10 quotes about Zen

The mind that does not understand is the Buddha. There is no other.

Ma-Tsu

You cannot describe it or draw it. You cannot praise it enough or perceive it. No place can be found in which to put the Original Face; it will not disappear even when the universe is destroyed.

Mumon

Let go over a cliff, die completely, and then come back to life -- after that you cannot be deceived.

Saying, Zen

Learning Zen is a phenomenon of gold and dung. Before you understand it, it's like gold; after you understand it, it's like dung.

Saying, Zen

In studying the way, realizing it is hard; once you have realized it, preserving it is hard. When you can preserve it, putting it into practice is hard.

Saying, Zen

The ultimate Path is without difficulty. Just avoid picking and choosing.

Seng-Ts'an

No thought, no reflection, no analysis, no cultivation, no intention; let it settle itself.

Tilopa

Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.

Watts, Alan W.

When you pass through, no one can pin you down, no one can call you back.

Ying-An

There are no mundane things outside of Buddhism, and there is no Buddhism outside of mundane things.

Yuan-Wu