The purpose of studying buddhism is not to study buddhism but to study ourselves. It is impossible to study ourselves without some teaching… We need some teaching, but just by studying the teaching alone, it is impossible to know what ‘I’ in myself am. Through the teaching we may understand our human nature. But the teaching is not we ourselves; it is some explanation of ourselves. So if you are attached to the teaching, or to the teacher, you should leave the teacher, and you should be independent. You need a teacher so that you can become independent. If you are not attached to him[her], the teacher will show you the way to yourself.

Shunryu Suzuki

from the book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Read a random quote or see all quotes by Shunryu Suzuki.

Further quotes from the book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind:

• The weeds you have in your mind
• Little by little
• Just to live
• Belief based on a self-centered idea
• Open to all the possibilities
• Your last moment
• The posture itself
• The quality of zazen will express itself
• Wisdom seeking wisdom
• Calmness in activity
• Empty and ready mind
• The teaching of transiency
• Opening up our small mind
• The awareness that you are here
• Weed
• Nothing outside yourself can cause any trouble
• Accepting change
• Do not be bothered by anything
• Beginner’s mind
• Spacious control