“In doing zazen it is desirable to have a quiet room. You should be temperate in eating and drinking, forsaking all delusive relationships. Setting everything aside, think of neither good nor evil, right nor wrong. Thus having stopped the various functions of your mind, five up even the idea of becoming a Buddha.”

That the self advances and confirms the ten thousand things is called delusion; that the ten thousand things advance and confirm the self is called enlightenment.

To escape from the world means that one’s mind is not concerned with the opinions of the world.

When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original selves.

Do not miss the opportunity of offering even a single drop into the ocean of merit or a grain atop the mountain of the roots of beneficial activity.

Be moderate in eating and drinking. Mindful of the passing of time, engage yourself in zazen as though saving your head from fire.

If you do not get it from yourself, where will you go for it?

Students, when you want to say something, think about it three times before you say it. Speak only if your words will benefit yourselves and others. Do not speak if it brings no benefit.

When you walk in the mist, you get wet.

Learn the backward step that turns your light inward to illuminate your self. Body and mind of themselves will drop away, and your original face will be manifest.

When you paint Spring, do not paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots – just paint Spring.

Just practice good, do good for others, without thinking of making yourself known so that you may gain reward. Really bring benefit to others, gaining nothing for yourself. This is the primary requisite for breaking free of attachments to the Self.

In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light.

To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by the ten thousand things.

You should study not only that you become a mother when your child is born, but also that you become a child.

Those who seek the easy way do not seek the true way.

Do not be amazed by the true dragon.