Shunryu Suzuki

What we call 'I' is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale. It just moves; that is all. When your mind is pure and calm enough to follow this movement, there is nothing: no 'I,' no world, no mind nor body; just a swinging door.

When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.

There are, strictly speaking, no enlightened people, there is only enlightened activity.

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's there are few.

The basic teaching of Buddhism is the teaching of transiency or change. That everything changes is the basic truth for each existence. No one can deny this truth and all teaching of Buddhism is condensed within it. This is the teaching for all of us. Wherever we go this teaching is true. This teaching is also understood as the teaching of selflessness. Because each existence is in constant change, there is no abiding self.

Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure.

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything, it is open to everything.