Paul Reps > Quotes

“If the feet of enlightenment moved, the great ocean would overflow; If that head bowed, it would look down upon the heavens.
Such a body has no place to rest. . . .
Let another continue this poem.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings

“Seeing the smile in your eyes, I have forgotten that people die”
― Paul Reps, Zen Telegrams

“It is too clear and so it is hard to see. A dunce once searched for a fire with a lighted lantern. Had he known what fire was, He could have cooked his rice much sooner.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“If you meet a fencing-master on the road, you may give him your sword, If you meet a poet, you may offer him your poem. When you meet others, say only a part of what you intend. Never give the whole thing at once.”
― Paul Reps, Writings from the Zen Masters

“Meeting a Zen master on the road, Face him neither with words nor silence. Give him an uppercut And you will be called one who understands Zen.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“When asked to perform a miracle, a Zen master responded:
"My miracle is that when I feel hungry I eat, and when I feel thirsty I drink.”
― Paul Reps

“While listening to stringed instruments, hear their composite central sound; thus omnipresence.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“SOYEN SHAKU, the first Zen teacher to come to America, said: “My heart burns like fire but my eyes are as cold as dead ashes.” He made the following rules which he practiced every day of his life. In the morning before dressing, light incense and meditate. Retire at a regular hour. Partake of food at regular intervals. Eat with moderation and never to the point of satisfaction. Receive a guest with the same attitude you have when alone. When alone, maintain the same attitude you have in receiving guests. Watch what you say, and whatever you say, practice it. When an opportunity comes do not let it pass by, yet always think twice before acting. Do not regret the past. Look to the future. Have the fearless attitude of a hero and the loving heart of a child. Upon retiring, sleep as if you had entered your last sleep. Upon awakening, leave your bed behind you instantly as if you had cast away a pair of old shoes.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings

“22. Consider any area of your present form as limitlessly spacious.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings

“Pierce some part of your nectar-filled form with a pin, and gently enter the piercing.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“55. See as for the first time a beauteous person as an ordinary object.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings

“Feel the fine qualities of creativity permeating your breasts and assuming delicate configurations.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“Try if you wish. But Zen comes of itself. True Zen shows in everyday living, CONSCIOUSNESS in action. More than any limited awareness, it opens every inner door to our infinite nature.
Instantly mind frees. How it frees! False Zen wracks brains as a fiction concocted by priests and salesmen to peddle their own wares.
Look at it this way, inside out and inside in: CONSCIOUSNESS everywhere, inclusive, through you. Then you can't help living humbly in wonder.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh Zen Bones

“Gutei raised his finger whenever he was asked a question about Zen. A boy attendant began to imitate him in this way. When anyone asked the boy what his master had preached about, the boy would raise his finger. Gutei heard about the boy’s mischief. He seized him and cut off his finger. The boy cried and ran away. Gutei called and stopped him. When the boy turned his head to Gutei, Gutei raised up his own finger. In that instant the boy was enlightened.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“13. Un Buda En Tokyo, en la era Meiji, vivían dos destacados maestros de características opuestas. Uno de ellos, Unsho, instructor de la secta Shingon, observaba escrupulosamente los preceptos budistas. Jamás tomaba bebidas embriagadoras ni comía después de las once de la mañana. El otro maestro, Tanzan, profesor de filosofía en la Universidad Imperial, jamás observaba los preceptos. Cuando le apetecía comer, comía, y cuando tenía ganas de echarse a dormir en pleno día, lo hacía. Un día Unsho visitó a Tanzan, quien estaba bebiendo vino, del cual se supone que ni una sola gota debe entrar en contacto con la lengua de un budista. –Hola, hermano –le saludó Tanzan–. ¿Quieres tomar un vaso? –¡Jamás bebo! –exclamó Unsho solemnemente. –Quien no bebe ni siquiera es humano –replicó Tanzan. –¿Es posible que me llames inhumano sólo porque no tomo líquidos embriagadores? –dijo Unsho, encolerizado–. Entonces, si no soy humano, ¿qué es lo que soy? –Un Buda –respondió Tanzan.”
― Paul Reps, 101 cuentos zen (Narrativa Clásica)

“Wherever satisfaction is found, in whatever act, actualize this.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“When there is no place for Zen in the head of our generation, it is in grievous trouble.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“Mamiya concentrated upon what the sound of one hand might be. “You are not working hard enough,” his teacher told him. “You are too attached to food, wealth, things, and that sound. It would be better if you died. That would solve the problem.” The next time Mamiya appeared before his teacher he was again asked what he had to show regarding the sound of one hand. Mamiya at once fell over as if he were dead. “You are dead all right,” observed the teacher. “But how about that sound?” “I haven’t solved that yet,” replied Mamiya, looking up. “Dead men do not speak,” said the teacher. “Get out!” 43.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings

“When the mouth opens All are wrong.”
― Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection Of Zen And Pre-Zen Writings