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There are two paths to practice. One is to place oneself under the guidance of a virtuous and wise teacher, enduring the severity of the restrictions and bearing the accompanying pain and difficulty.

The other is to practice in solitude in a quiet place. I realize that there are many people here in this mountain temple, and that there are many obstacles to practice. It would seem as though practice by oneself should be easier. However, there is always danger that one will become lazier due to the relaxation in one’s schedule.

~ Myoe (1185-1333)

There is a destination that must be reached within a day. One person endures great suffering and continues to walk with the aid of a stick. The other person decides to rest on a rock because it is too much for him.
When he lies down and looks up, he sees clouds drifting in the wind and hallucinates that the rock he is on is also flying in the air. Cheerfully fantasizing that he has already reached his destination, he wakes up to find that he is just where he was before.
The first person who continued to walk has already completed his trek. Although the second one finds himself far from his goal, he thinks it is useless to regret his error.

Parable of Shakyamuni

A crowd of stars lines up
Bright in the deep night.
Lone lamp on the cliff,
The moon is not yet sunk,
Full and bright without being
Ground or polished.
Hanging in the black sky is my mind.

~ Han Shan (early 9th c)

According to Buddha’s words, once one has fully entered the world, there is no breach or need to leave the world.
These words contain the principle of attaining Buddhahood by means of the world dharma.
In the Kegon Sutra it is said: “the Buddha Dharma is no different from the world dharma, and the world dharma is no different from the Buddha Dharma.”
Anyone who does not put to use this principle of attaining Buddhahood in the world dharma itself knows nothing of the real intentions of the Buddha.

~ Shosan (1579-1655)

A bamboo path leads through the First Stage
Where the City of Illusion appears from Lotus Peak.
Up in its windows all Ch’u is encompassed,
Above its forests Nine Rivers lies level.
Pliant grasses accepted for sitting meditation,
Tall pines echo with sutra chanting.
Then dwelling in void, beyond the Clouds of Law,
Observe the World, attain Non-Life.

~ Wang Wei

All my life I have yearned for true reclusion,
Days on end sought wonders beyond this world:
Here old peasants enter their fields at dawn,
And mountain monks return to their temples at night.
Clear sounds come from pine-shaded springs,
Mossy walls filled with ancient truths.
I will lodge on this mountain forever,
I and the world are done with each other.

~ Meng Hao-jan

Lake water enters the bamboo fence,
Mountains surround the cottage.
A recluse’s life avoids this world.
The unused door hides behind
A green moss hue;
When a stranger passes,
The white birds fly in alarm.
Selling herbs, I taste and compare
But charge no price.
I do some gardening,
But love to do it unplanned.
Why is the wooded path leading
To T’ien-chu monastery
Still in autumn
Deeply dreaming in blue?

~ Lin Pu

I'm saturated
Wet with your tears
You spill so easily
In reflection I'll see you again
Approach me, soak me
Faith, faith, breathe!
'Cause it's here, it's where the air is clear
Where far off things could be quite near
No repairs are needed
Just a spark!
I'm interested
You've always been a subject
That I could learn
Splendid hills, unconquerable mountains
Climb, don't ever turn back
Seed, seed, grow!
'Cause it's here, it's where the air is clear
Where far off things could be quite near
No repairs are needed
Just a spark!

~ Marty Willson-Piper

i have found that when i am on the cusp of understanding, i do not exclaim, "i've found it!"

it's more of a puzzled mutter, "that's odd..."

Do not sweep the fallen leaves,
For they are pleasant to hear on clear nights
In the wind, they rustle, as if sighing;
In the moonlight, their shadows flutter.
They knock on the window to wake a traveler;
Covering stairs, they hide moss.
Sad, the sight of them getting wet in the rain;
Let them wither away deep in the mountains.

~ Kim Shi Sup (1435-1493)

I let mind and body go
And gained a life of freedom
My old age is taking place
Among ten thousand peaks
I don’t let white clouds
Leave the valley lightly
I escort the moon as far
As my closed gate.

~ Han-shan Te-ch’ing (1546-1623)

The temple is buried in white clouds
But the monk does not sweep them away.
As he opens the gate to receive a guest,
All the vales look hazy with flying pollen.

~ Yi Dal (1539-1612)

The entire day I searched for spring,
But spring I could not find,
In my straw sandals I tramped among the
Mountain peak clouds.
Home again, smiling, I finger a sprig of
Fragrant plum blossom;
Spring was right here on these branches
In all of its glory!

~ Plum Blossom Nun

Spring morning on the lake:
The wind merges with the rain,
Worldly matters are like flowers
That fall only to bloom again.
I retire to contemplate behind closed doors,
A place of true joy,
While the floating clouds come and go
The whole day long.

~ Zhengue (12th c)

To study the Way is to try to become one with it, to forget even a trace of enlightenment.

Those who would practice the Way should first of all believe in it. Those who believe in the Way should believe that they have been in the Way from the very beginning, subject to neither delusion, illusive thoughts, and confused ideas nor increase, decrease, and mistaken understanding.

Engendering belief like this, clarify the Way and practice it accordingly-- this is the essence of studying the Way.

~ Dogen - Points to Watch in Buddhist Training