Food for thought

by Dogen
When we discover
that the truth is already in us, we are all at once
our original selves.

Zen

The Great Way has no gate;
there are a thousand paths to it.

If you pass through the barrier,
you walk the universe alone.

- Wu-Men

Inspiration stories

One day, in ancient India, the Buddha was giving a teaching to his followers.
On this day however, instead of a verbal teaching,
he simply held up a flower.

One of his disciples, Mahakasyapa, smiled.

The Buddha said: "Today, I gave a silent teaching and Mahakasyapa alone understood it."This was the birth of Zen.

Since that time, the Buddha's message has been transmitted from person to person right up to today's modern Zen masters.

Inspiration stories

“ A student asked master Bankei
“ How can I cure my terrible temper?”
“Show it to me,” demanded Bankei,“ I can’t just show it to you like that
because it comes on unexpectedly.”
Explained the student.

Bankei replied
“It is not your true nature, then.
If it were it would be with you at all time.”

From: The Wisdom of the Zen Masters