Pain is inevitable, suffering is not.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Mindfulness in Plain English
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm St., Somerville MA 02144 U.S.A, www.wisdompubs.org.
Another shortcoming of desire is that it leads to so much that is undesirable.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche, "The Door to Satisfaction"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm St., Somerville MA 02144 U.S.A, www.wisdompubs.org.
It is better to spend one day contemplating the birth and death of all things than a hundred years never contemplating beginnings and endings.
-Buddha
From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day", by William Wray, 2004. Reprinted by arrangement with Arcturus Publishing, London. Book available in the U.S. through Barnes & Noble, www.bn.com
Mind cannot see itself-
Subject and object cannot be dual;
Therefore, to see the mind
You must look and probe with the eye of wisdom.
When probed and examined analytically
With such analytic investigation
The mind is like the wick of a lamp
Illumined only through its own radiance.
-Milarepa, "Drinking the Mountain Stream: Songs of Tibet’s Beloved Saint"
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc.
Genuine compassion is unbiased.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Even as a great rock is not shaken by the wind, the wise man is not shaken by praise or blame. -Buddha From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day", by William Wray, 2004. Reprinted by arrangement with Arcturus...
If there were any object, any doctrine, that could be given to you to hold on to or understand, it would reduce you to bewilderment and externalism. It’s just a spiritual openness, with nothing that can be grasped; it is...
Enlightenment--that magnificent escape from anguish and ignorance--never happens by accident. It results from the brave and sometimes lonely battle of one person against his own weaknesses. -Bhikkhu Nyanasobhano, "Landscapes of Wonder" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365...
Even as a great rock is not shaken by the wind, the wise man is not shaken by praise or blame. -Buddha From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day", by William Wray, 2004. Reprinted by arrangement with Arcturus...
Don't strain. Don't force anything or make grand, exaggerated efforts. Meditation is not aggressive. There is no place or need for violent striving. Just let your effort be relaxed and steady. -Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Mindfulness in Plain English" Copyright Wisdom...
If you are confused, there are a thousand differentiations, ten thousand distinctions. If you are enlightened, everything is the same one family. -Wu-chien From "Teachings of Zen", edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998. By arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boston,...
All…phenomena are intrinsically void and yet this Mind with which they are identical is no mere nothingness. -Huang Po, “Zen Teaching of Huang Po” From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam, a division...
Loosened & oiled Are the joys of a person. People, bound by enticement, looking for ease: to birth & aging they go. -Dhammapada, 341, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu...
Actions motivated by attachment, aversion, or ignorance, regardless of any external appearances, are simply not Buddhist practices. -Lorne Ladner, "Wheel Of Great Compassion" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission...
Drinking the Dhamma, refreshed by the Dhamma, one sleeps at ease with clear awareness & calm. In the Dhamma revealed by the noble ones, the wise person always delights. -Dhammapada, 6, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu...
Buddha’s teachings are so simple and straightforward. If you find them complicated, it is only because you have made them so. You may think, “I have a Ph.D. and have amassed all this knowledge, yet I still can’t figure out...
As all things are buddha-dharma, there is delusion and realization, practice, and birth and death, and there are buddhas and sentient beings. As the myriad things are without an abiding self, there is no delusion, no realization, no buddha, no...
As a blind man feels when he finds a pearl in a dustbin, so am I amazed by the miracles of awakening rising in my consciousness. It is the nectar of immortality that delivers us from death, the treasure that...
Even though the training in ethics takes many forms, the ethics of abandoning the ten non-virtues is their basis. Of the ten non-virtues, three pertain to bodily actions, four to verbal actions, and three to mental actions. The three mental...
If you can forget both clamor and silence, you will surely understand the simultaneous realization of the absolute and the relative. -Lin-ch'uan From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com....
Blinded this world— how few see clearly! Just as birds who've escaped from a net are few, few are the people who make it to heaven. -Dhammapada 13, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu...
From the time there appears in this world one who has seen the truth, a fully awakened one, blessed by the truth, abounding in happiness, a teacher of wisdom and goodness, a buddha. He, by himself, thoroughly knows and sees...
Let there be nothing behind you; leave the future to one side. Do not clutch at what is left in the middle; then you will become a wanderer and calm. --Sutta Nipata From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations." edited by Jeff...
If the element of the truth seeker did not exist in everyone, There would be no turning away from craving, Nor could there be a longing for nirvana, Nor a seeking for it, nor a resolve to find it. --Visuddhi...
