This simple directive offers a clear path to inner peace and moral integrity. It suggests that by calming the incessant chatter of the mind, one can naturally achieve a state of emotional and ethical purity, promoting tranquility.
Quote by Han Shan: “If your mind is quiet, then your heart will naturally be pure.”
If your mind is quiet, then your heart will naturally be pure.
Insight
Historical Context
As a figure associated with Zen and Taoist thought, Han Shan's poetry often contained direct instructions on achieving inner harmony. His teachings emphasized meditation and detachment as means to cultivate a serene and clear mind.
Verify source / Learn moreAbout the Author
Tang dynasty Chinese hermit poet of the eighth or ninth century, known by the name of the cold mountain in Zhejiang province where he reportedly lived in a cave. His poems, written on rocks and trees according to legend, were collected by a government official and have been enormously influential in Chan Buddhism and Zen art. Gary Snyder's translations made Han Shan's work widely known in twentieth-century America.
View all quotes by Han Shan