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The judgment: You are now before Yama, King of the Dead. In vain will you try to...deny or conceal the evil deeds you have done. ... the mirror in which Yama seems to read your past is your own memory, and also his judgment is your own. It is you yourself who pronounce your own judgment.
Gautama Buddha
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Interpretation

What this quote means

We are ultimately accountable for our actions, as our memories reflect our true selves.

This quote emphasizes the idea that we cannot escape the consequences of our actions, as our memory serves as a mirror that reflects our past deeds. Yama, the King of the Dead, symbolizes the inevitable judgment we face, which is not imposed by an external authority but rather arises from our own self-awareness and conscience, highlighting personal responsibility for our choices.

Themes

JudgmentMemorySelf-ReflectionResponsibilityConscience

In practice

Example use cases

During a philosophy lecture discussing personal accountability and the nature of judgment.

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