Zazen is an activity that is an extension of the universe. Zazen is not the life of an individual, it's the universe that's breathing.

Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things.

The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.

If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?

Life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken. Take heed, do not squander your life.

But do not ask me where I am going, As I travel in this limitless world, Where every step I take is my home.

A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.

Students, when you want to say something, think about it three times before you say it. Speak only if your words will benefit yourselves and others. Do not speak if it brings no benefit.

That you carry yourself forward and experience the myriad things is delusion. That the myriad things come forward and experience themselves is awakening

Those who seek the easy way do not seek the true way.

To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.

If you can listen to yourself and obey yourself more, then you have increased your chances for attaining personal effectiveness.

We must fight for the freedom of religion

I write quite a lot of sonnets, and I think of them almost as prayers: short and memorable, something you can recite.

You stick your head above the crowd and attract attention and sometimes somebody will throw a rock at you. That's the territory. You buy the land, you get the Indians.

Words themselves are the intimate attire of thoughts and feelings.

People think I'm unusual but it's just that we haven't had anyone like this since the Seventies.

I really began to love to read while in high school, and my favorite authors were my heroes: J.D. Salinger, Kurt Vonnegut.

Once a changemaker, always a changemaker but only a few swim against the tide.

At a rehearsal I let the orchestra play as they like. At the concert I make them play as I like.

The comic is the perception of the opposite; humor is the feeling of it.