Quotes About Enlightenment

To enter the Buddha Way is to stop discriminating between good and evil and to cast aside the mind that says this is good and that is bad.

Before one studies Zen, mountains are mountains and waters are waters; after a first glimpse into the truth of Zen, mountains are no longer mountains and waters are no longer waters; after enlightenment, mountains are once again mountains and waters once again waters.

Every man possesses the Buddha-nature. Do not demean yourselves.

Only those who have the great capacity of genuine trust can enter this realm [the realm of the buddhas]. Those who have no trust are unable to accept it, however much they hear it.

Know that the true dharma emerges of itself [during the practice of zazen], clearing away hindrances and distractions.

Working with plants, trees, fences and walls, if they practice sincerely they will attain enlightenment.

When Babaji has drawn you to him, everything is given to you in his own shadow. One must learn this and drive away worries from the mind.

Buhhdism is wisdom. As long as we have wisdom, we can put all things to the best use, we can turn everything in the direction of happiness.

Whoever has a perfect vision of one thing, Has the perfect vision of all things, For the emptiness of one thing Is the emptiness of all things. – Aryadeva

Like the expanse of space, the mind [in its intrinsic nature] transcends intellect. Let it remain in its relaxed nature, without directing or settling it, for mind without a manipulated focus represents Mah?mudr?; By deepening intimacy with it, one will attain supreme enlightenment.

Intrinsic purity [bodhi] is like pollen in the common lotus, Like grains in chaff, and gold in dirt, Like a treasure under the soil, and seeds in pods, Like an image of Buddha wrapped in rags, Like a prince in the womb of a common woman, Like a heap of gold beneath the earth. Thus, the nature of enlightenment remains hidden in all sentient beings Who are overcome by transitory defilement.

In Buddhism we have relative truth and absolute truth.

In the Buddha's life story we see the three stages of practice: Morality comes first, then concentrated meditation, and then wisdom. And we see that the path takes time.

From the viewpoint of absolute truth, what we feel and experience in our ordinary daily life is all delusion. Of all the various delusions, the sense of discrimination between oneself and others is the worst form, as it creates nothing but unpleasant.

This new concept ought to be elaborated alongside the religions, in such a way that all people of good will could adhere to it. We ought to promote this concept with the help of scientists. It could lead us to what we are looking for.

Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.

Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that's important. Self-discipline with awareness of consequences.

Doubt everything. Find your own light." —Last words of Gautama Buddha, in Theravada tradition

Zen has a pronounced iconoclastic tendency, and regards the study of texts, doctrines, and dogmas as a potential hindrance to spiritual awakening, relying instead on humour, spontaneity, unconventionality, poetry, and other forms of artistic expression to communicate the idea of enlightenment

My eyes were closed, they're open now

The true purpose of mankind is to bear the torch of truth aloft and shine it, even into the darkest places. To share our forensic, unforgiving, liberating understanding with the dimmest reaches of the cosmos. To emancipate those shackled in ignorance. To free ourselves and others from false gods, and take our place at the apex of sentient life. That… that is what we may pour faith into. That is what we can harness our boundless faith to.

Swami Havabanana

Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions." —Oliver Wendell Holmes