Hence, the purpose of the Holy Life does not consist in acquiring alms, honor, or fame, nor in gaining morality, concentration, or the eye of knowledge. That unshakable deliverance of the heart: that, indeed, is the object of Holy Life,...
Anger is the real destroyer of our good human qualities; an enemy with a weapon cannot destroy these qualities, but anger can. Anger is our real enemy. -His Holiness the Dalai Lama From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited by Mary...
If a man should conquer in battle a thousand and a thousand more, and another should conquer himself, his would be the greater victory, because the greatest of victories is the victory over oneself. -Buddha From Sayings of the Buddha:...
Every single thing arises from the evil mind, sang the Sage. So there is nothing dangerous in the three worlds other than the mind. -Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara" From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam,...
A gift of Dhamma conquers all gifts; the taste of Dhamma, all tastes; a delight in Dhamma, all delights; the ending of craving, all suffering and stress. -Dhammapada, 24, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu....
Don't cling to your own understanding. Even if you do understand something, you should ask yourself if there might be something you have not fully resolved, or if there may be some higher meaning yet. --Dogen From "The Pocket Zen...
Standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all these waking hours, let him establish mindfulness of good will, which men call the highest state! --Buddha From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day", by William Wray, 2004. Reprinted...
Delight in heedfulness. Watch over your own mind. Lift yourself up from the hard-going way, like a tusker sunk in the mud. -Dhammapada, 327, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu...
It is extremely important to investigate the causes or origins of suffering. One must begin that process by appreciating the impermanent, transient nature of our existence. All things, events and phenomena are dynamic, changing every moment, nothing remains static. Meditating...
Crookedness and truth (straightness) are in their nature opposite and cannot dwell together more than frost and fire; for one who has become religious, and practices the way of straight behavior, a false and crooked way of speech is not...
Nothing is born, nothing is destroyed. Away with your dualism, your likes and dislikes. Every single thing is just the One Mind. When you have perceived this, you will have mounted the Chariot of the Buddhas. -Huang Po, "Zen Teaching...
Before, this mind went wandering however it pleased, wherever it wanted, by whatever way that it liked. Today I will hold it aptly in check-- as one wielding a goad, an elephant in rut. -Dhammapada, 23, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu....
In the beginning mindfulness takes away worries and fears about past and future and keeps us anchored in the present. In the end it points to the right view of the self. --Ayya Khema, "Be an Island" Copyright Wisdom Publications...
It is precisely because our present life is so inseparably linked with desire that we must make use of desire’s tremendous energy if we wish to transform our life into something transcendental. -Lama Thubten Yeshe, Introduction to Tantra Copyright Wisdom...
If you don't understand the Way as it meets your eyes, how can you know the Path as you walk? -Shih-t'ou From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com....
If we unbalance Nature, human kind will suffer. Furthermore, we must consider future generations: a clean environment is a human right like any other. It is therefore part of our responsibility towards others to ensure that the world we pass...
Sakka asked: "What is the cause of self-interest?" The Buddha answered: "It is perception of the world as one's object." "How does one overcome this perception of the world as apart from oneself?" "By acting for the increase of goodness...
It is said that there are only two tragedies in life: not getting what one wants, and getting it. -Bhanta Henepola Gunaratana, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by...
Everywhere is the treasury of endless capacities of followers of the way. Everywhere is not everywhere; it is called everywhere. -Hui-k'ung From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com....
How could it be permissible to form a cult, gather followers and cronies, dash off writings, and toil in pursuit of objects for love of honor and advantage? -Tung-shan From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted...
How much of your life do you spend looking forward to being somewhere else? -Matthew Flickstein, "Journey to the Center" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications,...
Contrary to what some people might believe, there is nothing wrong with having pleasures and enjoyments. What is wrong is the confused way we grasp onto these pleasures, turning them from a source of happiness into a source of pain...
It is the enemy who can truly teach us to practice the virtues of compassion and tolerance. -The Dalai Lama...
Compassion is characterized as promoting the aspect of allaying suffering. Its function resides in not [enduring] others' suffering. It is manifested as non-cruelty. Its proximate cause is to see helplessness in those overwhelmed by suffering. It succeeds when it makes...
Going along in company together, a wise man Must mix with other foolish persons. But on seeing what is wrongful he abandons them. As a full-fledged heron leaves the marshy ground. -Udana 8.7 From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by...
From this point on you really know. This is called the pinnacle of Zen, the sovereignty of Zen. It is also called knowledge of what is knowable; it produces all the various states of meditation, and anoints the heads of...
