禅Kanzan Egen

saying

Practice Over Institutional Prestige

Teachings of Kanzan Egen

Kamakura

Traditionally attributed

Text

What use is a grand temple if the monks within it do not practice? A thatched hut where one person sits in genuine zazen is worth more than a thousand golden halls full of idle monks. Do not be impressed by titles, lineage certificates, or temple rank. The only thing that matters is whether you have seen into your own nature. If you have not, then all your robes and ceremonies are just playing dress-up.

license: public_domain

Attribution

Lineage: Rinzai

Sources

No per-field confidence has been recorded for this teaching yet. Treat individual claims with the caution appropriate to the source list below.

Attribution status: traditional — see editorial policy for what this means.

1 supporting citation on record (see Sources above).

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