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Consider the example of Buddha Shakyamuni of the Jeta Grove, who practiced sitting up straight for six years even though he was gifted with intrinsic wisdom.
Still celebrated is Master Bodhidharma of the Shaolin Temple, who sat facing the wall for nine years although he had already received the mind seal.
Ancient sages were like this; who nowadays does not need to practice as they did?

- Dogen (1200-1253)

If you desire to meet the real Buddha,
you must see your True nature.
Unless you see your True nature,
even if you recite the Buddha’s name,
read sutras, and uphold the precepts,
you will just be wasting your time.

- Daito (1282-1334)

forum moderator,
please leave the posts here on this thread as they are
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Stop searching for phrases
and chasing after words.
Take the backward step
and turn the light inward.
Your body-mind of itself will drop
off, and your original face will appear.
If you want to attain just this,
immediately practice just this.

- Dogen (1200-1253)

“all streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. humility gives it its power. if you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. if you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them.”

― Lao Tzu

The Way transcends any aspect of
Going or coming,
Movement or quiescence,
So one cannot realize satori by
Waiting for it.

- Daito (1282-1334)

When one lives vitally
In the present moment
Without being pressured
Toward the past or future,
One lives as the present itself.
One actually becomes
The present unfolding.
No other place is so vast and broad.

- Ji Aoi Isshi

Walking on willow tree-lined roads by a river
Dappled with peach blossoms,
I look for spring light, But am everywhere lost.
Birds fly up and scatter floating catkins.
A ponderous wave of flowers sags the branches.

- Wang Wei (699-759)

@rookie54 said
forum moderator,
please leave the posts here on this thread as they are
thank you

@rookie54 said
Walking on willow tree-lined roads by a river
Dappled with peach blossoms,
I look for spring light, But am everywhere lost.
Birds fly up and scatter floating catkins.
A ponderous wave of flowers sags the branches.

- Wang Wei (699-759)

Zen practice is throwing away one's preconceived views along with the sacred texts,
and then penetrating the layers covering the self.
All of the awakened ones have turned within and sought the self,
and by doing this they went beyond doubt.
It is then that thinking comes to an end,
and making distinctions ceases;
wrong views and ideas disappear of themselves;
and true action and true impulse appear.
Then one can know the truth.

Daikaku (1203-1268)

Do not be concerned with who is
wise and who is stupid.
Do not discriminate the
sharp from the dull.
To practice whole-heartedly
is the true endeavor of the way.
Practice-realization is not
defiled with specialness;
it is a matter for every day.

- Dogen (1200-1253)

Be like a strip of unbleached silk cloth.
Be like cool, clear water,
Be like an incense burner in an old shrine.
Then you can cut through the spool of silk
And leave behind all discrimination.
Once you like the stupid and senseless,
You will have become partially united with it.
This is the method of extinguishing delusion through rest.

- Chinul (1205)