires us, encourages us, cheers us up, gives us a bigger perspective, energizes us. We feel connected. But if that's all that's happening, we get arrogant and start to look down on others, and there is a sense of making ourselves a big deal and being really serious about it, wanting it to be like that forever. The gloriousness becomes tinged by craving and addiction. On the other hand, wretchedness--life's painful aspect--softens us up considerably. Knowing pain is a very important ingredient of being there for another person.

The ocean does not reject any water; therefore it is great. The mountain does not select its stones; therefore it is great.

When we see the nature of the mind, we see that we are not our thoughts.

The Buddha's teaching is not about belief but about investigation, not about accepting but about examining.

Only one book is worth reading: the heart.

The great gift of meditation is that it returns us to the simplicity of our own being.

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

True happiness is born of letting go of what is unnecessary.

Silence is sometimes the best answer.

The true person is not anyone in particular. But like the deep blue color of the limitless sky, it is everyone, everywhere in the world.

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

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

When the heart is still, it can be kind. When the mind is still, it can see clearly.

The essence of Buddhist practice is to reduce our selfishness and to work for the benefit of others.

Compassion is not mere sentiment but a powerful force that can transform both ourselves and others.

A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.

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

Change is the nature of every phenomenon. Accept this truth and you will live a happy life.

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

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.

Happiness is not about getting what you want, but wanting what you've got.

Be happy at the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.

Don't try to change the world. First, change yourself.

Happiness is a skill that can be developed like playing an instrument or learning to read.

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

The path to liberation is through understanding the true nature of mind and matter through direct observation.

The more a thing tends to be permanent, the more it tends to be lifeless.

If you want to know the past, look at the present. If you want to know the future, look at the present.

Every thought, every word, and every action leaves an imprint on our mind.

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.

When one sees with wisdom that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, one is liberated from suffering.

Mindfulness is not just bare attention but wise attention that leads to understanding and insight.

The Buddha's teaching is a middle way between all extremes, between eternalism and annihilationism, between self-indulgence and self-torture.

The more precisely you note, the more clearly you understand. The more clearly you understand, the stronger your insight becomes.

Not by hatred is hatred conquered, but by love alone. This is an eternal law.

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.

The defilements of the mind are temporary visitors. Pure awareness is your true home.