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

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.

For whom emptiness is possible, everything is possible. For whom emptiness is not possible, nothing is possible.

Happiness is not the pursuit of an endless succession of experiences but an attitude toward life.

The more you understand, the more you love; the more you love, the more you understand.

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

You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.

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

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

The stages of insight unfold naturally when mindfulness is continuous. There is no need to desire them or try to make them happen.

The path of insight is a path of discovery, not a path of creation. We are discovering what is already there.

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.

The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you are out there.

The difference between being caught in thoughts and being mindful of thoughts is like the difference between being in a movie and watching a movie.

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

Mindfulness is the key to the present moment. Without it we cannot see the world clearly, and we cannot make the wisest choices in our lives.

Wisdom is not about accumulating knowledge, but about seeing through all knowledge.

Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.

The secret of happiness lies not in getting what we want, but in learning to want what we already have.

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

Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.

Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.

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

The Buddha's teachings are not a religion, but a science of mind.

Looking for peace is like looking for a turtle with a mustache: you won't be able to find it. But when your heart is ready, peace will come looking for you.

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

Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.

Compassion is the radicalism of our time.

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

The Buddha never taught a sectarian religion; he taught Dhamma - the way to liberation - which is universal.

True peace is found not in the absence of experience but in the clear seeing of all experience.

My father is the intrinsic awareness, Samantabhadra. My mother is the ultimate sphere of reality, Samantabhadri. I belong to the caste of non-duality of these two.

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

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

The nature of all things is like a magical illusion, a mirage, a dream, a reflection of the moon in water.

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

Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.

Compassion is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

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

Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.

Though the view should be as vast as the sky, keep your conduct as fine as barley flour.

The Buddha's path is not about becoming somebody different but about becoming more and more who you really are.

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.

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

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

External phenomena are like a dream, whatever appears is not real. Recognize the nature of dream-like phenomena to be dream-like.

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

When we attempt to exercise power or control over someone else, we cannot avoid giving that person the very same power or control over us.

The mind itself is the maker of all happiness and misery; yet beings do not understand this and blame external conditions.

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

If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you are bound to suffer.

Your own treasure house contains everything you need; why search outside?

Mindfulness helps us get better at seeing the difference between what's happening and the stories we tell ourselves about what's happening.

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

It is never too late to turn on the light.

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.

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

Those who understand interdependent origination understand suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.

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

If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.