Practice and enlightenment are not two.

Since it is the practice of enlightenment, that practice has no beginning and since it is enlightenment within the practice, that realization has no…

— Dogen

Whenever learners or those beyond learning awaken the mind, for the first time they plant one buddha-nature. Working with the four elements and five…

— Dogen

“My foot slips on a narrow ledge; in that split second, as needles of fear pierce heart and temples, eternity intersects with present time.…

— Peter Matthiessen

The purpose of meditation practice is not enlightenment; it is to pay attention even at extraordinary times, to be of the present, nothing-but-in-the-present, to…

— Peter Matthiessen

Just as the grammarian makes one study grammar, A Buddha teaches according to the tolerance of his students; Some he urges to refrain from…

— Akkineni Nagarjuna

The practice is enlightenment. Some people find this idea not to their liking. They want to get enlightenment in a flash. This way they…

— Tim Ward

“The purpose of meditation practice is not enlightenment; it is to pay attention even at unextraordinary times, to be of present, nothing-but-the-present, to bear…

— Peter Matthiessen

When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass,…

— Dogen

Unless you see your nature, all this talk about cause & effect is nonsense. Buddhas don't practice nonsense.

— Bodhidharma

People say that practicing Zen is difficult, but there is a misunderstanding as to why. It is not difficult because it is hard to…

— Shunryu Suzuki

This is what our yoga practice is trying to accomplish. Not white light descending from heaven and engulfing you, not energy released from the…

— Bryan Kest

Right now we have obtained a human rebirth and have the opportunity to attain enlightenment through Dharma practice, so if we waste this precious…

— Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

There is no beginning to practice nor end to enlightenment; There is no beginning to enlightenment nor end to practice.

— Dogen

Working with plants, trees, fences and walls, if they practice sincerely they will attain enlightenment.

— Dogen

Set aside all involvements and let the myriad things rest. Zazen is not thinking of good, not thinking of bad. It is not conscious…

— Dogen