Buddhist Wisdom: March 2008 Archives

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...