Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
By Buddha
The various features and aspects of human life, such as longevity, good health, success, happiness, and so forth, which we consider desirable, are all dependent on kindness and a good heart.
By Dalai Lama XIV
When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.
By Thich Nhat Hanh
FIRST keep thyself in peace, and then shalt thou be able to be a peacemaker towards others. A peaceable man doth more good than a well-learned. A passionate man turneth even good into evil and easily believeth evil; a good, peaceable man converteth all things into good. He who dwelleth in peace is suspicious of none, but he who is discontented and restless is tossed with many suspicions, and is neither quiet himself nor suffereth others to be quiet. He often saith what he ought not to say, and omitteth what it were more expedient for him to do. He considereth to what duties others are bound, and neglecteth those to which he is bound himself. Therefore be zealous first over thyself, and then mayest thou righteously be zealous concerning thy neighbour.
By Thomas Kempis
There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.
By Dalai Lama
I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.
By Dalai Lama
There is an old Tibetan saying: wherever you feel at home, you are at home. If your surroundings are pleasant, you are at home.
By Tenzin Gyatso
The true antidote to greed is contentment. If you have a strong sense of contentment, it doesn't matter whether you obtain the object of your desire or not. Either way, you are still content.
By Tenzin Gyatso
Human beings are of such nature that they should have not only material facilities but spiritual sustenance as well. Without spiritual sustenance, it is difficult to get and maintain peace of mind.
By Dalai Lama
Because we all share an identical need for love, it is possible to feel that anybody we meet, in whatever circumstances, is a brother or sister. No matter how new the face or how different the dress and behavior, there is no significant division between us and other people. It is foolish to dwell on external differences, because our basic natures are the same.
By Dalai Lama XIV
Those who are pure in heart and single in purpose are able to understand the most supreme Way. It is like polishing a mirror, which becomes bright when the dust is removed. Remove your passions, and have no hankering, and the past will be revealed to you.
By Buddha
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.
By Buddha
Anger or hatred is like a fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.
By Dalai Lama XIV
There is pleasure when a sore is scratched, But to be without sores is more pleasurable still. Just so, there are pleasures in worldly desires, But to be without desires is more pleasurable still.
By Nagarjuna
Those who have passions are never able to preceive the Way; for it is like stirring up clear water with hands; people may come there wishing to find a reflection of their faces, which, however, they will never see. A mind troubled and vexed with the passions is impure, and on that account it never sees the Way. O monks, do away with passions. When the dirt of passion is removed the Way will manifest itself.
By Buddha
Moral values, and a culture and a religion, maintaining these values are far better than laws and regulations.
By Swami Sivananda
All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it
By Thomas Kempis
The essence of love and compassion is understanding, the ability to recognize the physical, material, and psychological suffering of others, to put ourselves "inside the skin" of the other. We "go inside" their body, feelings, and mental formations, and witness for ourselves their suffering. Shallow observation as an outsider is not enough to see their suffering. We must become one with the subject of our observation. When we are in contact with another's suffering, a feeling of compassion is born in us. Compassion means, literally, "to suffer with."
By Thich Nhat Hanh
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
By Buddha
Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. This is not just a dream, but a necessity.
By Dalai Lama XIV
The world, indeed, is like a dream and the treasures of the world are an alluring mirage! Like the apparent distances in a picture, things have no reality in themselves, but they are like heat haze.
By Buddha
Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be acheived unless we first establish peace within our own minds. We can send so-called 'peacekeeping forces' into areas of conflict, but peace cannot be oppossed from the outside with guns. Only by creating peace within our own mind and helping others to do the same can we hope to achieve peace in this world.
By Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.
By Buddha
The main difference between us, Buddhism and other philosophies, is that we do not accept the notion of a living god, but rather that we are responsible for our future happiness.
By Tenzin Gyatso
The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful.
By Tenzin Gyatso
The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
By Buddha
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
By Dalai Lama XIV
No existents whatsoever are evident anywhere that are arisen from themselves, from another, from both, or from a non-cause.
By Nagarjuna
Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
By Lao Tzu
If others are happy, we will be happy. If others suffer, ultimately we all suffer.
