Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous. We experience joy in the actual act of giving something. And we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given.
If a man can control his body and mind and thereby refrains from eating animal flesh and wearing animal products, I say he will really be liberated.
May I hold myself in compassion. May I meet the suffering and ignorance of others with compassion.
Inner freedom is not guided by our efforts; it comes from seeing what is true.
Dignity and quiet joy in all that we do are the expression of perfect concentration and perfect wisdom.
When giving to others do not linger on thoughts of a giving, what was given, or the one who has received.
When a man is stimulated by his own thoughts, full of desire and dwelling on what is attractive, his craving increases even more. He is making the fetter even stronger. But he who takes pleasure in stilling his thoughts, practising the contemplation of what is repulsive, and remaining recollected, now he will make an end of craving, he will snap the bonds of Mara. His aim is accomplished, he is without fear, rid of craving and without stain. He has removed the arrows of changing existence. This is his last body.
A person creates what they defend against.
Follow the way of virtue. Follow the way joyfully through this world and on beyond.
I will not look at another's bowl intent on finding fault: a training to be observed.
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. It can be argued that peace and happiness comes from the subjective internalised perspective of realizing things could be worse and being grateful they aren't. The alternative view that peace and happiness comes from the objective external perspective of having more and better things than at present, while important for growth, can be a never-ending source of jealousy, dissatisfaction and disappointment. A balance of the two, where people are grateful for what they have while striving for more seems the best blended perspective.
How can one ever know anything if they are too busy thinking?
If a traveller does not meet with one who is his better, or his equal, let him firmly keep to his solitary journey; there is no companionship with a fool.
Remember, the greatest gift to give people your enlightenment, to share it. It has to be the greatest.
The fool is his own enemy. Seeking wealth, he destroys himself. Seek rather the other shore.
Words do not express thoughts very well; every thing immediately becomes a little different, a little distorted, a little foolish. And yet it also pleases me and seems right that what is of value and wisdom of one man seems nonsense to another.
A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him. Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!
Beware of the anger of the body. Master the body. Let it serve truth. Beware of the anger of the mouth. Master your words. Let them serve truth. Beware of the anger of the mind. Master your thoughts. Let them serve truth.
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little
She who knows life flows, feels no wear or tear, needs no mending or repair.
There are having flowers in Spring, breezes in Summer, moon in Autumn, snows in Winter. If there is nothing worrying over you, it will be the best seasons at all times.
When I was a young man, near the beginning of my life, I looked around with true mindfulness and saw that all things are subject to decay.
Do not say anything harsh: what you have said will be said back to you.
Karma grows from our hearts. Karma terminates from our hearts.
Suffering does not befall him who is without attachment to names and forms.
