Zen sayings on the present moment
It is a simple idea and a hard one to live: this moment is the only one there is to work with. These sayings point at what is directly in front of you, whether that is pleasant, uncomfortable or entirely ordinary.
Every day is a good day.
Yunmen, Blue Cliff Record, case 6
Not every day is pleasant. Ask what would make this one good anyway.
In spring, hundreds of flowers. In autumn, the moon. In summer, a cool breeze. In winter, snow. If your mind is not clouded by useless things, this is the best season of your life.
Wumen Huikai, The Gateless Gate, case 19
Name one good thing about this exact season, where you are.
One time, one meeting.
Japanese tea saying (ichi-go ichi-e)
This exact moment with this exact person will not come again. Bring that to your next conversation.
A man chased by a tiger caught hold of a vine and hung over a cliff. Below, another tiger waited. Two mice began to gnaw the vine. Beside him he saw a wild strawberry. He picked it. How sweet it tasted.
Traditional Zen parable
The tigers are always there. So is the strawberry. What is sweet right now?
A monk asked, "Why did Bodhidharma come from the west?" Zhaozhou said, "The cypress tree in the courtyard."
The Gateless Gate, case 37
The answer was whatever was plainly there. Look up and name one thing you can see.
A monk asked, "How can we escape the cold and the heat?" Dongshan said, "When it is cold, be completely cold. When it is hot, be completely hot."
Blue Cliff Record, case 43
Whatever today's discomfort is, stop bracing against it for a minute and feel it fully.
Master Mazu was unwell. The temple steward asked, "How is your health these days?" Mazu said, "Sun-faced Buddha, moon-faced Buddha."
Blue Cliff Record, case 3
Good days and bad days are both days. How is your health today, exactly as it is?
Medicine and sickness cure each other. The whole earth is medicine. What is your self?
Yunmen, Blue Cliff Record, case 87
What ordinary thing near you could be medicine today: a window, a glass of water, a walk?
Two monks argued over a flag. One said the flag was moving. The other said the wind was moving. Huineng said, "Not the wind, not the flag. Mind is moving."
The Gateless Gate, case 29
The next time something irritates you, look for what is actually moving.
Firewood becomes ash. It cannot turn back into firewood.
Dogen, Genjokoan
Each moment is complete in itself. This one will not come back. Be here for it.
This day will not come again. Each minute is worth a priceless gem.
Takuan Soho
Spend one minute today as carefully as you would spend a gem.
Jingqing asked a monk, "What is that sound outside the gate?" The monk said, "The sound of raindrops."
Blue Cliff Record, case 46
Listen to one sound until it is only sound, without its name.
Mazu and Baizhang saw wild ducks fly overhead. "Where have they gone?" asked Mazu. "They have flown away," said Baizhang. Mazu twisted Baizhang's nose. Baizhang cried out in pain. "When did they ever fly away?" said Mazu.
Blue Cliff Record, case 53
The mind runs after what has gone. What is here instead?
This very place is the Lotus Land. This very body is the Buddha.
Hakuin, Song of Zazen
Stop waiting to be somewhere better. Look around where you are.
Awakening is like the moon reflected in water. The moon does not get wet, and the water is not broken.
Dogen, Genjokoan
Even a puddle holds the whole moon. Small moments can hold a great deal.