From this point on you really know. This is called the pinnacle of Zen, the sovereignty of Zen. It is also called knowledge of what is knowable; it produces all the various states of meditation, and anoints the heads of...
Half the spiritual life consists in remembering what we are up against and where we are going. -Ayya Khema, "When the Iron Eagle Flies" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with...
Dwelling in kindness, a monk with faith in the Awakened One's teaching, would attain the good state, the peaceful state: stilling-of-fabrications ease. Monk, bail out this boat. It will take you lightly when bailed. Having cut through passion, aversion, you...
Greed, I say, is a great flood; it is a whirlpool sucking one down, a constant yearning, seeking a hold, continually in movement; difficult to cross is the morass of sensual desire. A sage does not deviate from truth, a...
Forming a new world religion is difficult and not particularly desirable. However, in that love is essential to all religions, one could speak of the universal religion of love. --His Holiness the Dalai Lama From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited...
Everything comes to pass, nothing comes to stay. --Matthew Flickstein, "Journey To The Center" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm St., Somerville MA 02144...
Desires achieved increase thirst like salt water. --Milarepa, "Drinking the Mountain Stream" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm St., Somerville MA 02144 U.S.A, www.wisdompubs.org....
Erroneous views keep us in defilement While right views remove us from it, But when we are in a position to discard both of them We are then absolutely pure. --The Sutra of Hui Neng From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations,"...
A petty officer often thinks of the rules; a seasoned general doesn't talk of soldiering. --Zen proverb From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com....
All beings tremble before violence. All fear death. All love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do? --Dhammapada 129-130 From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with...
Cut down The forest of desire, Not the forest of trees. From the forest of desire Come danger & fear. Having cut down this forest & its underbrush, monks, be deforested. -Dhammapada, 20, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu....
Dangerous consequences will follow when politicians and rulers forget moral principles. Whether we believe in God or karma, ethics is the foundation of every religion. --His Holiness the Dalai Lama From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited by Mary Craig, 2002....
"The results of karma cannot be known by thought, and so should not be speculated about. Thus, thinking, one would come to distraction and distress. "Therefore, Ananda, do not be the judge of people; do not make assumptions about others....
Abandoning malicious speech, he abstains from malicious speech; he does not repeat elsewhere what he has heard here in order to divide (those people) from these, nor does he repeat to these people what he has heard elsewhere in order...
Don't give way to heedlessness or to intimacy with sensual delight-- for a heedful person, absorbed in jhana, attains an abundance of ease. -Dhammapada, 2, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu....
Defiled by passion, the mind is not released. Defiled by ignorance, discernment does not develop. Thus from the fading of passion is there release of awareness. From the fading of ignorance is there release of discernment. -Anguttara Nikaya...
Fulfillment of desire is an illusion; desire leads to more desire, not satisfaction. --Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm...
Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In this case, your compassion will remain as a humane response to suffering as long as beings continue to suffer. --His Holiness the Dalai Lama From "The Pocket Dalai Lama,"...
Then the Buddha said to his monks, walk over the earth for the blessing of many, the happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare and the blessing and the happiness of gods and men. --Vinaya...
From contact comes feeling. From feeling comes reaction. This is what keeps us in the cycle of birth and death. Our reactions to our feelings are our passport to rebirth. -Ayya Khema, "Being Nobody, Going Nowhere" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001....
From passion arises sorrow and from passion arises fear. If a man is free from passion, he is free from fear and sorrow. --The Buddha From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day," by William Wray, 2004. Reprinted by...
What is meant by nonduality, Mahatmi? It means that light and shade, long and short, black and white, can only be experienced in relation to each other; light is not independent of shade, nor black of white. There are no...
Considering the harm others do to you As created by your former deeds, do not anger. Act such that further suffering will not be created And your own faults will disappear. --Nagarjuna, "Precious Garland" From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited...
Friends, I know nothing which brings suffering as does an untamed, uncontrolled, unattended and unrestrained heart. Such a heart brings suffering. --Anguttara Nikaya From "Teachings of the Buddha," edited by Jack Kornfield, 1993. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston,...
Going along in company together, a wise man Must mix with other foolish persons. But on seeing what is wrongful he abandons them. As a full-fledged heron leaves the marshy ground. --Udana 8.7 From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by...
Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so...
Adverse circumstances test our courage, our strength of mind, and the depth of our conviction in the Dharma. There is nothing exceptional about practicing Dharma in a good environment and atmosphere. The true test is if we can maintain our...
