An ancient buddha said, “Mountains are mountains; waters are waters.” These words do not mean mountains are mountains; they mean mountains are mountains.

If you want to see things just as they are, then you yourself must practice just as you are.

In the assemblies of the enlightened ones there have been many cases of mastering the Way bringing forth the heart of plants and trees; this is what awakening the mind for enlightenment is like. The fifth patriarch of Zen was once a pine-planting wayfarer; Rinzai worked on planting cedars and pines on Mount Obaku. . . . Working with plants, trees, fences and walls, if they practice sincerely they will attain enlightenment.

Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment.

Let your heart go out and abide in things. Let things return and abide in your heart.

Do not be amazed by the true dragon.

Emptiness is bound to bloom, like hundreds of grasses blossoming.