Be master wherever you are, and wherever you stand is true.

What it means

Linji tells his students not to be pushed around by circumstances or by other people's ideas. Take charge of your own seeing in whatever situation you are in. Then any place becomes the right place.

The source

"Be master wherever you are, and wherever you stand is true." Linji said it in Record of Linji, instructing the assembly. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"爾且隨處作主，立處皆真"

Original Chinese, Record of Linji, instructing the assembly. Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

The Zen masters (6th–13th century). Bodhidharma, Huineng, Linji, Zhaozhou, Yunmen, Wumen and Dogen: the Chan and Zen teachers whose sayings, koans and records shaped the school of sudden awakening. Our lines are translated from the Chinese and Japanese originals.

Questions

What does "Be master wherever you are, and wherever you stand is true." mean?

Linji tells his students not to be pushed around by circumstances or by other people's ideas. Take charge of your own seeing in whatever situation you are in. Then any place becomes the right place.

Who said "Be master wherever you are, and wherever you stand is true."?

Linji (6th–13th century). Source: Record of Linji, instructing the assembly.

What is the original Chinese?

爾且隨處作主，立處皆真. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Be master wherever you are, and wherever you stand is true." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Be master wherever you are, and wherever you stand is true." (Linji, Record of Linji, instructing the assembly, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/be-master-wherever-you-are-and-wherever-you