50 Mind-Expanding Zen Buddhism Quotes for Inner Peace
50 Mind-Expanding Zen Buddhism Quotes for Inner Peace
Zen, strongly influenced by Taoist philosophy is a school of Mahayana Buddhism. It originated in China, during the Tang dynasty and soon developed as a distinct school of Chinese Buddhism.
The word Zen stems from the Japanese pronunciation of the Middle Chinese word 禪 (Chán), which traces its roots to the Indian practice of dhyāna or meditation.
Zen teachings include various sources of Mahayana thought, especially Yogachara, the Tathāgatagarbha sūtras, and the Huayan school. They prioritize Buddha-nature, totality, and the Bodhisattva-ideal.
The Profound Philosophy of Zen:
Zen Buddhism works on self-control, meditation-practice, perceiving the true nature of thought and action, without restricting the mind to think in a certain way and maligning it by popular opinions.
Zen Masters believe that happiness doesn’t come from outside; we have to create it. That’s why they work on inner peace than, getting caught up in the web of unrealistic expectations.
Therefore, Zen believes in practising non-attachment and letting go of things, that limit your learning and hinder you to live in the present.
Learn more about it from the best 50 Zen Buddhism quotes that’ll bring inner peace to you. *But only if you practise it. Conditions applied 😉
Zen Quotes on the Power of Mind and Thought:
“In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light. ― Dōgen Zenji”
“All that we are, is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become. ― Buddha”
“To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. ― Chuang Tzu”
“Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind. ― Zen Proverb”
“It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. ― Buddha”
Zen Quotes on Peace and Change:
“Do not let the behaviour of others destroy your inner peace. ― Dalai Lama”
“I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. ― Lao Tzu”
“Each morning, we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. ― Buddha”
“We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want. ― Lao Tzu” (A pure gem, My fav)
“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. ― Lao Tzu”
Zen Quotes on the Purpose of Life:
“The purpose of our lives is to be happy. ― Dalai Lama”
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them. ― Dalai Lama”
Check out: 100 Albert Camus Quotes on God, Suicide, Death, Love, Psychology & Happiness
Zen Quotes on Time and Existence:
“We do not exist for the sake of something else. We exist for the sake of ourselves. ― Shunryu Suzuki”
“The trouble is, you think you have time. ― Buddha”
“This dew like life fades away; time speeds swiftly. In this short life of ours, avoid involvement in superfluous things and just study the way. ― Dōgen Zenji”
Zen Quotes on Important Lessons of Life:
“Life is like stepping onto a boat which is about to sail out to sea and sink. ― Shunryu Suzuki”
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. ― Buddha”
“Do not follow the idea of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. ― Dōgen Zenji”
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ― Lao Tzu”
Zen Buddhism Quotes on being Rich:
“To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance. ― Buddha”
“If you realise you have enough, you are truly rich. ― Lao Tzu”
Zen Quotes on Kindness and Compassion:
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. ― Dalai Lama”
“Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion. ― Buddha”
“To receive everything, one must open one’s hands and give. ― Taisen Deshima”
“Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little. ― Buddha”
Zen Buddhism Quotes on Self Acceptance:
“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. ― Thích Nhất Hạnh”
“The most important point is to accept yourself and stand on your two feet. ― Shunryu Suzuki”
“Flow with whatever may happen, and let your mind be free: Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. ― Chuang-Tzu”
Check out: The Power of Introversion: 8 Qualities of Introverts & How to Benefit from It
Zen Quotes on Attachment:
“Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing. ― Tilopa”
“Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day. ― Dalai Lama”
“When you seek it, you cannot find it. ― Zen Proverb”
“A jug fills drop by drop. ― Buddha”
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. ― Zen Proverb”
“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. ― Pema Chödrön”
Zen Buddhism Quotes on Love:
“Love is the absence of judgement. ― Dalai Lama”
“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.— Buddha”
“If we do not know how to take care of ourselves and to love ourselves, we cannot take care of the people we love.”
“Loving oneself is the foundation for loving another person. ― Thích Nhất Hạnh”
Zen Quotes on Mother Nature and Earth:
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ― Lao Tzu”
“The true miracle is not walking on water or walking in air, but simply walking on this earth. ― Thích Nhất Hạnh”
Zen Buddhism Quotes on Forgiveness:
“To understand everything is to forgive everything. ― Buddha”
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ― Buddha”
Check out: 5 Reasons to Forgive someone who has Hurt you to the Core
Zen Buddhism Quotes on Awareness:
“Those who are awake, live in a state of constant amazement. ― Buddha”
“What was never lost can never be found. ― Zen Proverb”
“I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done. ― Buddha”
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. ― Buddha”
Zen Quotes on Human Suffering:
“To seek is to suffer. To seek nothing is bliss. ― Bodhidharma”
“Let go, or be dragged. ― Zen Proverb”
“When you think everything is someone else fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realise that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy. ― Dalai Lama”
“Man stands in his own shadow and wonders why it is dark. ― Zen Proverb”
You might also like:
- 10 Best Spiritual Songs to Kick start Your day with Positivity
- 10 Reasons why one Chooses to be a Lone Wolf in a World that works well in Groups
- Smile- Poem on Smiling in Difficult Times
- 30 Evergreen Buddhist Quotes on Karma to Teach you the Importance of your Actions
Let thy spirit be high in love. Namaste
