Whatever you are doing, twenty-four hours a day, in all your various activities, there is something that transcends the Buddhas and Zen Masters; but as soon as you want to understand it, it's not there. As soon as you try to gather your attention on it, you have already turned away from it. That is why I say you see but cannot do anything about it. - Foyan (1067–1120) Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

It has been asked,"How should those who enter thepath apply their minds?"All things are originally uncreatedAnd presently undying.Just let your mind be free;You don't have to restrain it.See directly and hear directly;Come directly and go directly.When you must go,Then go.When you must stay,Then stay.This is the true path.A scripture says, "Conditionalexistence is the site of enlightenment,insofar as you know it as it really is." - Niu-t'ou Hui-chung (683-769) Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

The great way of the buddhas is profound, wondrous, inconceivable; how could its practice be easy? Have you not seen how the ancients gave up their bodies and lives, abandoned their countries, cities, and families, looking upon them as shards of tile? After that they passed eons living alone in the mountains and forests, bodies and minds like dead trees; only then did they unite with the way. Then they could use the mountains and rivers for words, raise the wind and rain for a tongue, and exp... Read Full Story

A dog barking and the sound of water;Peach blossoms heavy with dew.In these deep woods, deer can be seen;At noon along the stream, I hear no bell.Wild bamboo divides gray clouds;Waterfalls hang from blue peaks.No one knows where you’ve gone;Disheartened, I lean against a second,Now a third pine. - Li Po Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

Cherry blossoms filling the ground,Sunset filling my eyes:Blossoms vanished, spring old, I feel the passing years.When blossoms were at their finest I neglected to call.The blossoms did not betray me.I betrayed the blossoms. - Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672) Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

Right among the people coming and goingI have a place to stayI shut the gate even in the daytimeAnd feel as though I had boughtWo-chu the great mountainAnd had it with me in town.Never since I was born have ILiked to argue, mouth full of blood.My mouth is made fast to heaven and earthSo the universe is still. - Muso Soseki (1275-1351) Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

A monk asked Fuketsu: `Without speaking, without silence, how can you express the truth?' Fuketsu observed: `I always remember spring-time in southern China. The birds sing among innumerable kinds of fragrant flowers.' Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

Vast and spacious, like sky and waterMerging during autumn, like snow and moon having the same colorthis field is without boundary,beyond direction, magnificently one entitywithout edge or seam. - Hongzhi (1091-1157) Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

A man of the Way comes rapping At my brushwood gate,Wants to discuss the essentials of Zen experience.Don't take it wrong if this mountain monk'sToo lazy to open his mouth:Late spring warblers singing their heart out,A village of drifting petals. - Jakushitsu Genko (1290-1367) Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Read Full Story

The great way of the Buddhas is profound, wondrous, inconceivable; how could its practice be easy? Have you not seen how the ancients gave up their bodies and lives, abandoned their countries, cities, and families, looking upon them as shards of tile? After that they passed eons living alone in the mountains and forests, bodies and minds like dead trees; only then did they unite with the way. Then they could use the mountains and rivers for words, raise the wind and rain for a tongue, and exp... Read Full Story