Zen Buddhism Quotes from Famous Masters

by Fuyu

Zen quotes are timeless and thought-provoking expressions of the wisdom and teachings of Zen Buddhism.

Discover the wisdom of Zen Buddhism through the insightful words of famous Zen Buddhist masters. Immerse yourself in their teachings and allow their profound insights to guide you on your own spiritual journey.

Enjoy this collection of quotes and be inspired by their timeless wisdom.

Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)

Dogen Zenji (1200-1253) was a Japanese Buddhist monk, writer, and philosopher. He is considered one of the greatest Zen masters in history and was the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan. Dogen’s teachings emphasize the importance of practicing Zen in everyday life and finding enlightenment in the present moment.

Dogen Zenji’s Quotes

“To study Buddhism is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things.”
“The way to study the Buddha’s teachings is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.”
“Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken. Although its light is wide and great, the moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide. The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in dewdrops on the grass, or even in one drop of water.”
“The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.”
“When we realize that we are the ocean, we are no longer afraid of the waves.”
“To be in harmony with the universe is the greatest bliss one can experience.”
“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
“When you reach the top of the mountain, keep climbing.”
“To know yourself is to forget yourself.”
“The way of Zen is to be awake and aware, to be mindful of the present moment, and to live in the present moment.”
“When you sit, sit. When you stand, stand. When you walk, walk. Don’t wobble.”
“The true purpose of Zen is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.”
“There is no need to search; achievement leads to nowhere. It makes no difference at all, so just be happy now! Love is the only reality of the world. ”
“The most important point is to accept yourself and stand on your two feet.”
“The only way to know life is to live it.”
“Enlightenment is intimacy with all things.”
“To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else.”
“Practice Zen in daily life. Be fully aware of every moment and every action.”
“All beings by nature are Buddha, as ice by nature is water. Apart from water there is no ice; apart from beings, no Buddha.”
“To seek enlightenment is like seeking a fish in the water. The fish is always swimming in the water, but you can’t see it until you look.”
“In the practice of Zen, there is no goal. The goal is in the practice itself.”
“The mountains and the rivers, the whole earth, all sentient beings, together with ourselves, everything in the universe, are all in a state of complete harmony and perfect unity.”
“We are all one, the same substance, the same energy, the same life force, expressing itself in different ways.”
“The essence of Zen is not to be found in the study of scriptures or in the chanting of sutras, but in the direct experience of one’s own true nature.”
“The best way to forget the past is not to to try to forget it, but to see it in a new light, to see it as a stepping stone to a better future.”

Daigu Ryokan (1758-1831)

Daigu Ryokan was a Japanese Zen master, poet, and calligrapher who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Despite being born into a wealthy family, he chose a life of asceticism and wandering, living in caves and huts and becoming known for his poetic and calligraphic works. He is regarded as one of the greatest Zen poets in Japan’s history.

Daigu Ryokan’s Quotes

“No matter how busy we are, we must not forget to nourish our hearts.”
“The most important practice is to recognize the self-nature of our own mind.”
“The ultimate truth is already within you. You just have to discover it.”
“Realization is not something we attain, it is something we already have.”
“In the midst of chaos, there is always opportunity for growth and transformation.”
“The true path is not about seeking, but rather letting go of what we think we know.”
“Silence is the gateway to the infinite.”
“The mind is like a clear mirror, reflecting everything, but not clinging to anything.”
“We are all connected, like drops in the ocean, each one important to the whole.”
“True wisdom comes from living life, not just reading about it.”
“The path to enlightenment is not a destination, it is a journey that never ends.”
“The universe is a vast and wondrous mystery, and we are all part of it.”
“The more we try to control life, the more it slips through our fingers.”
“The true teacher is not the one who has all the answers, but the one who guides us to find them within ourselves.”
“The present moment is all we have, and it is the most precious thing we can ever possess.”
“Our thoughts and actions shape our reality, and we must be mindful of what we create.”
“The journey to self-realization is the most important journey we will ever take.”
“The only way to find peace is to first find it within ourselves.”
“We are all here to learn, to grow, and to help others on their own journey.”
“The mind is like a garden, and we must tend to it with care and attention.”
“The more we let go of our attachments, the more we become free to live in the present moment.”
“The only true liberation is the liberation of the mind.”
“Our true nature is like a clear sky, and our thoughts and emotions are like clouds that come and go.”
“The purpose of life is not to accumulate wealth or fame, but to find meaning and purpose in our own existence.”
“The greatest journey is the journey inward, to discover who we truly are and our place in the world.”

