‘Then the practice will naturally ripen and gradually you will enter wonderful states. If you practise in such a way for a very long time, then you will surely realise great awakening.’
Zen Buddhism
Buddhist Insights
Morning meditation — In the absence of self, the Buddha within.
‘In the absence of self, the Buddha within is not diminished; rather, it shines forth unobstructed, like the sun emerging from behind clouds.’
Everyday Buddhism
Morning meditation — The enlightenment in which you see your true mind.
‘The enlightenment in which you see your true mind and realise your true nature is transmitted outside of the scriptures; it is not based on names and words.’
Bassui Tokushō
Morning meditation — Enlightenment is not the annihilation of the self.
‘Enlightenment is not the annihilation of the self, but the awakening to the truth that the self was never real to begin with. What remains is not emptiness as a void, but emptiness as a boundless, luminous awareness — the very nature of the Buddha.’
Everyday Buddhism
Morning meditation — By understanding consciousness not as a stable entity.
‘By understanding consciousness not as a stable entity but as a dynamic process, we open the door to profound insight into the nature of existence.’
Everyday Buddhism
Morning meditation — Dukkha is experienced when we are unaware.
‘Dukkha: Literally souring, often translated as suffering or unsatisfactoriness.
Dukkha is experienced when we are unaware, unawakened.’
Everyday Buddhism
Morning meditation — Once you see, after clarifying your true nature.
‘Once you see, after clarifying your true nature, all words return to the self like waves by the thousands returning to the sea.’
Bassui Tokushō
Morning meditation — At times it goes well and at times it does not.
‘Many monks who practise in meditation halls often just settle down in such places. Thus out of ten practitioners eight or nine are unable to pierce through the barrier of the patriarchs.’
Kusan Sunim
Buddhism now 