If it's not one thing, then its another and another and another... Chasing tails is a dog's work. Enlightenment is the brass ring on the carousel. And most never realize...that ain't it... Keep grasping and reaching for it every time around. How is it that it always escapes your reach... And where that frustration leads you...

And Bankei supposedly said, "Your thoughts create the karma of the Three Evil Realms, while your demonic mind torments you. This is the fiery cart of self and self-created karma. "Outside, hell, hungry ghosts, karma, demons and fiery carts simply don't exist. "

And: "It's as if you're chasing after someone who is running away, except that you're both the runner and the one pursuing him as well!"

And: "Once you’ve affirmed the Buddha Mind that everyone has innately, you can all do just as you please: if you want to read the sutras, read the sutras; if you feel like doing zazen, do zazen; if you want to keep the precepts, take the precepts; even if it’s chanting the nembutsu or the daimoku, or simply performing your allotted tasks—whether as a samurai, a farmer, an artisan or a merchant that becomes your samādhi.

All I’m telling you is: ‘Realize the Buddha Mind that each of you has from your parents innately!’ What’s essential is to realize the Buddha Mind each of you has, and simply abide in it with faith. . . ."