Kodo Sawaki (1880-1965)

Kodo Sawaki was a prominent Zen master in the Soto tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism. He was known for his unconventional teachings, which emphasized the importance of daily life practice and the integration of Zen into everyday activities. Sawaki’s teachings have had a lasting impact on the practice of Zen both in Japan and around the world.
Read more on Kodo Sawaki

Kodo Sawaki’s Quotes

“The truth is always simple.”
“If you want to know the Buddha, you have to know yourself.”
“To study Buddhism is to study ourselves.”
“Meditation is the ultimate art of doing nothing.”
“Don’t seek enlightenment, just drop your illusions.”
“Zazen is not a way of escaping life, it’s a way of entering it fully.”
“The most important thing is to keep your mind open and receptive.”
“Buddhism is not a religion, it’s a way of life.”
“Meditation is the best medicine for the mind.”
“If you think you’re already enlightened, you’re probably not.”
“The only way to be truly happy is to let go of everything.”
“Don’t take anything too seriously, especially yourself.”
“In Buddhism, the only enemy is ignorance.”
“The true purpose of life is to awaken to our true nature.”
“The more you meditate, the less you need.”
“Buddhism is not about believing in something, it’s about understanding.”
“The purpose of practice is not to become a Buddha, but to embody the Buddha-nature within us.”
“The only way to change the world is to change ourselves.”
“In Buddhism, there is no ultimate answer, only an ultimate question.”
“Meditation is the art of letting go of everything except what’s truly important.”
“The greatest obstacle to enlightenment is thinking we’re already enlightened.”
“In Buddhism, the only way to overcome suffering is to face it directly.”
“The only way to know the truth is to experience it for yourself.”
“Meditation is the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe.”
“The path to enlightenment is a never-ending journey, but it’s the most rewarding one you can take.”

Shunryu Suzuki (1904-1971)

Shunryu Suzuki was a Japanese Zen master who brought Soto Zen Buddhism to America in the 1950s. He established the San Francisco Zen Center, which became one of the most prominent Zen centers in the West. Suzuki’s teachings emphasized the importance of “beginner’s mind” and living in the present moment.
More on Shunryu Suzuki

Shunryu Suzuki’s Quotes

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.”
“The most important point is to accept yourself and stand on your two feet.”
“The true purpose [of Zen] is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.”
“Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.”
“To live in the realm of Buddha nature means to die as a small self and to be reborn as a universal self.”
“When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.”
“To cook rice or wash dishes is not a tedious task, but rather an opportunity to manifest one’s full concentration and mindfulness.”
“Do not think that you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment.”
“In the practice of Zen, there is no room for using effort. When effort is needed, effort will appear. When effortlessness becomes essential, it will assert itself. You will find that which you seek.”
“The most important point is to find out what is the most important thing.”
“In the zazen posture, your mind and body have great power to accept things as they are, whether agreeable or disagreeable.”
“The practice of Zen is forgetting the self in the act of uniting with something.”
“You are perfect just as you are, and you could use a little improvement.”
“We do not exist for the sake of something else. We exist for the sake of ourselves.”
“The most important point is to be yourself.”
“We discover the path by walking it.”
“Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.”
“The only way to control people is to encourage them to be mischievous.”
“To be calm is the highest achievement of the self.”
“In the beginner’s mind there is no thought, ‘I have attained something.’ All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind.”
“We are not limited by our thinking, but we are limited by what we think.”
“In the practice of Zen, we do not seek to find answers, but to let go of our questions.”
“When you sit in zazen, do not think of anything, but just sit in silence, with no intention to gain anything.”
“To study Buddhism is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self.”
“The essence of Zen is the art of seeing into the nature of one’s own being.”

Kosho Uchiyama (1912-1998)

Kosho Uchiyama was a Japanese Zen master and founder of the Antai-ji monastery in Kyoto, Japan. He was a disciple of the famous Zen master Kodo Sawaki and practiced zazen (sitting meditation) as the core of his teachings. Uchiyama’s books, including Opening the Hand of Thought” are widely read and revered in the Zen community.

