Takuan Soho Quotes

#1. The Buddha and all sentient beings are not two.

Takuan Soho

#2. Zen is to have the heart and soul of a little child.

Takuan Soho

#3. One may explain water, but the mouth will not become wet. One may expound fully on the nature of fire, but the mouth will not become hot.

Takuan Soho

#4. When this No-Mind has been well developed, the mind does not stop with one thing nor does it lack any one thing. It appears appropriately when facing a time of need.

Takuan Soho

#5. When you look at a tree, se it for its leafs, its branches, its trunk and the roots, then and only then will you see the tree

Takuan Soho

#6. Preoccupied with a single leaf, you won't see the tree.
Preoccupied with a single tree, you'll miss the entire forest.

Takuan Soho

#7. Sever the edge between before and after.

Takuan Soho

#8. If you follow the present-day world, you will turn your back on the Way; if you would not turn your back on the Way, do not follow the world.

Takuan Soho

#9. One does not divine this by impressions or knowledge. What this means is that no matter how much you try to figure or calculate by means of impressions or knowledge, it will not prove the least bit useful. Therefore, separate yourself from the discrimination of figuring things out.

Takuan Soho

#10. Completely forget about the mind and you will do all things well

Takuan Soho

#11. It is the very mind itself that leads the mind astray - of the mind, do not be mindless

Takuan Soho

#12. When one practices discipline and moves from the beginner's territory to immovable wisdom, one makes a return and falls back to the level of the beginner.

Takuan Soho

#13. One is not likely to achieve understanding from the explanation of another.

Takuan Soho