Awa Kenzō Quotes

“And if I tried to give you a clue at the cost of your own experience, I should be the worst of teachers and should deserve to be sacked!”

“Be not defeated by the rain.”

“If you want to win, practice virtue. If you win with virtue, your opponent buries himself.”

“Self-reflection encourages great bravery. Rationalization is your greatest enemy.”

“Archery is not an art, it is a Way.”

“Each shot can make or break you; each shot reveals you as a living buddha or bumbling fool.”

“Forging your spirit is to become empty, and to focus on your center.”

“If you are upset or nervous, that is proof you lack something. Do not be sad or gloomy - foster virtue, feel compassion, and you can save even devils.”

“Nature does not strive, it acts exactly when it intends to.”

“No matter what the art, the most important thing is to establish who you really are. That is, move from the ego-centered self to the absolute self.”

“The basis of our Great Way is nature. If you can truly comprehend nature, the Bow will be easy to master.”

“The Way of the Bow is to manifest your self Buddha-nature and arrive at the ultimate.”

“To attain the Way is to manifest the Way.”

“To become empty is to become one with the divine — this is the Way.”

“Trust in the practice of the Way of the Bow.”

“When you practice the Way, it is not just training in technique; it is spiritual forging.”

“You and your bow must come together as one; that act is divine. The unity of instrument and self is divine. There is no bow, no arrow, no you.”

“You suffer because you’re not true to yourself.”