Koshi Uchiyama’s Quotes

“We cannot control the wind, but we can direct the sail.”
“Zen is the practice of seeing and experiencing things as they are, without delusion or distortion.”
“Meditation is not a means of escape from reality, but a way of facing it directly and finding inner peace.”
“When we are truly present in the moment, we can appreciate the beauty of life and find joy in simple things.”
“We must let go of our attachment to ego and self, and embrace the interconnectedness of all things.”
“Zen practice is not about becoming someone else, but discovering who we really are and living authentically.”
“We must let go of our ideas about how things should be, and accept them as they are, in order to find true happiness.”
“The ultimate goal of Zen is not to escape suffering, but to transform it into wisdom and compassion.”
“The present moment is all there is, and it is the only time in which we can truly live.”
“We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it and use it to shape our future.”
“The mind is like a clear blue sky, and thoughts are like clouds that come and go. Our true nature is the sky, not the clouds.”
“We must cultivate a beginner’s mind, free from preconceptions and open to new possibilities.”
“In Zen, we do not seek enlightenment as a goal to be achieved, but as a natural state of being.”
“Meditation is not about emptying the mind, but about cultivating a clear and focused awareness.”
“We must learn to be fully present in each moment, rather than constantly distracted by our thoughts and emotions.”
“We must learn to accept the impermanence of all things, and find peace in the midst of change.”
“Our true nature is not separate from the world around us, but is intimately connected to it.”
“In Zen, we do not strive to be better than others, but to be our best selves.”
“The key to true happiness is not in accumulating more things, but in finding contentment with what we have.”
“We must learn to let go of our fears and attachments, and trust in the universe to guide us.”
“The practice of Zen is not about escaping the world, but about fully engaging with it and finding meaning in every moment.”
“We must learn to see ourselves and others with compassion and understanding, rather than judgment and criticism.”
“Our thoughts and emotions are like passing clouds in the sky of our mind, constantly changing and evolving.”
“The path of Zen is not a solitary one, but one that we walk with others, in mutual support and encouragement.”
“We must learn to live with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for all that we have been given.”

Taisen Deshimaru (1914-1982)

Taisen Deshimaru was a Japanese Zen master who brought the Soto Zen tradition to Europe. He was a disciple of Kodo Sawaki, a prominent Zen master of the 20th century. Deshimaru established the first Zen temple in France and was a prominent figure in spreading Zen Buddhism to the West. He emphasized the importance of zazen meditation and living a simple, ethical life.
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Taisen Deshimaru’s quotes

“Zen is not a doctrine, not a theory, not a philosophy. It is an experience.”
“The most important thing in Zen is to empty your mind.”
“The best way to control your mind is to not control it at all.”
“To practice Zen is to realize one’s existence in the beauty and clarity of this present moment, rather than letting life slip away in a web of thoughts.”
“The only thing that is truly important is this moment.”
“The universe is a vast and limitless expanse, and we are just a small part of it. But even a small part can make a big difference.”
“The purpose of Zen is to awaken to the true nature of the self and the world.”
“To practice Zen is to be fully present in the moment, to be alive and alert to everything that is happening around you.”
“In Zen, we don’t seek to find answers, we seek to find the question.”
“Zen is not a religion, it’s a way of life.”
“The only true Zen is lived Zen.”
“Zen is not about achieving something, it’s about letting go of everything.”
“The key to happiness is not in getting what you want, but in wanting what you have.”
“When we see things as they are, we can see that they are all perfect just the way they are.”
“Zen is not about becoming a better person, it’s about realizing that there is no such thing as a better person.”
“The goal of Zen is to find peace in the midst of chaos.”
“The true nature of the self is empty, like the sky.”
“We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it.”
“In Zen, we don’t seek to escape from the world, we seek to embrace it fully.”
“To live a Zen life is to live a life of simplicity and clarity.”
“The path to enlightenment is not a path of becoming, it’s a path of letting go.”
“In Zen, there is no separation between the self and the universe.”
“The present moment is the only moment that truly exists.”
“In Zen, there is no such thing as good or bad, right or wrong. There is only what is.”
“The true nature of the self is the same as the true nature of the universe.”

