Quotes on Buddhist

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

It is good to remember that the goal of Buddhism is to create Buddhas, not Buddhists, as the goal of Christianity is to create Christs, not Christians. In the same vein, my teachings are not meant to acquire followers or imitators, but to awaken beings to eternal truth and thus to awakened life and living.

The difference between theism and nontheism is not whether one does or does not believe in God. . . Theism is a deep-seated conviction that there's some hand to hold: if we just do the right things, someone will appreciate us and take care of us. . . Nontheism is relaxing with the ambiguity and uncertainty of the present moment without reaching for anything to protect ourselves.

If you want to be wisely selfish, care for others

The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve.

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.

Your breathing should flow gracefully, like a river, like a watersnake crossing the water, and not like a chain of rugged mountains or the gallop of a horse. To master our breath is to be in control of our bodies and minds. Each time we find ourselves dispersed and find it difficult to gain control of ourselves by different means, the method of watching the breath should always be used.

Meat is not agreeable to the wise: it has a nauseating odor, it causes a bad reputation, it is food for the carnivorous; I say this, Mahamati, it is not to be eaten.

The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.

One who is wise and disciplined, always kind and intelligent, humble and free from pride. One like this will be praised.

The fool who thinks he is wise is just a fool. The fool who knows he is a fool is wise indeed.

One should follow a man of wisdom who rebukes one for one's faults, as one would follow a guide to some buried treasure. To one who follows such a wise man, it will be an advantage and not a disadvantage.

With gentleness overcome anger. With generosity overcome meanness. With truth overcome deceit.

The world is afflicted by death and decay. But the wise do not grieve, having realized the nature of the world.

There is no satisfying the senses, not even with a shower of money. "The senses are of slight pleasure and really suffering." When a wise man has realised this, he takes no pleasure, as a disciple of the Buddhas, even in the pleasures of heaven. Instead he takes pleasure in the elimination of craving.

When sitting in meditation, say, "That's not my business!" with every thought that comes by.

There is no denying that consideration of others is worthwhile and that our happiness is inextricably bound up with the happiness of others. There is no denying that if society suffers, we ourselves suffer, and the more our hearts and minds are afflicted with ill-will, the more miserable we become. We can reject religion, ideology, received wisdom, but we cannot escape the need for love and compassion.

Wherever we go, wherever we remain, the results of our actions follow us.

Rising early and scorning laziness, remaining calm in time of strife, faultless in conduct and clever in actions. One like this will be praised.

If there is no other world and there is no fruit and ripening of actions well done or ill done, then here and now in this life I shall be free from hostility, affliction, and anxiety, and I shall live happily.