Kentetsu Takamori Quotes

Unless you progress a step or a half-step more than yesterday, you haven't really lived today.

If you are fortunate enough to enjoy great success, you should never forget the spirit of the beginner, and not grow indolent and arrogant.

Knowing life's purpose would invest everything one did with meaning.

No one should ever despair because the entrance to his or her chosen career path is clogged. There is an ancient saying: The persistent drip wears through stone.

Amida's unimpeded light is the sun of wisdom that destroys the mind of darkness.
(Preface in Teaching, Practice, Faith, Enlightenment)

A Seed Not Planted Cannot Grow
Hidden in every success story are tears.
A seed that is not planted cannot grow. People ignorant of this fundamental law of cause-and-effect are greatly to be pitied.

On the Brevity of Our Ties
Ties in this world last only for a time. We are husband and wife, parent and child, for a short period only. Once this reality sinks in, we cannot help treasuring each moment of our brief association.

The painful sea of birth-and-death knows no bounds.
We have long been submerged.
Only the ship of Amida's Vow
will take us aboard and carry us across without fail.
(Hymns on the Masters)

Change irritation to appreciation
Patience doesn't just happen, but must be cultivated. It is all a matter of attitude.

Change yourself, and others will follow.

Many Buddhist temple priests regard their parishioners as possessions and fear their departure as a diminishing of assets.

How wonderful it would be if people did all they could for one other without seeking anything in return! One should never remember a kindness done, and never forget a kindness received.

Absent a sense of the preciousness of one's own life, why respect the life of anyone else?

Everyone makes mistakes. Whether we put our mistakes to use depends on how deeply we reflect on our actions. It is desirable to reflect until the tears come.
- On Self-Reflection -

Greed kills us all.