Zen sayings on work and daily life
Zen has never kept practice apart from everyday life. Again and again its teachers answer large questions with small tasks: wash the bowl, carry the water, drink the tea. These sayings are about finding the practice in whatever is already in your hands.
Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
Zen saying
Nothing about the task changes. What changes is whether you are there for it. Pick one chore today and do only that.
A monk said, "I have just entered the monastery. Please teach me." Zhaozhou asked, "Have you eaten your rice porridge?" "I have." "Then wash your bowl."
The Gateless Gate, case 7
The teaching is the next small thing in front of you. What is your bowl right now?
A day without work is a day without food.
Baizhang Huaihai
Baizhang kept working in the fields into old age. Practice and daily effort were not two things for him.
When hungry, eat. When tired, sleep.
Zen saying
Simple, and rarely done. Eat one meal today without a screen.
Zhaozhou asked a newcomer, "Have you been here before?" "No." "Have a cup of tea." He asked another. "Yes, I have." "Have a cup of tea."
Sayings of Zhaozhou
Newcomer or old hand, the invitation is the same. Make a drink and only drink it.
Zhaozhou asked, "What is the Way?" Nanquan said, "Ordinary mind is the Way."
The Gateless Gate, case 19
Nothing special is required. Sit as you are, in the mood you are in.
Walking is Zen, sitting is Zen. Speaking or silent, moving or still, the essence is at peace.
Yongjia, Song of Enlightenment
Practice is not confined to a cushion. Choose one short walk today and let it be the practice.
A monk asked, "What is Buddha?" Dongshan said, "Three pounds of flax."
The Gateless Gate, case 18
Dongshan answered with what was in his hands. What is in yours?
My miraculous power and spiritual activity: drawing water and carrying firewood.
Layman Pang
The original of "chop wood, carry water". What is your miracle today?
Just be ordinary, nothing special. Relieve yourself, put on your clothes, eat your food, and lie down when you are tired.
Linji, The Record of Linji
Do one ordinary thing today without trying to make it special.
A monk asked Yunmen, "What is the meditation that is in every single thing?" Yunmen said, "Rice in the bowl, water in the bucket."
Blue Cliff Record, case 50
Everything is already in its place. Notice one thing today exactly where it is.
A rival boasted that his teacher could perform miracles. Bankei said, "My miracle is that when I am hungry, I eat, and when I am thirsty, I drink."
Traditional story of Bankei
Find one ordinary miracle in your day and give it your full attention.
When you walk, just walk. When you sit, just sit. Above all, don't wobble.
Zen saying
Pick one thing today and do it without half your mind somewhere else.
