Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
A wise man, recognizing that the world is but an illusion, does not act as if it is real, so he escapes the suffering.
When others put you down for who you are or what you're doing, it just means that you're going in the right direction.
Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.
If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.
By not knowing, not hoping to know and not acting like we know what's happening, we begin to access our inner strength.
Better than a meaningless story of a thousand words is a single word of deep meaning which, when heard, produces peace.
Why do what you will regret? Why bring tears upon yourself? Do only what you do not regret, And fill yourself with joy.
Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
Our enemies provide us with a precious opportunity to practice patience and love. We should have gratitude toward them.
One who is wise and disciplined, always kind and intelligent, humble and free from pride. One like this will be praised.
According to Zen Buddhist cosmology there are ten thousand different states of mind to view and understand life through.
Follow not after the vain, understand the ills of sense pleasures. One who is vigilant and meditative, obtains deep joy.
Like a lovely flower full of color but lacking in fragrance, are the words of those who do not practice what they teach.
the buddhists say there are 149 ways to god. i'm not looking for god, only for myself, and that is far more complicated.
Of all footprints, that of the elephant is supreme. Similarly, of all mindfulness meditations, that on death is supreme.
According to the Buddhist belief, you can go on and on indefinitely, so you see your life as just a brief moment in time.
There is a buddhist proverb which I like a lot. It says: "Every body deserves mercy". That means that every body is holy.
Compassion practice is daring. It involves learning to relax and allowing ourselves to move gently toward what scares us.
If by leaving a small pleasure one sees a great pleasure, let a wise man leave the small pleasure, and look to the great.
According to Buddhist psychology most of our troubles stem from attachment to things that we mistakenly see as permanent.
Being generous and kindly in speech, doing a good turn for others, and treating all alike. One like this will be praised.
The Buddha gave his first talks, and three or four ascetics became his first disciples. They recognized his enlightenment.
By whomsoever no evil is done in deed, or word, or thought, him I call a Brahmin (holy man) who is guarded in these three.
As any good Buddhist will tell you, the only way to find permanent joy is by embracing the fact that nothing is permanent.
I don't call myself a Buddhist. I'm a free spirit. I believe I'm here on earth to admire and enjoy it; that's my religion.
Of what I know, I have told you only a little. Why have I not told you the rest? Because it would not lead you to Nirvana.
That which you give to another will become your own sustenance; if you light a lamp for another, your own way will be lit.
Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.
Radiate boundless love towards the entire world - above, below, and across - unhindered, without ill will, without enmity.
Western Tibetan Buddhists are always looking out there at the distant snow peaks and they lose the flowers along the path.
What is evil? There is no such thing. In Buddhism we don't recognize evil and therefore we don't give it any power over us.
There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed.
The mind of an enlightened human being is flexible and adaptable. The mind of the ignorant person is conditioned and fixed.
So war and peace start in the human heart. Whether that heart is open or whether that heart closes has global implications.
Whatever the hateful do to the hateful, or an enemy to an enemy, worse is the harm of a misguided mind directed at oneself.
A sick body with a good heart is more beneficial to future lives than a fit, healthy body that is used for self-cherishing.
The goal of Buddhism is to create Buddhas, not Buddhists, as the goal of Christianity is to create Christs, not Christians.
Don't use Buddhism to become a Buddhist. Use Buddhism to become better at whatever else in your life you are doing already.
From craving arises sorrow, from craving arises fear, but he who is freed from craving has no sorrow and certainly no fear.
But for the first time, I had a religious identity. I had come home. And so I called myself a Zen Buddhist at the age of 18.
Even offering three hundred bowls of food three times a day does not match the spiritual merit gained in one moment of love.
We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act.
Confidence is the willingness to be as ridiculous, luminous, intelligent, and kind as you really are, without embarrassment.
Ultimately one must abandon the path to enlightenment. If you still define yourself as a Buddhist, you are not a buddha yet.
If you let cloudy water settle, it will become clear. If you let your upset mind settle, your course will also become clear.
When there's a disappointment, I don't know if it's the end of the story. It may just be the beginning of a great adventure.
Buddhism leads you to the awareness that all things are holy. Everything is holy. The dark has its own light, in other words.
One act of pure love in saving life is greater than spending the whole of one's time in religious offerings to the gods . . .
In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for truth and have begun striving for ourselves.
I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.