Top 7 Quotes & Sayings by Sheng-yen

Explore popular quotes and sayings by Sheng-yen.

Last updated on November 8, 2024.

Sheng Yen, born Zhang Baokang, was a Taiwanese Buddhist monk, religious scholar, and writer. He was one of the mainstream teachers of Chan Buddhism. He was a 57th generational dharma heir of Linji Yixuan in the Linji school and a third-generation dharma heir of Hsu Yun. In the Caodong lineage, Sheng Yen was a 52nd-generation Dharma heir of Dongshan Liangjie (807-869), and a direct Dharma heir of Dongchu (1908–1977).

December 4, 1930 - February 3, 2009

Source: Wikipedia

In meditation, silently and serenely, all words are transcended. In Illumination, all things appear as is. Silence is the ceasing of ego-grasping. Illumination is the functioning of the wonder of wisdom. The unity of these two is awakening to Buddha Nature.

Sheng-yen

Be soft in your practice. Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall. Follow the stream, have faith in its course. It will go on its own way, meandering here, trickling there. It will find the grooves, the cracks, the crevices. Just follow it. Never let it out of your sight. It will take you.

Sheng-yen