Shundo Aoyama > Quotes

“Whether a dewdrop is on a flower or a heap of dung, the morning light sparkles on it just the same.”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential Buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness

“At the beginning of zazen meditation, when all is still, the sound of the valley stream is loud and clear. When we pace slowly after meditation, to ease leg pains and drowsiness, the sound of the stream seems to be less audible. When zazen is completed, the sound cannot be heard at all. Why should this be?”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness

“HEARING THE VOICE OF THE VALLEY STREAM THE WATER OF THE VALLEY STREAM is always flowing. It races on, not pausing for even an instant. Its sound, to me, is the sound of time. The water of time glistens on the riverbed of the universe. Though theirs is a much slower flow, stones, trees, houses, and towns are flowing too. Human beings and all things that have life flow. Thought and culture, too, flow. That all these appear to be unchanging is but illusion.”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness

“Life goes on without regard to our partial or selfish desires. Accordingly, joy and anger, sadness and happiness, love and hate, and all kinds of thoughts and emotions are woven together. If everything, including misfortune, illness, and failure, is unconditionally accepted as it is, then all experience may be constructively enjoyed.”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness

“When we perceive joy, anger, happiness, and sorrow as enriching our lives, just as rocks and tree roots and water spray embellish nature, then we are able to accept whatever happens and live like flowing water, without clinging to anything.”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness

“give unconditionally, saying, “You are free to throw it out or give it away. It is enough that you have accepted it.”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness

“This shell is not of my own making. Borrowing it from heaven and earth, I live out each and every day.”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness

“A moon without clouds is disappointing.”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness

“Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941), “May my loving you not become a burden to you, for I have freely chosen to love you.”
― Shundo Aoyama, Zen Seeds: 60 Essential buddhist Teachings on Effort, Gratitude, and Happiness