By Tenzin Gyatso
To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.
By Buddha
Do not arouse disdainful mind when you prepare a broth of wild grasses; do not arouse joyful mind when you prepare a fine cream soup
By Dogen
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
By Buddha
I would not look upon anger as something foreign to me that I have to fight...I have to deal with my anger with care, with love, with tenderness, with nonviolence.
By Thich Nhat Hanh
On life's journey Faith is nourishment,
Virtuous deeds are a shelter,
Wisdom is the light by day and Right mindfulness is the protection by night.
If a man lives a pure life nothing can destroy him;
If he has conquered greed nothing can limit his freedom.
By Buddha
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
By Buddha
Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Follow the three R's:
- Respect for self.
- Respect for others.
- Responsibility for all your actions.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone everyday.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
By Dalai Lama XIV
All conditioned things are impermanent. Work out your own salvation with diligence
By Buddha
What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer.
By Thomas Kempis
Know that wealth, sex-delights, power, learning are all bondage. This is the beginning of wisdom
By Swami Sivananda
Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
By Buddha
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
By Lao-tzu
In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel "burnout" setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.
By Dalai Lama
Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be.
By Unknown
When things are desperate, there is no need to pretend that everything is beautiful.
By Tenzin Gyatso
All the problems of the world - child labor, corruption - are symptoms of a spiritual disease: lack of compassion.
By Tenzin Gyatso
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
By Buddha
There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed.
By Buddha
In the material world, there are limitations. We always want more, but in the spiritual world, just a short prayer and you're infinitely content.
By Tenzin Gyatso
Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.
By Buddha
Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighboring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.
By Dalai Lama XIV
Your own pain is involuntary; you feel overwhelmed and have no control. When feeling the pain of others, there is an element of discomfort, but there also is a level of stability because you are voluntarily accepting pain. It gives you a sense of confidence.
By Tenzin Gyatso
We discover that all human beings are just like us, so we are able to relate to them more easily. That generates a spirit of friendship in which there is less need to hide what we feel or what we are doing.
By Dalai Lama XIV
The logs of wood which move down the river together Are driven apart by every wave. Such inevitable parting Should not be the cause of misery
By Nagarjuna
Do not speak harshly to any one; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful: blows for blows will touch thee.
By Buddha
Do not confuse peace of mind with spaced-out insensitivity. A truly peaceful mind is very sensitive, very aware.
By Tenzin Gyatso
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
By Buddha
If we were able to maintain a calm and peaceful mind all day long, we would never experience any problems or mental suffering. If our mind remains peaceful all the time, then even if we are insulted, criticised or blamed or if we lose our job or our friends, we shall not become unhappy.
No matter how difficult the situation may become, for as long as we maintain a calm and peaceful mind the situation will not be a problem for us, there if we wish to be free from problems there is only one thing to do - learn to maintain a peaceful state of mind by practicing dharma sincerely and purely
By Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.
By Buddha
We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.
By Thomas Kempis
There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed.
By Buddha
Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise not blame.
By Thomas Kempis
Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers.
By Swami Sivananda
Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.
By Buddha
Right from the moment of our birth, we are under the care and kindness of our parents, and then later on in our life when we are oppressed by sickness and become old, we are again dependent on the kindness of others. Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on other's kindness, how can it be in the middle that we would neglect kindness towards others?
By Dalai Lama
If the truth shall have made thee free, thou shalt not care for the vain words of men
By Unknown
They are words of truth that can bring you to awakening
By Buddha
Everyone wants happiness; nobody wants to suffer. Many problems around us are a mental projection of certain negative or unpleasant things. If we analyze our own mental attitude, we may find it quite unbearable. Therefore, a well-balanced mind is very useful and we should try and have a stable mental state.
By Dalai Lama
If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.
By Thich Nhat Hanh
Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or nonbelieving, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones. We all experience pain when we suffer loss and joy when we achieve what we seek. On this fundamental level, religion, ethnicity, culture, and language make no difference.
By Dalai Lama XIV
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.
By Thich Nhat Hanh
The motivation of all religious practice is similar:
love, sincerity, honesty.
