Sheng Yen > Quotes

“Do not ask for less responsibility to be free and relaxed--Ask for more strenght!”
― Master Chen Yen

“The journy of a thousand miles starts beneath your feet.”
― Master Sheng Yen

“The enlightened mind is like a bird in flight that leaves no trace of its path. People will say, “A bird just flew by.” In their mind, there is a trace of the bird’s path. This is attachment. For the enlightened practitioner, that moment is already gone—the bird has left no trace of its flight. Like the bird, from moment to moment the enlightened practitioner’s actions do not leave any trace.”
― Sheng Yen, The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination

“Virtuous man, contrived conceptualizations come from the existence of a mind, which is a conditioned [conglomeration of] the six sense objects. The conditioned impressions of deluded thoughts are not the true essence of mind; rather, they are like flowers in the sky. The discernment of the realm of Buddhahood with such conceptualization is comparable to the production of empty fruit by the empty flower. One merely revolves in this entanglement of deluded thoughts and gains no result.”
― Chan Master Sheng Yen, Complete Enlightenment

“To have self-esteem and to function in society, ordinary people usually place their mind on something; they need to identify themselves with something. People with the least spiritual capacity identify their minds with fame, fortune, and other kinds of self-benefit. People with mediocre spiritual capacity identify their minds with their family, career, and relations with others. People with high spiritual capacity generate compassion and place their minds on the benefit of others. Only people with the most superior spiritual capacity have no mind to place anywhere. This is like the ox, whose mind, while having no fixed agenda, is free to respond to circumstances.”
― Sheng Yen, The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination

“A prerequisite to progress on the path is to realize that you are ignorant.”
― Sheng Yen, Song of Mind: Wisdom from the Zen Classic Xin Ming

“One method for calming the mind is to contemplate the transient nature of our thoughts. When you are aware that your thoughts arise and perish of their own accord, there will be no need to be ruled or conditioned by them. Your mind will settle into observing them with detached awareness and your emotions will become even. If you can do this, you will soon be able to pacify your mind.”
― Sheng Yen, The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination

“Any method can settle the mind in the present moment, but with Silent Illumination you can be relieved of even the present moment. Just take this attitude: don’t worry about the past or the future, and let go of the present too. Just stay in awareness. Chan is called the “gateless gate” because it has no door to enlightenment.”
― Sheng Yen, The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination

“Blankness is similar to being asleep or unconscious. If that is all it takes to experience enlightenment, my job would be much easier. I would just walk behind each one of you and knock you unconscious with a big stick.”
― Sheng-yen, Song of Mind: Wisdom from the Zen Classic Xin Ming

“Those who do not have faith in others will not be able to stand on their own.”
― Sheng Yen

“Xin Ming, Origin is the present moment.”
― Sheng Yen, Song of Mind: Wisdom from the Zen Classic Xin Ming

“宇宙間的平衡是諸多因素運作維繫的，即使能運用神通力避免掉一些不好的事，也只不過是延遲他的發生而已。

同樣的因緣終究會以另一種面貌呈現出來。”
― Sheng-yen, Footprints in the Snow: The Autobiography of a Chinese Buddhist Monk

“I have found that we need to maintain relationships with all spheres of society: the local community, politicians from all parties, business leaders, artists, and farmers....We don't favor one kind of person over another, or one political party over another...My goal is for them to use the method and concept of Chan practice to benefit their work and their organizations....That is our duty.”
― Chan Master Sheng Yen