Where your mind stops for a moment, this is called the bodhi tree, [the site of enlightenment]. Your mind being unable to stop is called the tree of … - Linji Yixuan

In my view, there are no things to despise and avoid. If you love what’s holy, [I remind you:] ‘holy’ is just a name. There are some students who go to Mt. Wutai to look for Mañjuśrī [there in his legendary abode]. Already they are in error: there is no Mañjuśrī on Mt. Wutai. Do you want to know Mañjuśrī? This functioning here right before your eyes has never been any different [from Mañjuśrī], To have no doubts anywhere—this is the living Mañjuśrī. In the moment of non-differentiating light in your mind, the real Samanta-bhadra is everywhere. When in a moment of mind you can free yourself from bondage, and be liberated wherever you are, this is Avalokiteśvara. In the teaching of samādhi, [these three bodhisattvas] take turns as central figure and companions. When they come forth, it is for a certain period. Each one is all three and all three of them are one. Only when you understand like this can you read the scriptures properly.

In my view, there are no buddhas and no sentient beings, no ancient and no modern. Those who attain, attain without cultivation, without realization, without gain, and without loss, for them there is never anything else but reality. ‘Even if there is anything that goes beyond this, I would say that it is like a dream or a magical illusion.’ This is what I am saying.

The local officials invited Linji to preach. Linji went up to the teaching hall and said: “Today I have no alternative but to bend to human sentiment—thus I have ascended to this seat [to preach]. By the standards of the Zen school, when you attempt to extol the great matter [of enlightenment], you simply cannot open your mouth. There’s no place for you to get a foothold.”