Buddhism Quote by Phil Jackson
““Zen teacher Lewis Richmond tells the story of hearing Shunryu Suzuki sum up Buddhism in two words. Suzuki had just finished giving a talk to a group of Zen students when someone in the audience said, “You’ve been talking about Buddhism for nearly an hour, and I haven’t been able to understand a thing you said. Could you say one thing about Buddhism I can understand?” After the laughter died down, Suzuki replied calmly, “Everything changes.” Those words, Suzuki said, contain the basic truth of existence: Everything is always in flux. Until you accept this, you won’t be able to find true equanimity.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Phil Jackson discussing Zen teachings, 2015
The essence of Buddhism is the constant flux of all things; accepting change leads to inner peace.
In simple terms: Everything is always changing.
Key Takeaway
Embrace impermanence to find calm.
Themes
impermanence
acceptance
peace
Mood
contemplative
calming
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- meditation practice
- life transitions
- stress management
Key Concepts
Buddhist philosophy
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you react to unexpected change?
- What practices help you stay centered?
A Different Perspective
Change can be unsettling, making acceptance difficult.
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