It took me forty years of dealing with buddhism to finally realize that actually Buddha's discovery was happiness and bliss.
Interpretation
The essence of Buddha's teachings centers on achieving happiness and bliss through understanding.
In this quote, Robert Thurman reflects on his lengthy journey with Buddhism, suggesting that the fundamental revelation of Buddha is not merely enlightenment or philosophy, but rather the attainment of true happiness and bliss. This sentiment emphasizes that the ultimate purpose of spiritual exploration and practice is to discover inner joy and contentment, which aligns with the core teachings of Buddhism.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth and spirituality.
The tradition of nonviolence, optimism, concern for the individual, and unconditional compassion that developed in Tibet is the culmination of a slow inner revolution, a cool one, hard to see, that began 2,500 years ago with the Buddha's insight about the end of suffering. What I have learned from these people has forever changed my life, and I believe their culture contains an inner science particularly relevant to the difficult time in which we live.
Nonviolence against humans cannot take firm hold in society as long as brutality and violence are practiced toward other animals.
People are afraid that if they let go of their anger and righteousness and wrath, and look at their own feelings-and even see the good in a bad person-they're going to lose the energy they need to do something about the problem. But actually you get more strength and energy by operating from a place of love and concern. You can be just as tough, but more effectively tough.
Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the greatest teachers of our time. He reaches from the heights of insight down to the deepest places of the absolutely ordinary.
Those caught in the cycle of self-concern suffer helplessly, while the compassionate are more free and, implicitly, more happy.
The Buddhists think that, because we've all had infinite previous lives, we've all been each other's relatives. Therefore all of you, in the Buddhist view, in some previous life ... have been my mother - for which I do apologize for the trouble I caused you.
I'm always wary of the lessons of the past. There's a lot of past out there, and you can draw whatever lessons you want.
The greatest genius will not be worth much if he pretends to draw exclusively from his own resources
The desire of glory is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise.
Patience is...clearly not fatalistic, shoulder-shrugging resignation. It is the acceptance of a divine rhythm to life; it is obedience prolonged. Patience stoutly resists pulling up the daisies to see how the roots are doing.
No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.
If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs, and blaming you. The world will be yours and everything in it, what's more, you'll be a man, my son.
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