Zen Quotes and Proverbs
Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism. It asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, contemplation, and intuition, rather than through faith and devotion. It is practiced mainly in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
Zen teaches that the potential to achieve enlightenment is inherent in everyone, and is best awakened by breaking through the boundaries of mundane logical thought.
Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.
........Shunryu Suzuki
A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it
...........Dogen Zenji
Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes, it obstructs your vision.
..........Hsi-Tang
To set up what you like against what you dislike - this is the disease of the mind.
.........Seng-T'San
The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.
..........Dogen
If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?
Dogen Zenji
From the withered tree, a flower blooms.
..........Zen Proverb
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.
..............Zen Proverb
We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
.............Lao Tzu
Water which is too pure has no fish.
.............Ts'ai Ken T'An
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
.............Tao Te Ching
You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.
.............Buddha
Everything the same; everything distinct.
.............Zen Proverb
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.
.............Chinese Proverb
To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
.............Chinese Proverb
To be a man of knowledge one needs to be light and fluid.
.............Yaqui Mystic
Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind.
.............Zen Proverb
Move and the way will open.
.............Zen Proverb
When walking, walk. When eating, eat.
.............Zen Proverb
Nothing on earth can overcome an absolutely nonresistant person.
.............Zen Proverb
Sitting peacefully doing nothing Spring comes and the grass grows all by itself.
.............Zen Proverb
Do not permit the events of your daily life to bind you, but never withdraw yourself from them.
.............Zen Proverb
The mind should be as a mirror.
.............Zen Proverb
To follow the path, look to the master, follow the master, walk with the master, see through the master, become the master.
.............Zen Saying
