There is no way to happiness - happiness is the way.

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.

Zazen is not step-by-step meditation. Rather it is simply the easy and pleasant practice of a Buddha, the realization of the Buddha's Wisdom.

Peace in oneself, peace in the world.

When dharma fills your body and mind, you realize that something is missing.

The signs of practice are not in extraordinary experiences but in extraordinary awareness of ordinary experiences.

The mind itself is the maker of all happiness and misery; yet beings do not understand this and blame external conditions.

Every being has the potential of becoming a Buddha. Our true nature is Buddha nature.

If you want to climb a mountain, begin at the top.

If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will have complete peace.

Those who grasp at things as truly existent are like someone trying to catch the reflection of the moon in water.

A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise.

The role of Zen is neither to stand above life nor to run away from it, but to face it with a spirit of determination.

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.

The true understanding is that the practice itself is enlightenment.

Happiness is a skill that can be developed like playing an instrument or learning to read.

Love is the wish that others be happy, and compassion is the wish that they be free from suffering.

To see directly is to be free of hope and fear. Hope and fear are like a cloud before the sun.

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.

Those who understand interdependent origination understand suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.

Don't think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. If you do think this way, then quickly change your thinking.

Face your own anger and you will be free from anger. Face your own fears and you will be free from fear.

Enlightenment is not about becoming something special, but about realizing what we already are.

Every time we become aware of a thought, as opposed to being lost in a thought, we experience that opening of the mind.

External phenomena are like a dream, whatever appears is not real. Recognize the nature of dream-like phenomena to be dream-like.

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.

When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

When you love someone, you have to have trust and confidence. Love without trust is not yet love.

The nature of all things is like a magical illusion, a mirage, a dream, a reflection of the moon in water.

The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

Compassion is not mere sentiment but a powerful force that can transform both ourselves and others.

The one who grasps at existence suffers in samsara, while the one who grasps at non-existence will find no liberation.