Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Abstain from all sinful, unwholesome actions, perform only pious wholesome ones, purify the mind; this is the teaching of enlightened ones
Interpretation
What this quote means
Choose virtuous actions and cultivate a pure mind to follow the path taught by enlightened beings.
This quote emphasizes the importance of moral conduct and mental purity in attaining enlightenment and spiritual growth. It suggests that one should avoid sinful and harmful actions while actively engaging in virtuous and wholesome behaviors, which ultimately lead to a clearer mind and a deeper understanding of life, as taught by spiritual leaders like Gautama Buddha.
Themes
BuddhismVirtuePurificationMindfulnessEnlightenment
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation retreat, this quote can inspire participants to focus on their thoughts and actions.
More from Gautama Buddha
All quotes →A kind man who makes good use of wealth is rightly said to possess a great treasure; but the miser who hoards up his riches will have no profit.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Make an island of yourself, make yourself your refuge; there is no other refuge. Make truth your island, make truth your refuge; there is no other refuge.
Gautama BuddhaRead
When a wise man is advised of his errors, he will reflect on and improve his conduct. When his misconduct is pointed out, a foolish man will not only disregard the advice but rather repeat the same error.
Gautama BuddhaRead
The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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