Describing his awakening, the Buddha said: "Coming to be, coming to be! Ceasing to be, ceasing to be! At that thought, monks, there arose in me a vision of things not before called to mind. Knowledge arose--such is form, such...
Enlightened by right views, we call forth the buddha within us. When our nature is dominated by the poisonous elements We are said to be possessed by Mara; But when right views eliminate from our mind these poisonous elements Mara...
Enlightenment is a way of saying that all things are seen in their intrinsic empty nature, their Suchness, their ungraspable wonder. Names or words are merely incidental, but that state which sees no division, no duality, is enlightenment. --Prajnaparamita From...
Consider movement stationary and the stationary in motion, both movement and rest disappear. When such dualities cease to exist Oneness itself cannot exist. To this ultimate finality no law or description applies. --Seng-tsan, "Verses on the Faith Mind" From "Teachings...
Develop the mind of equilibrium. You will always be getting praise and blame, but do not let either affect the poise of the mind: follow the calmness, the absence of pride. --Sutta Nipata From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by...
General standards of human rights apply to the people of all countries because, regardless of their cultural background, all humans share an inherent yearning for freedom, equality and dignity. Democracy and respect for fundamental human rights are as important to...
Crush your sense of self-allure like an autumn lily in the hand. Nurture only the path to peace --Unbinding-- as taught by the One Well Gone. -Dhammapada, 20, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu....
Even a strong wind is empty by nature. Even a great wave is just ocean itself. Even thick southern clouds are insubstantial as sky. Even the dense mind is naturally birthless. --Milarepa, "Drinking The Fountain Stream" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001....
Ch'eng-t'ien was asked, "How should I apply my mind twenty-four hours a day?" He replied, "When chickens are cold, they roost in trees; when ducks are cold, they plunge into water." The questioner said, "Then I don’t need cultivated realization,...
"In your seeing," he said, "there should be only the seeing. In your hearing, nothing but the hearing; in your smelling, tasting, and touching, nothing but smelling, tasting, and touching; in your thinking, nothing but the thought." --Khuddaka Nikaya From...
Half the spiritual life consists in remembering what we are up against and where we are going. --Ayya Khema, "When the Iron Eagle Flies" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with...
Half the spiritual life consists in remembering what we are up against and where we are going. --Ayya Khema, "When the Iron Eagle Flies" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with...
If you can cultivate the right attitude, your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance and develop tolerance, patience and understanding. --His Holiness the Dalai Lama From "The Pocket Dalai Lama,"...
Like a mirage in the springtime, the mind is found bewildered; animals imagine water but there is no reality to it. There is here nothing but thought construction, it is like an image in the air; when they thus understand...
Detach from all mental objects, stop all thoughts: do not let either good or bad thoughts enter your thinking, do not keep either Buddhist teachings or worldly phenomena in mind. --Huai-t'ang From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary,...
People who do not know how to practice the way therefore want to get rid of afflictions. Afflictions are originally void and null; you are trying to use the way to seek the way beyond. --Pao-chih From "The Pocket Zen...
Monks, there are these three roots of evil. What three? Lust is a root of evil, hate is a root of evil, delusion is a root of evil. These are the three roots of evil. --Itivuttaka From "365 Buddha: Daily...
If you want to avoid experiencing reversal, just cut off dualism; then measurements cannot govern you. You are neither Buddha nor sentient being; you are not near or far, not high or low, not equal or even, not going or...
Sitting peacefully on a cushion day and night seeking to attain Buddhahood, rejecting life and death in hopes of realizing enlightenment, is all like a monkey grasping at the moon reflected in the water. --Shoitsu From "The Pocket Zen Reader,"...
The realm of reality is as vast as cosmic space; it is the knowing mind of sentient beings that is small. Just as long as you do not become egotistic and selfish, you will be ever sated with the spiritual...
Patience is the sprouting of religion, firmness its root, good conduct is the flower, the enlightened heart the boughs and branches, wisdom supreme the entire tree, the "transcendent law" the fruit, its shade protects all living things. Say then! Why...
Birth is an expression complete this moment. Death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring. You do not call winter the beginning of spring, nor summer the end of spring. --Genjo Koan From "Teachings of...
The teaching about the way things are is not a way to enlightenment for someone who is still filled with desires or who still longs to be this or that. But those who do understand it will become beings of...
The you that goes in one side of the meditation experience is not the same you that comes out the other side. --Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Mindfulness in Plain English" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations,"...
