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.
BODHIDHARMAUnless you see your nature, all this talk about cause & effect is nonsense. Buddhas don’t practice nonsense.
BODHIDHARMATo see nothing is to perceive the Way, and to understand nothing is to know the Dharma, because seeing is neither seeing nor not seeing, and because understanding is neither understanding nor not understanding.
BODHIDHARMAThe Way is basically perfect. It doesn’t require perfecting. The Way has no form or sound. It’s subtle and hard to perceive. It’s like when you drink water: you know how hot or cold it is, but you can’t tell others.
BODHIDHARMAWhen you don’t understand, you depend on reality. When you do understand, reality depends on you.
BODHIDHARMAThe mind is the root from which all things grow. If you can understand the mind, everything else is included.
BODHIDHARMAThe Buddha is your real body, your original mind.
BODHIDHARMAThe ultimate Truth is beyond words. Doctrines are words. They’re not the Way.
BODHIDHARMAThe mind is the Buddha, and the Buddha is the mind.
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.
BODHIDHARMAIf you see your nature, you don’t need to read sutras or invoke buddhas. Erudition and knowledge are not only useless but also cloud your awareness. Doctrines are only for pointing to the mind. Once you see your mind, why pay attention to doctrines?
BODHIDHARMAThe ignorant mind, with its infinite afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger, and delusion.
BODHIDHARMATo give up yourself without regret is the greatest charity.
BODHIDHARMATo find a Buddha all you have to do is see your nature.
BODHIDHARMAAs mortals, we’re ruled by conditions, not by ourselves.
BODHIDHARMANot engaging in ignorance is wisdom.
BODHIDHARMA