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Explore our Zen proverb collection for deep thoughts.
With these insightful sayings, you can delve into the essence of inner calmness and mental lightness and embrace the serenity of Zen philosophy.
To know and not do is to not yet know.
– Zen Proverb
This Zen proverb dives into the heart of what it means to internalize wisdom truly.
It challenges us to reflect on the disparity between intellectual understanding and lived experience, urging us to transform insights into actions.
It’s a gentle reminder that real understanding is transformational and reflected in our choices, habits, and ways of being.
Another Zen saying urges,
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
– Zen Proverb
The above Zen teaching emphasizes humbleness and receptiveness in personal transformation.
Often, we seek answers in all corners of life without realizing that true insights come when we are poised to receive them.
Clarity arises by looking sharply at our current misplaced values that cause suffering, acknowledging them, and being willing to go beyond them.
This brings forth teachers in myriad forms—be it a person, experience, or silent reflection within oneself.
We hope our handpicked Zen proverb quotes collection is a worthwhile read.
Best Zen Proverb And Sayings
It is not impermanence that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not.
– Nhat Hanh
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.
– Grantland Rice
Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.
– Shunryu Suzuki
Not thinking about anything is Zen. Once you know this, walking, sitting, or lying down, everything you do is Zen.
– Bodhidharma
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.
– Grantland Rice
Also Read: 75 Savage Karma Quotes Sayings For Deep Living
Mind is everything. What we think, we become.
– Gautama Buddha
Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.
– W. Somerset Maugham
Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
– Atisa
Zen Proverb Quotes And Sayings
If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?
– Dogen
Let your mind wander in the pure and simple. Be one with the infinite. Let all things take their course.
– Zhuangzi
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free.
– Zhuangzi
When the student is ready the teacher will appear.
– Laozi
Also Read: 107 Spiritual Wisdom Quotes For A Relaxed Life
The most important point is to accept yourself and stand on your two feet.
– Shunryu Suzuki
Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.
– Matsuo Basho
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.
– Gautama Buddha
The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.
– Dogen
A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.
– Dogen
Thoughtful Zen Proverb And Sayings
Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows, by itself.
– Matsuo Basho
When you do something, you should burn yourself up completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.
– Shunryu Suzuki
What is the sound of one hand?
– Hakuin Ekaku
The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences.
– Sengcan
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.
– Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Also Read: 50 Meaningful Life Journey Quotes To Live Joyfully
To follow the path look to the master follow the master walk with the master see through the master become the master.
– Sengcan
Who would then deny that when I am sipping tea in my tearoom I am swallowing the whole universe with it and that this very moment of my lifting the bowl to my lips is eternity itself transcending time and space?
– D.T. Suzuki
I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats.
– Eckhart Tolle
The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.
– Nhat Hanh
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
– Dalai Lama
No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change.
– Nhat Hanh
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