#zen quotes

[simply-buddhism]

[gemrose]

Meditation is not an activity. An activity has a doer. It has a beginning and therefore, an end.

Meditation is a state of being. It is a continuous presence of an inner silence.

An uncontaminated awareness of all that is, like a pristine flowing river.

There is no seer, only seeing.

~ Meeta Ahluwalia

[sketchesinstillness]

[zen-daily]

"Just make your mind clean and free; like space, like a mirror, like the sun in the sky." - Yuanwu Keqin (1063–1135)

[putah-creek]

One might argue that the whole purpose of Zen Buddhism is to wake you up to this simple fact: this is your life. This is it. And that’s not a depressing thought, but a joyful one. This is it! This is my life!  Taylor Plimpton

[wilmerswaifuandlaifu]

[P.S Sunyata is the sanskrit (buddhist sanskrit word) for the void state/I am state! ❤️]

1. Sunyata (Emptiness) is the profound meaning of the Mahayana Teaching.

Two thousand five hundred years ago, the Buddha was able to realise "emptiness" (s. sunyata). By doing so he freed himself from unsatisfactoriness (s. dukkha). From the standpoint of enlightenment, sunyata is the reality of all worldly existences (s. dharma). It is the realisation of Bodhi — Prajna. From the standpoint of liberation, sunyata is the skilful means that disentangle oneself from defilement and unsatisfactoriness. The realisation of sunyata leads one to no attachment and clinging. It is the skilful means towards enlightenment and also the fruit of enlightenment.

There are two ways for us to understand this concept of sunyata in the Mahayana context. One way is to try to understand the explanation about its true nature. The other way is the realisation through practice. What we are going to discuss now is about its true nature.

Mahayana teachings have always considered that the understanding of sunyata is an attainment which is extremely difficult and extraordinarily profound.

For example, in the Prajna Sutra it says "That which is profound, has sunyata and non-attachment as its significance. No form nor deeds, no rising nor falling, are its implications."

Again in the Dvadasanikaya Sastra (composed by Nagarjuna, translated to Chinese by Kumarajiva A.D. 408) it says: "The greatest wisdom is the so-called sunyata."

This sunyata, no creation, calmness and extinction (s. nirvana) is of a profound significance in the Mahayana teachings. Why do we see it as the most profound teaching? This is because there is no worldly knowledge, be it general studies, science or philosophy, that can lead to the attainment of the state of sunyata. The only path to its realisation is via the supreme wisdom of an impassionate and discriminating mind. It is beyond the common worldly understanding.

🧡🧡🧡

[evolvingmonkey]

 “However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?” ~Buddha

[brettesims]

The Eightfold Fence

“From the time we are small it is something we are taught to build within ourselves; an impenetrable wall, which we can retreat whenever we need. You must train yourself to listen without hearing; for instance you can listen to the sound of a blossom falling, the rocks growing…

If you really listen your present circumstance vanishes. Do not be fooled by our politeness, our bows, our maze of rituals… beneath it all we could be a great distance away. Safe. And alone.”

~ Show: Shogun, (Hulu)

[redsamuraiii]

My Happy Marriage (Ep 7)

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” - Zenkei Shibayama

[epiphaniiii]

Art - Kawai Gyokudo (1873-1957)

[1five1two]

How foolish men are, to see nothing but beauty in what is clearly evil! Heaven's Way has its inexorable justice, but some mortals remain foolish and never see the light!

Pu Songling

[simply-buddhism]

[gemrose]

[littlepoetrybox]

#97 in a collection by Dianne Cikusa (Poet's Notes) / Red Bubble

~~ 🧐

[zen-daily]

"Buddha and Devil are products of one mind; Buddha is real, Devil is madness." - Fenyang Shanzhao (942-1024)

[putah-creek]

When life is hard, that will pass. When life is good, that will pass, too. It is all impermanent.