So it is not a matter of whether it is possible to attain Buddhahood, or if it is possible to make a tile a jewel. But just to work, just to live in this world with this understanding is the most important point, and that is our practice. That is true zazen.

When my master and I were walking in the rain, he would say, 'Do not walk so fast, the rain is everywhere.'

You should rather be grateful for the weeds you have in your mind, because eventually they will enrich your practice.

Life and death are the same thing. When we realize this fact, we have no fear of death anymore, nor actual difficulty in our life.

In Japan we have the phrase, "Shoshin," which means "beginner's mind." Our "original mind" includes everything within itself. It is always rich and sufficient within itself. This does not mean a closed mind, but actually an empty mind and a ready mind. If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything. It is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.

Moment after moment, completely devote yourself to listening to your inner voice.

For Zen students, a weed is a treasure.