Greed, I say, is a great flood; it is a whirlpool sucking one down, a constant yearning, seeking a hold, continually in movement; difficult to cross is the morass of sensual desire. A sage does not deviate from truth, a...
Compassion is the willingness to play in the field of dreams even though you are awake. --Matthew Flickstein, "Swallowing the River Ganges" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of...
Look at children. Of course they may quarrel, but generally speaking they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do. Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of...
That very seeing does not see Itself at all. How can something that cannot see itself See another? --Nagarjuna From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc....
From pure behavior comes self-power, which frees a man from (many) dangers; pure conduct, like a ladder, enables us to climb to heaven. --Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam, a division...
For some years now, students have not been getting to the root of the aim of Zen, instead taking the verbal teachings of Buddhas and Zen masters to be the ultimate rule. That is like ignoring a hundred thousand pure...
Seeing matter itself as emptiness produces great wisdom so one does not dwell in birth and death; seeing emptiness as equivalent to matter produces great compassion so one does not dwell in nirvana. --Yun-feng From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited...
Do not underestimate your ability. --Geshe Chekawa, "In Advice From a Spiritual Friend" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm St., Somerville MA 02144 U.S.A,...
I often see students who are narrow-minded, who gain a little bit in a limited context, with a limited perspective, and consider this enough, immediately insisting on stopping and resting. Eating their fill and sleeping, not taking care of anything...
Internal peace is an essential first step to achieving peace in the world. How do you cultivate it? It's very simple. In the first place by realizing clearly that all mankind is one, that human beings in every country are...
I observe the Buddha's treasury of light producing all oceans of lights: Whether sage or ordinary mortal, animate or inanimate being, none are not endowed with this body of light and openly demonstrating the function of this light. Root and...
I declare that the overcoming of clinging to the impurities of the world is possible for a person who knows and sees but not for a person who does not know or see. In the person who knows and sees,...
However innumerable beings are, I vow to save them. --One of the Four Vows of the Bodhisattva From Agape Love: A Tradition Found in Eight World Religions by Sir John Templeton, © 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Templeton Foundation Press,...
Before you begin meditation take several slow, deep breaths. Hold your body erect, allowing your breathing to become normal again. Many thoughts will crowd into your mind, ignore them, letting them go. If they persist be aware of them with...
As soon as you get some sense of contact, you want to be teachers of others. This is a big mistake. --Ta-sui From "The Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com....
Although wishing to be rid of misery, They run toward misery itself. Although wishing to have happiness, Like an enemy they ignorantly destroy it. --Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara" From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam,...
Just as in the autumn a farmer, ploughing with a large plough cuts through all the spreading rootlets as he ploughs; in the same way, bhikkhus, the perceiving of impermanence, developed and frequently practiced, removes all sensual passion…removes and abolishes...
Ordinary life and Buddhahood have no distinction. Great knowledge is not different from ignorance. Why should one seek outwardly for a treasure, when the field of the body has its own bright jewel? --Pao-chih, "The Nonduality of Buddhahood and Ordinary...
I see all the different religious traditions as paths for the development of inner peace, which is the true foundation of world peace. These ancient traditions come to us as a gift from our common past. Will we continue to...
Now you have seen the true doctrine, your guileless heart loves to exercise its charity, for wealth and money are inconstant treasures, ‘twere better quickly to bestow such things on others. --Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff...
Free from anger, duties observed, principled, with no overbearing pride, trained, a 'last-body': he's what I call a brahmin. Like water on a lotus leaf, a mustard seed on the tip of an awl, he doesn't adhere to sensual pleasures:...
Clearly, buddha-dharma is not practiced for one's own sake, and even less for the sake of fame and profit. Just for the sake of buddha-dharma you should practice it. All buddhas' compassion and sympathy for sentient beings are neither for...
Before enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water. After enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water. --Zen saying...
As long as there is a lack of the inner discipline that brings calmness of mind, no matter what external facilities or conditions you have, they will never give you the feeling of joy and happiness that you are seeking....
Don't cling to anything and don't reject anything. Let come what comes, and accomodate yourself to that, whatever it is. If good mental images arise, that is fine. If bad mental images arise, that is fine, too. Look on all...
Cut through five, let go of five, & develop five about all. A monk gone past five attachments is said to have crossed the flood. Practice jhana, monk, and don't be heedless. Don't take your mind roaming in sensual strands....
[P]assion is the cause of blindness, of not seeing, of not knowing, of loss of insight: it is joined with vexation, it does not conduce to Nibbâna. --Anguttara-Nikâya From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement...
