Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Dharma is not upheld by talking about it. Dharma is upheld by living in harmony with it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True understanding of dharma comes from practicing it, not just discussing it.
This quote emphasizes that the principles of dharma, or moral law, are best understood and upheld through one's actions rather than mere words. Gautama Buddha suggests that living in alignment with these ethical values fosters a deeper connection to them, and that personal experience and harmony with dharma is what truly sustains its essence.
Themes
DharmaActionsHarmonyLivingPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a meditation retreat, I reminded participants that 'Dharma is not upheld by talking about it, but by living in harmony with it.'
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
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