Unless it grows out of yourself no knowledge is really yours, it is only borrowed plumage. — D.T. Suzuki Borrowed Copy Share Image
Facts of experience are valued in Zen more than representations, symbols, and concepts-that is to say, substance is everything in Zen and… — D.T. Suzuki Concepts Copy Share Image
If you have attained something, this is the surest proof that you have gone astray. Therefore, not to have is to have,… — D.T. Suzuki Enlightenment Copy Share Image
The contradiction so puzzling to the ordinary way of thinking comes from the fact that we have to use language to communicate… — D.T. Suzuki Communicate Copy Share Image
The fighter is to be always single-minded with one object in view: to fight, looking neither backward nor sidewise. To go straight… — D.T. Suzuki Crush Copy Share Image
Let the intellect alone, it has its usefulness in its proper sphere, but let it not interfere with the flowing of the… — D.T. Suzuki Intellect Copy Share Image
Personal experience, therefore, is everything in Zen. No ideas are intelligible to those who have no backing of experience. — D.T. Suzuki Experience Copy Share Image
The greatest productions of art, whether painting, music, sculpture or poetry, have invariably this quality-something approaching the work of God. — D.T. Suzuki Art Copy Share Image
The meaning of service is to do the work assigned ungrudgingly and without thought of personal reward material or moral. — D.T. Suzuki Materials Copy Share Image
I raise my hand; I take a book from the other side of this desk; I hear the boys playing ball outside… — D.T. Suzuki Balls Copy Share Image
Zen purposes to discipline the mind itself, to make it its own master, through an insight into its proper nature. This getting… — D.T. Suzuki Buddhism Copy Share Image
When the identity is realized, I as swordsman see no opponent confronting me and threatening to strike me. I seem to transform… — D.T. Suzuki Confronting Copy Share Image
Zen is the spirit of a man. Zen believes in his inner purity and goodness. Whatever is superadded or violently torn away,… — D.T. Suzuki Believe Copy Share Image
Because since the beginningless past we are running after objects, not knowing where our Self is, we lose track of the Original… — D.T. Suzuki Circumstances Copy Share Image
When traveling is made too easy and comfortable, its spiritual meaning is lost. This may be called sentimentalism, but a certain sense… — D.T. Suzuki Certain Copy Share Image
Prophecy is rash, but it may be that the publication of D.T. Suzuki's first Essays in Zen Buddhism in 1927 will seem… — D.T. Suzuki Buddhism Copy Share Image
The worst passion we mortals cherish is the desire to possess. Even when we know that our final destination is a hole… — D.T. Suzuki Cherish Copy Share Image
We do not realize that as soon as our thoughts cease and all attempts at forming ideas are forgotten the Buddha reveals… — D.T. Suzuki Cease Copy Share Image
“But nothing awakens religious consciousness like suffering.” — D.T. Suzuki Religion Copy Share Image
Enlightenment is like everyday consciousness but two inches above the ground. — D.T. Suzuki Buddhism Copy Share Image
The truth of Zen is the truth of life, and life means to live, to move, to act, not merely to reflect. — D.T. Suzuki Life Copy Share Image
The intuitive recognition of the instant, thus reality is the highest act of wisdom. — D.T. Suzuki Instant Copy Share Image
“God against man. Man against God. Man against nature. Nature against man. Nature against God. God against nature. Very funny religion!” — D.T. Suzuki Christianity Copy Share Image
The truth of Zen, just a little bit of it, is what turns one's humdrum life, a life of monotonous, uninspiring commonplaceness,… — D.T. Suzuki Art Copy Share Image
If I am asked If I am asked, then, what Zen teaches, I would answer, Zen teaches nothing. Whatever teachings there are… — D.T. Suzuki Answers Copy Share Image
To be a good Zen Buddhist it is not enough to follow the teaching of its founder; we have to experience the… — D.T. Suzuki Buddhism Copy Share Image
Zen has nothing to teach us in the way of intellectual analysis; nor has it any set doctrines which are imposed on… — D.T. Suzuki Acceptance Copy Share Image
Among the most remarkable features characterizing Zen we find these: spirituality, directness of expression, disregard of form or conventionalism, and frequently an… — D.T. Suzuki Delight Copy Share Image
Dhyana is retaining one's tranquil state of mind in any circumstance, unfavorable as well as favorable, and not being disturbed or frustrated… — D.T. Suzuki Adverse Copy Share Image
When I say that Zen is life, I mean that Zen is not to be confined within conceptualization, that Zen is what… — D.T. Suzuki Conceptualization Copy Share Image
The rocks are where they are- and this is their will. The rivers flow- and this is their will. The birds fly-… — D.T. Suzuki Action Copy Share Image
In the spiritual world there are no time divisions such as the past, present and future; for they have contracted themselves into… — D.T. Suzuki Division Copy Share Image
The basic idea of Zen is to come in touch with the inner workings of our being, and to do this in… — D.T. Suzuki Absolutes Copy Share Image
