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

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

The true understanding is that the practice itself is enlightenment.

When you are you, Zen is Zen. Big mind is just big mind.

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

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

To live is enough.

Moment after moment, completely devote yourself to listening to your inner voice.

The awareness that you are here, right now, is the ultimate fact.

The most important things in our practice are our physical posture and our way of breathing.

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

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

As long as you seek for something, you will get the shadow of reality and not reality itself.

Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure.

Wherever you are, you are one with the clouds and one with the sun and the stars you see. You are one with everything. That is more true than I can say, and more true than you can hear.

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.

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.

What we call "I" is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale.

The best way to control people is to encourage them to be mischievous. Then they will be in control in a wider sense.

Treat every moment as your last. It is not preparation for something else.