the world, our sangha

“I take refuge in the place for learning the truth, which is every place.”
– A Thousand Hands of Compassion

“You must realize that, your husband, your wife, or your children who give you hard time are Buddha who is trying to teach you. Don’t have preconception of Buddha. Buddha is not just a golden statue set high in the Dharma hall whom you always lit a candle or offer incense to. Buddha is very close to us. Try to think that our family, neighbor, friends and parents are Buddha.”
– Seon Master Beopjung

“The trees, water, air, birds, and so on can all be members of our sangha. A beautiful walking path may be part of our sangha. A good cushion can be also. We can make many things into supportive elements of our sangha.”
– Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

“What is this? How can spring rooster’s crow be the answer to the question of truth? If you hear the rooster crow in spring correctly, then you will know the meaning of life clearly.”
– Seon Master Seung Sahn

“Which one is my True nature in Three Worlds? There is one single pure object, which is my Original Self. Flowers blossom and leaves fall but it has one root. The sun and moon rise and fall but leaves no traces.”
– Seon Master Haeam

“There is teaching that, “The leaf returns to the root.” It means the fallen leaf will return to the root of that tree. The nature of returning to the essence is the teaching that Nature gives. The work and effort to return to one’s essence is the purpose of Buddhism.”
– Seon Master Wolha

“Bul, refers to the fundamental source of every single life, including even a blade of grass, and the second syllable, gyo, refers to learning from each other; we communicate with each other through speech, mind, and actions. So the word ‘Buddhism’ means communicating with each other through the foundation, the fundamental source of life, and through that, listening to each other and learning from each other.”
– Seon Master Daehaeng Sunim, ‘No River to Cross’

“Say only the Truth and convey only the Teaching. That is the work of brightening the world with Buddha’s teaching. You need to be the leader and guide to a brighter world. All of you have reason for being in this world.”
– Seon Master Gosan

“If you completely understand how mind works and are able to combine your mind with others’ minds, and if you are able to deepen your wisdom and continue to practice, then you can combine your mind with even the great stars of the heavenly realm. When you can do this, the heavenly realm becomes peaceful and comfortable, and in turn this world also becomes peaceful and comfortable.”
– Seon Master Daehaeng Sunim 
 

Link: Most quotes from here
Images: This pagoda is at Hwaeom Temple, in the Jiri Mountains.