Cut through five, let go of five, & develop five about all. A monk gone past five attachments is said to have crossed the flood. Practice jhana, monk, and don't be heedless. Don't take your mind roaming in sensual strands....
"I believe there is an important distinction to be made between religion and spirituality. Religion I take to be concerned with belief in the claims to salvation of one faith tradition or another--an aspect of which is acceptance of some...
Hidden in the mystery of consciousness, the mind, incorporeal, flies alone far away. Those who set their mind on harmony become free from the bonds of death. --Buddha From Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day, by William Wray,...
Conquer anger with lack of anger; bad, with good; stinginess, with generosity; a liar, with truth. -Dhammapada, 17, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu....
Honesty can be cultivated by transforming your inner language. For example, you might think: "I am no good" or "They are not good." Is this true? For some strange reason, people want to wallow in the idea of being either...
If we unbalance Nature, human kind will suffer. Furthermore, we must consider future generations: a clean environment is a human right like any other. It is therefore part of our responsibility towards others to ensure that the world we pass...
Every reality is eternal, every essence is as is: just don't seek outwardly. If you have a great root of faith, the buddhas are just states of your own experience; whether you are walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, never...
A head of gray hairs Doesn't mean one's an elder. Advanced in years, One's called an old fool. But one in whom there is Truth, restraint, Rectitude, gentleness, Self-control-- He's called an elder, His impurities disgorged, Enlightened. --Dhammpada, 19, translated...
"I come from the East, most of you [here] are Westerners. If I look at you superficially, we are different, and if I put my emphasis on that level, we grow more distant. If I look on you as my...
Meditation is like a single log of wood. Insight and investigation are one end of the log; calm and concentration are the other end. If you lift up the whole log, both sides come up at once. Which is concentration...
How, monks, does the practitioner remain established in the observation of the Four Noble Truths? A practitioner is aware, "This is suffering," as it arises. One is aware, "This is the cause of suffering," as it arises. One is aware,...
For those who are ready, the door To the deathless state is open. You that have ears, give up The conditions that bind you, and enter in. -Majjhima Nikaya From "The Pocket Buddha Reader," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2001. Reprinted...
Don't forget to bring the good experiences of meditation into your daily activities. Instead of acting and reacting impulsively and following your thoughts and feelings here and there, watch your mind carefully, be aware, and try to deal skillfully with...
Desires achieved increase thirst like salt water. -Milarepa, "Drinking the Mountain Stream" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm St., Somerville MA 02144 U.S.A, www.wisdompubs.org....
"If we can reach the understanding of what we actually are, there is no better remedy for eliminating all suffering. This is the heart of all spiritual practices." -Kalu Rinpoche, "Luminous Mind" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom:...
It is extremely important to investigate the causes or origins of suffering. One must begin that process by appreciating the impermanent, transient nature of our existence. All things, events and phenomena are dynamic, changing every moment, nothing remains static. Meditating...
The true principle is that even reality is not really real, and even falsehood is not unreal. It is not something calculable. Like space, it cannot be cultivated. If any intellectual fabrication occurs in the mind, then it is governed...
"Those who wish to guard their practice Should very attentively guard their minds For those who do not guard their minds Will be unable to guard their practice." --Santideva. “Bodhicaryavatara” From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations." edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted...
The buddha way is, basically, leaping clear of the many and the one; thus there are birth and death, delusion and realization, sentient beings and buddhas. --Dogen. "Actualizing the Fundamental Point" From "Teachings of the Buddha." edited by Jack Kornfield....
This mind and body is our household. If this inner household is not in order, no outer household can be in order. --Ayya Khema. "Being Nobody. Going Nowhere" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations." edited...
The whole of humanity is…one human family. This planet is our only home. --His Holiness the Dalai Lama From "The Pocket Dalai Lama." edited by Mary Craig. 2002. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications. Boston. www.shambhala.com....
If one is lonely neither in a crowd nor in the deep mountains. one is an able person who knows how to enjoy absolute freedom. --Jae Woong Kim. "Polishing The Diamond" Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365...
Before you begin meditation take several slow. deep breaths. Hold your body erect. allowing your breathing to become normal again. Many thoughts will crowd into your mind. ignore them. letting them go. If they persist be aware of them with...
The purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts. --His Holiness The Dalai Lama. "The Good Heart" Copyright Wisdom Publications...
The mighty ocean has but one taste. the taste of salt. Even so. the true way has but one savor. the savor of freedom. --Majjhima Nikaya From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000, Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications,...
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