Here are 20 quotes from Zen Buddhism:
1. “The mind is everything; what you think you become.” – Buddha
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes the power of the mind and our thoughts. It suggests that our thoughts shape who we are and what we become, so it’s important to be mindful of the thoughts we have.
2. “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha
– Meaning: This quote encourages self-compassion and self-love. It reminds us that we are worthy of love and care, just like anyone else.
3. “The greatest mystery is oneself.” – Zen Proverb
– Meaning: This quote points out that the human mind and consciousness are the most profound mystery. It suggests that understanding oneself is the key to understanding the world.
4. “The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.” – Robert M. Pirsig
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes that true understanding and enlightenment cannot be found outside of ourselves but rather comes from within.
5. “The true miracle is not walking on water or walking in air, but simply walking on this earth.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
– Meaning: This quote reminds us to appreciate the simple things in life and to be grateful for the opportunity to be alive and experience the world’s beauty.
6. “The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.” – Dogen
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and how everything reflects everything else.
7. “If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.” – Zen Proverb
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes that understanding the true nature of things doesn’t change the nature of things but changes how we see and relate to them.
8. “The finger pointing to the moon is not the moon.” – Zen Proverb
– Meaning: This quote suggests that the teachings of Zen Buddhism should not be taken as the final truth but as a pointer to the truth.
9. “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
– Meaning: This quote encourages us to learn to work with the challenges and difficulties of life rather than trying to stop them.
10. “The obstacle is the path.” – Zen Proverb
– Meaning: This quote suggests that challenges and difficulties are opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
11. “The truth is not something outside to be discovered, it is something inside to be realized.” – Zen Proverb
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes that true understanding and wisdom come from within rather than from external sources.
12. “The secret of Zen is just two words: Not always so.” – Shunryu Suzuki
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and flexible and not getting too attached to our beliefs and opinions.
13. “Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.” – Alan Watts
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes that true spirituality is about being present and mindful in everyday activities rather than just thinking about spiritual concepts.
14. “Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.” – Shunryu Suzuki
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes that true understanding and enlightenment can be found in life’s ordinary and routine aspects, not just in extraordinary experiences.
15. “Zen is not some kind of ability one is born with. Zen is an ability to be developed.” – Taizan Maezumi
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes that anyone can develop the ability to understand and practice Zen Buddhism; it’s not a exclusive club.
16. “The Zen master is the one who, having climbed the mountain, turns around and helps pull up the rest of us.” – Bernie Glassman
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes the importance of compassion and helping others in the Zen Buddhist path.
17. “Zen is a liberation from time. For if we open our eyes and see clearly, it becomes obvious that there is no other time than this instant, and that the past and the future are abstractions without any concrete reality.” – Alan Watts
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and not getting caught up in the past or future. Zen Buddhism emphasizes the importance of being present and aware of the present moment to understand the true nature of things.
18. “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” – Shunryu Suzuki
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind and being open to new ideas and perspectives. It suggests that as we become more experienced and knowledgeable, we can become too attached to our beliefs and miss out on new opportunities.
19. “Zen is not a religion. It is a way of life, a way of walking on this earth.” – Taizan Maezumi
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes that Zen Buddhism is not just a set of beliefs or practices but a way of living and interacting with the world. It suggests that Zen Buddhism is a way of life that can be integrated into all aspects of one’s life.
20. “Zen is just a label. The most important thing is your heart, your mind.” – Shunryu Suzuki
– Meaning: This quote emphasizes that the true goal of Zen Buddhism is to understand and develop one’s own mind and heart rather than being focused on a specific label or tradition. It suggests that the most important thing is to be true to yourself and develop your own understanding of the world.
*Note: Zen Buddhism is a complex and diverse tradition; these quotes are just a small representation of its teachings. Therefore, it’s important to study Zen Buddhism under the guidance of a teacher or by reading authentic texts to understand its principles and practices.
