Li Ching-Yuen Quotes & Sayings

Before I had studied Zen for thirty years,
I saw mountains as mountains,
and waters as waters.
When I arrived at a more intimate knowledge, I came to the point where I saw that mountains are not mountains,
and waters are not waters.
But now that I have got its very substance
I am at rest.
For it's just that
I see mountains once again as mountains,
and waters once again as waters. — Li Ching-Yuen

Retain a calm heart, sit like a turtle, walk swiftly like a pigeon, and sleep like a dog — Li Ching-Yuen

We can hold back neither the coming of the flowers nor the downward rush of the stream; sooner or later, everything comes to its fruition. — Li Ching-Yuen

Every day, mindful practice. When the mind is disciplined then the Way can work for us. Otherwise, all we do is talk of Tao; everything is just words; and the world will know us as its one great fool. — Li Ching-Yuen