Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Those who are pure in heart and single in purpose are able to understand the most supreme Way. It is like polishing a mirror, which becomes bright when the dust is removed. Remove your passions, and have no hankering.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Purity of heart and a focused purpose lead to a deep understanding of the true nature of reality.
This quote from Gautama Buddha emphasizes the importance of having a pure heart and a singular focus in order to achieve true understanding and enlightenment. It compares this process to polishing a mirror; just as a mirror shines when its dust is cleaned away, a person's understanding becomes clearer when they eliminate distractions and desires that cloud their perception. The removal of passions and attachments allows for a deeper connection to the essential truths of existence.
Themes
PurityUnderstandingEnlightenmentFocusTruth
In practice
Example use cases
In a meditation group, to emphasize the importance of inner clarity.
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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