The ordinary mind is the Way.

What it means

Zhaozhou asked his teacher Nanquan what the Way was. The answer: nothing special, just the everyday mind that eats, walks and works. Stop chasing extraordinary states and pay attention to this one.

The source

"The ordinary mind is the Way." Nanquan said it in Wumenguan 19. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"泉云。平常心是道。"

Original Chinese, Wumenguan 19. 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 "The ordinary mind is the Way." mean?

Zhaozhou asked his teacher Nanquan what the Way was. The answer: nothing special, just the everyday mind that eats, walks and works. Stop chasing extraordinary states and pay attention to this one.

Who said "The ordinary mind is the Way."?

Nanquan (6th–13th century). Source: Wumenguan 19.

What is the original Chinese?

泉云。平常心是道。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "The ordinary mind is the Way." on a shirt?

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

"The ordinary mind is the Way." (Nanquan, Wumenguan 19, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/the-ordinary-mind-is-the-way