Buddha's World

Buddhist quotes from various traditions

When the student is ready, the Master appears.
Buddhist Proverb
Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a polluted mind, suffering will follow you, as the wheels of the oxcart follow the footsteps of the ox. Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a pure mind, happiness will follow you, as a shadow clings to a form.
The Buddha
Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveller passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown. None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and weariness will overtake you and you will be denied the joy that comes from labour´s end. Speak quietly and kindly and be nor forward with either opinions or advice If you talk much this will make you deaf to what others say and you should know that there are few so wise that they can not learn from others Be near when help is needed but far when praise and thanks are being offered. Take small account of might , wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead nurture love within you and strive to be a friend to all. Truly compassion is a balm for many wounds. Treasure silence when you find it and while being mindful of your duties set time aside to be alone with yourself. Cast off pretence and self-deception and see yourself as you really are. Despite all appearance no one is really evil. They are led astray by ignorance. If you ponder this truth always you will offer more light rather than blame and condemnation. You, no less than all beings, have Buddha Nature within. your essential mind is pure. Therefore when defilement causes you to stumble and fall, let not remorse nor dark fore-Bonding cast you down. Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on. Faith is like a lamp and wisdom it is that makes the flame burn bright. Carry this lamp always and in good time the darkness will yield and you will abide in light.
Dhammawadaka
"The teacher, or the spiritual friend, enters your system much as medicine is injected into your veins. According to the tradition, this is known as planting the heart of enlightenment in your heart. It is transplanting the full moon into your heart.  Can you imagine the full moon coming through your living room window and coming closer and suddenly entering your heart? On the one hand, unless you are terribly resentful, usually it is a tremendous relief: "Phew. The full moon has entered my heart." That's great, wonderful. On the other hand, however, when that particular full moon has entered into your heart, when it's transplanted into your heart, you might have a little panic. "Good heavens, what have I done? There's a moon in my heart. What am I going to do with it? It's too shiny!" By the way, once that moon has entered your heart, it cannot be a waning moon. It never wanes. It is always waxing."
Chogyam Trungpa
"it's not necessary to try to become your true self. you can't be anything else. it's impossible to be other than what we truly are - and what we are changes moment to moment. but because our tendency to grasp is so strong, it may take us some time to learn to trust and relax into our unfixed nature. ego wants to be substantial and special, and it will try to possess each new realization and insight. when ego grasps at the gains we've made, we will suffer the consequences. most of us fall into this trap many times before finally seeing that grasping is futile and admitting to ourselves, 'ah, maybe i really am zero, nothing special!' when we make practice our life, we can expect to encounter many traps and sticking places. yet we can make this an honorable part of our practice by remaining watchful and letting go each time we become stuck. by returning to zero again and again, we gradually close the gap and actualize our unfathomable true nature."
Genpo Roshi, the path of the human being
To be is to become: but the world has committed itself to being, delights only in being; yet wherein it delights brings fear, and what it fears is pain. Now this Life Divine is lived to abandon pain.
(Udana III, 10)
"How is it Master Gotama, is suffering of one's own making?"
"Do not put it like that, Kassapa"
"Then is suffering of another's making?"
"Do not put it like that, Kassapa"
"Then is suffering both of one's own and another's making?"
"Do not put it like that, Kassapa"
"Then is suffering neither of one's own nor of another's making but fortuitous?"
"Do not put it like that, Kassapa"
"Then is there no suffering?"
"It is not a fact that there is no suffering: there is suffering, Kassapa"
"Then does Master Gotama neither know nor see suffering?"
"It is not a fact that I neither know nor see suffering; I both know and see suffering, Kassapa"
From the Samyutta Nikaya 12:17 translation by Bhikkhu Nanamoli
Speak the truth; yield not to anger; if asked, give even a little. By these three steps a man reaches the presence of the gods.
The sages who injure none, and who always control their body attain the changeless state; therein is no grief.
All taints disappear when a man is vigilant, studious day and night, and strives after Nirvana.
This is an old saying, O Atula; it is not of this day only. "They blame him who sits silent, they blame him who talks much, they blame him who speaks moderately in measured terms." There is not any one in the world who is not blamed.
There never was, nor will be, nor is there now to be found any one who stands wholly praised or utterly condemned.
But the man whom the discerning always praise, because he is without blemish, wise, endowed with both knowledge and virtue, who would dare to blame such a one? He is like a coin of gold from the Jambu river. Even the gods praise him, even by Brahmâ he is praised.
The Dhammapada
More quotations from the Buddhist tradition:
Zen Quotes - Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes - Quotes on Love