BUDDHIST WISDOM

[Pravin Kumar]

Subhuti, do not think that when one gives rise to the highest, most fulfilled, awakened mind one needs to see all objects of mind as nonexistent, cut off from life. Please do not think in that way. One who gives rise to the awakened mind does not deny objects or say that they are nonexistent. One who gives rise to the awakened mind should know that what is called a self or a person, a living being or a life span, is not so in essence but only in concept. The names self, person, living being, or life span are names only. Subhuti, you should know that all the things of the world are like this, and you should have confidence in their essence without names.

- Diamond Sutra

By telling the truth; by not growing angry; by giving, when asked, no matter how little you have: by these three things you enter the presence of devas.

- Dhammapada, 17, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu


 Compassion is the willingness to play in the field of dreams even though you are awake.

- Matthew Flickstein, "Swallowing the River Ganges"

Better than if there were thousands of meaningless words is one meaningful word that on hearing brings peace.

- Dhammapada, 8, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Tung-shan was asked, "The normal mind is the way; what is the normal mind?" He replied, "Not picking things up along the road."


More Buddhism Quotes

To learn the path it is important to be sharp yet inconspicuous. When you are sharp, you are not confused by people; when you are inconspicuous, you dont contend with people. Not being confused by people, you are empty and spiritual; not contending with people, you are serene and subtle.

- Liao-an

The Buddha was asked: "To what extent can a person be a speaker of the way?" He answered: "If a person teaches the way in order to transcend the tyranny of material things and to teach how to transcend feelings, perceptions, impulses, and consciousness--teaching nonattachment with regard to these--then that person can be called a speaker of the way. If he is himself trying to transcend the pull of the material world and to feel nonattachment toward it, then it is fitting to say he is living in accordance with the way. If he is liberated by this transcendence and nonattachment, then you can say he has found nirvana here and now.

- Samyutta Nikaya

It is often though that the Buddha's doctrine teaches us that suffering will disappear if one has meditated long enough, or if one sees everything differently. It is not that at all. Suffering isn't going to go away; the one who suffers is going to go away.

- Ayya Khema, "When the Iron Eagle Flies"

See it as a bubble, See it as a mirage; One who regards the world this way the King of Death doesn't see. Come, look at this world all decked out like a royal chariot, where fools plunge in, while those who know don't cling.

- Dhammapada 13, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu


He knows in every way beings passing away, and their re- arising; unattached, awakened, well-gone: hes what I call a Brahmin.

- Dhammapada, 419, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"I am not, I will not be. I have not, I will not have." That frightens all the childish And extinguishes fear in the wise.

- Nagarjuna, "Precious Garland

Ashamed of what's not shameful, not ashamed of what is, beings adopting wrong views go to a bad destination. Seeing danger where there is none, and no danger where there is, beings adopting wrong views, go to a bad destination.

- Dhammapada, 22, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu