Buddhist Quotes - Page 33

If you are a Buddhist, inspire yourself by thinking of the bodhisattva. If you are a Christian, think of the Christ, who came not to be served by others but to serve them in joy, in peace, and in generosity. For these things, these are not mere words, but acts, which go all the way, right up to their last breath. Even their death is a gift, and resurrection is born from this kind of death. (157)

Beneath the sophistication of Buddhist psychology lies the simplicity of compassion. We can touch into this compassion whenever the mind is quiet, whenever we allow the heart to open.

I was exposed to a mix of cultures, lots of different religions and beliefs. I was a spiritual kid and went to Indian powwows and Buddhist temples. But over a period of time, with reading and thinking, I started to feel it was all so absurd: The whole idea of life after death is ridiculous.

Marvelous oriental pace he's got, just like a Buddhist statue.

Whenever anyone, Buddhist or not, sees a Temple or an image of Buddha they receive blessings.

One of the ideas that runs through this book [Lincoln in the Bardo] is this Buddhist notion that the mind is incredibly powerful; not the brain but the mind.

Science is reaching the conclusions that we had been taught through the Tibetan Buddhist experience.

But when one masters this wretched desire, which is so hard to overcome, then one's sorrows just drop off, like a drop of water off a lotus.

Cut down the forest, not just a tree. Out of the forest of desire springs danger. By cutting down both the forest of desire and the brushwood of longing, be rid of the forest, bhikkhus.

Long is the night to him who is awake; long is a mile to him who is tired; long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law.

For one who is a learner and who has not yet come to master their mind, but who dwells aspiring for peace from that which binds, making it a matter concerning himself, I know of no other thing as helpful as giving close attention to the mind.

Whoever makes love grow boundless, and sets his mind for seeing the end of birth, his fetters are worn thin. If he loves even a single being, Good will follow. But the Noble One with compassionate heart for all mankind, generates abounding good.

If a man going down into a river, swollen and swiftly flowing, is carried away by the current - how can he help others across?

As the fletcher whittles and makes straight his arrows, so the master directs his straying thoughts.

Don't rely on logic alone, nor speculation. Don't infer or be deceived by appearances.

Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue, in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy.

Speak only endearing speech, speech that is welcomed. Speech, when it brings no evil to others, is pleasant.

Being generous and kindly in speech, doing a good turn for others, and treating all alike. One like this will be praised.

Both formerly and now, it is only suffering that I describe, and the cessation of suffering.

Do not be thoughtless, always be mindful, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the path of evil, like an elephant sunk in mud.

When watching after yourself, you watch after others. When watching after others, you watch after yourself.

These teachings are like a raft, to be abandoned once you have crossed the flood. Since you should abandon even good states of mind generated by these teachings, How much more so should you abandon bad states of mind!

A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune, from sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed, from fear liberated - this is the greatest blessing.

The Ill-directed mind can do to you even worse

Just as gold is burnt, cut and rubbed, Examine my words carefully and Do not accept them simply out of respect