Zen Wisdom

"A student asked. "What is the mind?"
The master answered, "Mind is the Buddha."
The student said, "Thank you. Now I see."
The master replied, "Now that you see, I say the truth is there is no mind and no Buddha."
The astonished student exclaimed, "Then why did you say 'The mind is the Buddha'?"
The master explained, "I had to stop the baby crying."

- Zen teaching story

"Consider the trees that allow birds to perch and fly away without calling them to come or longing for them not to leave. If your heart can be like a tree you will be close to the Way."

- Langya

"Ma'tsu was living as an ascetic and practicing meditation. Master Huai Jang asked, "What are you doing?" Ma'tsu replied, "Trying to be a Buddha." Huai Jang picked up a stone and began rubbing it. "What are you doing?" asked Ma'tsu. Huai Jang replied, "I am trying to make a mirror." Ma'tsu said, "No amount of polishing will make a stone a mirror." Huai Jang said, "No amount of meditation will may you a Buddha."

- Zen teaching story