If you use your mind to study reality, you won’t understand either your mind or reality. If you study reality without using your mind, you’ll understand both.
BODHIDHARMAIf you use your mind to study reality, you won’t understand either your mind or reality. If you study reality without using your mind, you’ll understand both.
BODHIDHARMAWhoever knows that the mind is a fiction and devoid of anything real knows that his own mind neither exists nor doesn’t exist.
BODHIDHARMATo find a Buddha all you have to do is see your nature.
BODHIDHARMAYou can’t know your real mind as long as you deceive yourself.
BODHIDHARMAIf you use your mind to look for a Buddha, you won’t see the Buddha.
BODHIDHARMABut this mind isn’t somewhere outside the material body of the four elements. Without this mind we can’t move. The body has no awareness. Like a plant or a stone, the body has no nature. So how does it move? It’s the mind that moves.
BODHIDHARMAIf we should be blessed by some great reward, such as fame or fortune, it’s the fruit of a seed planted by us in the past.
BODHIDHARMAThe true Way is sublime. It can’t be expressed in language. Of what use are scriptures? But someone who sees his own nature finds the Way, even if he can’t read a word.
BODHIDHARMANot engaging in ignorance is wisdom.
BODHIDHARMATo go from mortal to Buddha, you have to put an end to karma, nurture your awareness, and accept what life brings.
BODHIDHARMAThe Way is basically perfect. It doesn’t require perfecting.
BODHIDHARMAPeople of this world are deluded. They’re always longing for something, always, in a word, seeking. But the wise wake up. They choose reason over custom. They fix their minds on the sublime and let their bodies change with the seasons.
BODHIDHARMANot thinking about anything is Zen. Once you know this, walking, sitting, or lying down, everything you do is Zen.
BODHIDHARMAAnd the Buddha is the person who’s free: free of plans, free of cares.
BODHIDHARMAThose who remain unmoved by the wind of joy silently follow the Path.
BODHIDHARMAThe mind is always present. You just don’t see it.
BODHIDHARMA