--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Become a Buddha? The mind can't do it…" description: "\"Become a Buddha? The mind can't do it. The body can't do it. Only what can't become a Buddha becomes a Buddha.\" — Ikkyu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/ikkyu-20530_body_become-a-buddha-the-mind-can-t-do-it-the_2346134.png" --- # Become a Buddha? The mind can't do it. The body can't do… ![“Become a Buddha? The mind can't do it. The body can't do it. Only what can't become a Buddha becomes a Buddha.” quote by Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/ikkyu-20530_body_become-a-buddha-the-mind-can-t-do-it-the_2346134.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/ikkyu-20530_body_become-a-buddha-the-mind-can-t-do-it-the_2346134.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/854/ikkyu-20530_body_become-a-buddha-the-mind-can-t-do-it-the_2346134.png) > “Become a Buddha? The mind can't do it. The body can't do it. Only what can't become a Buddha becomes a Buddha.” [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The mind and body are limited, yet paradoxically, that which cannot become a Buddha is what ultimately attains enlightenment. **In simple terms:** Limits reveal the path to enlightenment. Key Takeaway Embrace paradox to transcend limits. Themes spirituality paradox enlightenment Mood contemplative calm Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - Meditation - mindful walking - overcoming self‑doubt - creative problem solving Key Concepts Zen Buddhism non-duality emptiness Questions to Reflect On - How do you see limits as guides? - What paradox helps you grow? A Different Perspective The statement may be misread as fatalistic, ignoring effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddha/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-body/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [The mind is the Buddha, and the Buddha is the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bodhidharma/the-mind-is-the-buddha-and-the-buddha-is-the-mind/) [Bodhidharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bodhidharma/) > [Without the mind there is no Buddha. Without the Buddha there's no mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bodhidharma/without-the-mind-there-is-no-buddha-without-the-buddha-there-s-no-mind/) [Bodhidharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bodhidharma/) > [The Buddha is in me, the Buddha is in you. Live up to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-buddha-is-in-me-the-buddha-is-in-you-live-up-to-it/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Once a Buddha, always a Buddha.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/once-a-buddha-always-a-buddha/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [“As long as we're in a state of confusion, overwhelmed by the three conflicting emotions, trapped in cyclic existence, we're not happy and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ngagpa-yeshe-dorje/as-long-as-we-re-in-a-state-of-confusion-overwhelmed-by-the-three/) Ngagpa Yeshe Dorje > [A Buddha is a Buddha,a Krishna is a Krishna,and you are you.And you are not in any way less than anybody else.Respect yourself,respect your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-buddha-is-a-buddha-a-krishna-is-a-krishna-and-you-are-you-and-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [At this moment, is there anything lacking? Nirvana is right here now before our eyes. This place is the lotus land. This body now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakuin-ekaku/at-this-moment-is-there-anything-lacking-nirvana-is-right-here-now/) [Hakuin Ekaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakuin-ekaku/) > [Our buddha nature is as good as any buddha’s buddha nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/our-buddha-nature-is-as-good-as-any-buddha-s-buddha-nature/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Don't quote the Buddha. Be the Buddha.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/don-t-quote-the-buddha-be-the-buddha/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [If you cannot bow to Buddha, you cannot be a Buddha. It is arrogance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/if-you-cannot-bow-to-buddha-you-cannot-be-a-buddha-it-is-arrogance/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [Handle even a single leaf of green in such a way that it manifests the body of the Buddha. This in turn allows the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/handle-even-a-single-leaf-of-green-in-such-a-way-that-it-manifests/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [“15. Nature and her Lesson. Nature offers us nectar and ambrosia every day, and everywhere we go the rose and lily await us. "Spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaiten-nukariya/15-nature-and-her-lesson-nature-offers-us-nectar-and-ambrosia-every/) [Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaiten-nukariya/) > [“If you hate your body and think that it is only a source of affliction, that it contains only the roots of anger, hatred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/if-you-hate-your-body-and-think-that-it-is-only-a-source-of/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“Every day, I am thinking: 'How can I lead all living beings to enter the unsurpassed way so as to quickly acquire the body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddha/every-day-i-am-thinking-how-can-i-lead-all-living-beings-to-enter-the/) [Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddha/) ## More by Ikkyu > [I and other humans no difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/i-and-other-humans-no-difference/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [Having no destination, I am never lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/having-no-destination-i-am-never-lost/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [“don't wait for the man standing in the snow to cut off his arm help him now”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/don-t-wait-for-the-man-standing-in-the-snow-to-cut-off-his-arm-help/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [Look at the cherry blossoms! Their color and scent fall with them, Are gone forever, Yet mindless The spring comes again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/look-at-the-cherry-blossoms-their-color-and-scent-fall-with-them-are/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [From the world of passions returning to the world of passions: There is a moment's pause. If it rains, let it rain, if the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/from-the-world-of-passions-returning-to-the-world-of-passions-there/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [“we're lost where the mind can't find us utterly lost”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/we-re-lost-where-the-mind-can-t-find-us-utterly-lost/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [Watching my four year old daughter dance I cannot break free of her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/watching-my-four-year-old-daughter-dance-i-cannot-break-free-of-her/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [Like vanishing dew, a passing apparition or the sudden flash of lightning -- already gone -- thus should one regard one's self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/like-vanishing-dew-a-passing-apparition-or-the-sudden-flash-of/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [My real dwelling Has no pillars And no roof either So rain cannot soak it And wind cannot blow it down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/my-real-dwelling-has-no-pillars-and-no-roof-either-so-rain-cannot/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [“Studying texts and stiff meditation can make you lose your Original Mind. A solitary tune by a fisherman, though, can be an invaluable treasure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/studying-texts-and-stiff-meditation-can-make-you-lose-your-original/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [The tree is stripped, All color, fragrance gone, Yet already on the bough, Uncaring spring!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/the-tree-is-stripped-all-color-fragrance-gone-yet-already-on-the/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [“it isn't that we're alone or not alone whose voice do you want mine? yours?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/it-isn-t-that-we-re-alone-or-not-alone-whose-voice-do-you-want-mine/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [“Hearing a crow with no mouth Cry in the deep Darkness of the night, I feel a longing for My father before he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/hearing-a-crow-with-no-mouth-cry-in-the-deep-darkness-of-the-night-i/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [“don't hesitate get laid that's wisdom sitting around chanting what crap”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/don-t-hesitate-get-laid-that-s-wisdom-sitting-around-chanting-what/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) > [“born born everything is always born thinking about it try not to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikkyu/born-born-everything-is-always-born-thinking-about-it-try-not-to/) [Ikkyu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) [Explore all 30 Ikkyu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikkyu/) ## More Body quotes > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The very purpose for being in this body, for every one of us, is to live and rejoice in that virgin area, that untouched,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/the-very-purpose-for-being-in-this-body-for-every-one-of-us-is-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) Jennifer Siebel Newsom > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Racism is a cancer. You cannot ignore it and it'll go away. If you ignore cancer, it simply metastasizes and consumes the whole body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-davis/racism-is-a-cancer-you-cannot-ignore-it-and-it-ll-go-away-if-you/) [Daryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-davis/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [If japa is maintained, no useless talk during work will be possible. The mind will always remain peaceful. Modern day diseases are mostly psychosomatic.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/if-japa-is-maintained-no-useless-talk-during-work-will-be-possible/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [It is the incongruous thing in my entire life, this isolation.. ... My work requires it - but I myself have no need or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/it-is-the-incongruous-thing-in-my-entire-life-this-isolation-my-work/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [My friends, this body - perhaps more than any other gathering in human history - now faces that difficult task.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/my-friends-this-body-perhaps-more-than-any-other-gathering-in-human/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) [Browse all 20,814 Body quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Become a Buddha? The mind can't do it. The body can't do it. 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