The way of life
of practically all religious persons
is consistent.
The teachings
of tolerance, love, and compassion
are the same.
By Dalai Lama XIV
On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.
By Buddha
If we think only of ourselves, forget about other people, then our minds occupy very small area. Inside that small area, even tiny problem appears very big. But the moment you develop a sense of concern for others, you realize that, just like ourselves, they also want happiness; they also want satisfaction. When you have this sense of concern, your mind automatically widens. At this point, your own problems, even big problems, will not be so significant. The result? Big increase in peace of mind. So, if you think only of yourself, only your own happiness, the result is actually less happiness. You get more anxiety, more fear.
By Dalai Lama XIV
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
By Buddha
When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original selves.
By Dogen
When we start out on a spiritual path we often have ideals we think we're supposed to live up to. We feel we're supposed to be better than we are in some way. But with this practice you take yourself completely as you are. Then ironically, taking in pain - breathing it in for yourself and all others in the same boat as you are - heightens your awareness of exactly where you're stuck.
By Pema Chodron
There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide. No matter what people call you, you are just who you are. Keep to this truth. You must ask yourself how is it you want to live your life. We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone. No one can help us, not even the Buddha. So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?
By Dalai Lama XIV
Compassion, forgiveness, these are the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life
By Tenzin Gyatso
Because we all share
an identical need for love,
it is possible to feel that
anybody we meet,
in whatever circumstances,
is a brother or sister.
By Dalai Lama XIV
To be kind, honest and have positive thoughts; to forgive those who harm us and treat everyone as a friend; to help those who are suffering and never to consider ourselves superior to anyone else: even if this advice seems rather simplistic, make the effort of seeing whether by following it you can find greater happiness.
By Dalai Lama XIV
When someone asks you a question, answer him or her sincerely, and when you are not asked, do not force your teaching upon others.
By Jae Woong Kim
As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery.
We have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace.
The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as
anger and attachment, fear and suspicion,
while love and compassion, a sense of universal responsibility
are the sources of peace and happiness.
By Dalai Lama
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.
By Dalai Lama XIV
But because many endeavor to get knowledge rather than to live well, they are often deceived and reap little or no benefit from their labor.
By Thomas Kempis
The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
By Buddha
Irrespective of whether we are believers or agnostics, whether we believe in God or karma, moral ethics is a code which everyone is able to pursue.
By Dalai Lama XIV
Unity can only be manifested by the Binary. Unity itself and the idea of Unity are already two.
By Buddha
A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching.
By Swami Sivananda
One of his students asked Buddha, "Are you the messiah?"
"No", answered Buddha.
"Then are you a healer?"
"No", Buddha replied.
"Then are you a teacher?" the student persisted.
"No, I am not a teacher."
"Then what are you?" asked the student, exasperated.
"I am awake", Buddha replied.
By Buddha
Live your daily life in a way that you never lose yourself. When you are carried away with your worries, fears, cravings, anger, and desire, you run away from yourself and you lose yourself. The practice is always to go back to oneself.
By Thich Nhat Hanh
The more you are motivated by Love, The more Fearless & Free your action will be.
By Dalai Lama XIV
Keep yourself a stranger and pilgrim upon earth, to whom the affairs of this world are of no concern
By Unknown
Human beings are not intrinsically selfish, which isolates us from others. We are essentially social animals who depend on others to meet our needs. We achieve happiness, prosperity and progress through social interaction. Therefore, having a kind and helpful attitude contributes to our own and others' happiness.
By Dalai Lama
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
By Dalai Lama
'Is this what you have in mind,' I asked the Dalai Lama, 'when you say in teachings that the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the world are the most selfish beings of all, that by cultivating altruism they actually achieve ultimate happiness for themselves?'
Yes. That's wise selfish,' he replied. 'Helping others not means we do this at our own expense. Not like this. Buddhas and bodhisattvas, these people very wise. All their lives they only want one thing: to achieve ultimate happiness. How to do this? By cultivating compassion, by cultivating altruism.
