Dogen Zenji

If you are unable to find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?

To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.

The valley stream’s rushing sound is the eloquent tongue of Buddha. The mountain’s vibrant colours are nothing but the Buddha’s form.

The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.

Zazen is an activity that is an extension of the universe. Zazen is not the life of an individual, it’s the universe that’s breathing.

One must be deeply aware of the impermanence of the world.

In the end, only three things matter: How much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.

Christ was only crucified once and for a few hours. Think of the hundreds of thousands whom Christ has been crucifying in a quiet way ever since.

Not only higher forms of life but also many of the smallest insects are social beings who, without any religion, law or education, survive by mutual cooperation based on an innate recognition of their interconnectedness.

Only a spiritual being has awareness.

What is a soul? It’s like electricity – we don’t really know what it is, but it’s a force that can light a room.

Believe in something larger than yourself…get involved in the big ideas of your time.

A follower of the way has neither form nor shape, neither root nor trunk; nor dwelling place; like a fish leaping in the water.

An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.

A myth is a religion in which no one any longer believes.

When the student is ready the teacher will appear.

The essence of Buddhism is, if you can, to help others. If not, then at least refrain from hurting others.

To be calm is the highest achievement of the self.

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

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

Do not learn how to react learn how to respond.