Gudo Nishijima (1919-2014)

Gudo Nishijima was a Japanese Zen master and scholar who played a significant role in the development and dissemination of Zen Buddhism in the Western world. He was a student of the famous Zen master, Kodo Sawaki, and later went on to establish his own Zen organization, the Dogen Sangha. Nishijima is widely recognized for his scholarly and accessible approach to teaching Zen, and for his contributions to the translation and interpretation of the Buddhist canon.
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Gogo Nishijima’s Quotes

“The true purpose of life is to awaken to the reality of the present moment.”
“We must live our lives with the intention of becoming a source of inspiration and encouragement for others.”
“The mind is like a wild horse that needs to be tamed through meditation and mindfulness.”
“We are all interconnected and part of a greater whole. Our actions and thoughts affect not only ourselves but also those around us.”
“The only way to truly understand something is to experience it for yourself.”
“Happiness is not something that can be pursued or attained. It is a byproduct of living a meaningful and fulfilling life.”
“The key to a fulfilling life is to find and pursue your unique purpose and calling.”
“The most important thing in life is to cultivate a strong and resilient mind.”
“The purpose of Zen practice is not to achieve enlightenment, but to live in a state of continuous awakening.”
“We must learn to let go of our attachments and desires in order to find true freedom and happiness.”
“The ultimate goal of Zen is to become a fully integrated and awakened human being.”
“The present moment is all we have. The past is gone, and the future is uncertain.”
“The true meaning of life can only be discovered through introspection and self-reflection.”
“True happiness comes from within and cannot be found in external circumstances or material possessions.”
“Our thoughts and emotions are like clouds in the sky. They come and go, but the sky remains unchanged.”
“The practice of Zen is not about escaping from the world, but about fully engaging with it and finding meaning in every moment.”
“The most important thing in life is to be true to yourself and follow your own path.”
“Meditation is a way to quiet the mind and connect with the present moment.”
“The practice of Zen is not about perfection, but about progress and continual improvement.”
“The true nature of reality can only be understood through direct experience.”
“The most powerful force in the universe is love.”
“We must learn to embrace and accept all aspects of ourselves, including our flaws and imperfections.”
“The purpose of life is to learn and grow, both as individuals and as a society.”
“The ultimate goal of Zen is to become a compassionate and empathetic human being.”
“The most important thing in life is to live with integrity and follow your own moral compass.”

Shohaku Okumura (born 1948)

Shohaku Okumura is a Japanese Zen priest and founder of the Sanshin Zen Community, based in Bloomington, Indiana. He is a recognized authority on the teachings of Dogen Zenji, the founder of the Soto school of Zen, and has published numerous books and articles on the subject.

Shohaku Okumuras’ Quotes

“The most important thing is to see the present moment clearly.”
“The key to practice is not to get something, but to let go of something.”
“The beauty of practice is that it is a never-ending journey.”
“We cannot control the world around us, but we can control our reactions to it.”
“The true nature of things can only be seen when the mind is still.”
“Zen is not about attaining enlightenment, it is about living in the present moment.”
“The mind is like a wild horse, it needs to be tamed through practice.”
“Meditation is not about escaping reality, it is about seeing it clearly.”
“The only way to find true peace is to let go of attachment.”
“The ultimate truth is not something that can be grasped with the intellect.”
“Our true nature is like the sky, unchanging and ever-present.”
“In Zen, we do not seek to change the world, but to change ourselves.”
“The mind is like a mirror, it reflects whatever is placed before it.”
“The present moment is the only moment that truly exists.”
“The true value of practice is not in what we gain, but in what we let go of.”
“In Zen, there is no need for beliefs or dogma, only direct experience.”
“The practice of Zen is not about becoming someone else, it is about being ourselves.”
“The ultimate goal of practice is not to attain enlightenment, but to live a life of compassion.”
“In Zen, the teacher is not a master, but a guide.”
“The true nature of things can only be experienced in the present moment.”
“The mind is like a river, constantly flowing and changing.”
“The practice of Zen is about letting go of our attachment to ego.”
“The present moment is the only moment where we can truly experience life.”
“Zen is not about finding answers, it is about asking the right questions.”
“The practice of Zen is not about escaping reality, it is about fully engaging with it.”

Conclusion

The words of Zen Buddhist masters have a wisdom that resonates with people across cultures and generations. Their profound insights and teachings offer a path towards inner peace, mindfulness, and wisdom. By immersing ourselves in their quotes, we can gain a deeper understanding of Zen Buddhism and apply their teachings to our own lives.

May these quotes from Zen Buddhist masters continue to inspire and guide us on our journey towards a more meaningful and fulfilling existence.

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