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.

Those who cling to perceptions and views wander the world offending people.

The lamp of wisdom burns constantly, illuminating the nature of mind.

Whatever is dependently co-arisen, that is explained to be emptiness. That, being a dependent designation, is itself the middle way.

Every time we become aware of a thought, as opposed to being lost in a thought, we experience that opening of the mind.

This very body is the Buddha. And this very earth the lotus paradise.

When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.

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

The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities.

Smile, breathe, and go slowly.

The mind is intrinsically empty. It's empty of all that we perceive as being intrinsically "me" and "mine."

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

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

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.

Mindfulness is the key to transformation. It enables us to see our experience as it really is, free from distortion and bias.

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

When mindfulness becomes continuous, the distinction between the observer and the observed begins to break down.

The Buddha's teaching is not a philosophy or a religion; it is a method of practice.

To see directly is to be free of hope and fear. Hope and fear are like a cloud before the sun.

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

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

Our emotions are like waves in the ocean. We can't stop the waves, but we can learn to surf.

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

If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?

Whatever is happening is the path to enlightenment.

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few.

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

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

A pure mind is always full of love - real love for all others.

The highest mantra is to be without deception. The highest medicine is to have few desires. The highest meditation is not to be attached.

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

What you are is what you have been. What you'll be is what you do now.