By Dalai Lama XIV
There are twenty difficult things to attain in this world:
1. It is hard for the poor to practice charity.
2. It is hard for the strong and rich to observe the Way.
3. It is hard to disregard life and go to certain death.
4. It is only a favoured few that get acquainted with a Buddhist sutra.
5. It is hard to be born in the age of the Buddha.
6. It is hard to conquer the passions, to suppress selfish desires.
7. It is hard not to hanker after that which is agreeable.
8. It is hard not to get into a passion when slighted.
9. It is hard not to abuse one's authority.
10. It is hard to be even-minded and simple hearted in all one's dealings with others.
11. It is hard to be thorough in learning and exhaustive in investigation.
12. It is hard to subdue selfish pride.
13. It is hard not to feel contempt toward the unlearned.
14. It is hard to be one in knowledge and practice.
15. It is hard not to express an opinion about others.
16. It is by rare opportunity that one is introduced to a true spiritual teacher.
17. It is hard to gain an insight into the nature of being and to practice the Way.
18. It is hard to follow the way of a saviour.
19. It is hard to be always the master of oneself.
20. It is hard to understand thoroughly the Ways of Buddha.
By Buddha
A good motivation is what is needed: compassion without dogmatism, without complicated philosophy; just understanding that others are human brothers and sisters and respecting their human rights and dignities. That we humans can help each other is one of our unique human capacities.
By Dalai Lama XIV
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.
By Buddha
'He insulted me, he cheated me, he beat me, he robbed me.' Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
By Buddha
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
By Buddha
I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness…
By Dalai Lama
Afflictive emotions - our jealousy, anger, hatred, fear - can be put to an end. When you realize that these emotions are only temporary, that they always pass on like clouds in the sky, you also realize they can ultimately be abandoned.
By Tenzin Gyatso
Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
By Buddha
Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighbouring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free. True peace with oneself and with the world around us can only be achieved through the development of mental peace. The other phenomena mentioned above are similarly interrelated. Thus, for example, we see that a clean environment, wealth or democracy mean little in the face of war, especially nuclear war, and that material development is not sufficient to ensure human happiness.
By Tenzin Gyatso
Good men and bad men differ radically. Bad men never appreciate kindness shown them, but wise men appreciate and are grateful. Wise men try to express their appreciation and gratitude by some return of kindness, not only to their benefactor, but to everyone else.
By Buddha
People are too serious. All the time, too serious.
By Tenzin Gyatso
Every single being, even those who are hostile to us, is just as afraid of suffering as we are, and seeks happiness in the same way we do. Every person has the same right as we do to be happy and not to suffer. So let's take care of others wholeheartedly, of both our friends and our enemies. This is the basis for true compassion.
By Dalai Lama XIV
Love is the capacity to take care, to protect, to nourish. If you are not capable of generatng that kind of energy toward yourself- if you are not capable of taking care of yourself, of nourishing yourself, of protecting yourself- it is very difficult to take care of another person. In the Buddhist teaching, it's clear that to love oneself is the foundation of the love of other people. Love is a practice. Love is truly a practice. [Shambhala Sun March 2006 ]
By Thich Nhat Hanh
Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.
By Buddha
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.
By Thomas Kempis
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
By Buddha
In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.
By Thich Nhat Hanh
There is something good in all seeming failures. You are not to see that now. Time will reveal it. Be patient.
By Swami Sivananda
Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.
By Buddha
Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves
By Nagarjuna
The very purpose of religion is to control yourself, not to criticize others. Rather, we must criticize ourselves. How much am I doing about my anger? About my attachment, about my hatred, about my pride, my jealousy? These are the things which we must check in daily life.
By Dalai Lama
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
By Buddha
We live in illusion and the appearance of things. There is a reality. We are that reality. When you understand this, you see that you are nothing, and being nothing, you are everything. That is all.
By Kalu Rinpoche
Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
By Buddha
Smiling is very important. If we are not able to smile, then the world will not have peace. It is not by going out for a demonstration against nuclear missiles that we can bring about peace. It is with our capacity of smiling, breathing, and being peace that we can make peace.
By Thich Nhat Hanh
Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment.
By Dogen
We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.
By Buddha
