Many with a yellow robe on their necks are of evil disposition and uncontrolled. Evil-doers on account of their evil deeds are born in a woeful state.
— Buddha
Monthly Archives: Aug 2014
My doctrine is to follow whatever proves correct under examination by reason, and to shun all that does not agree with reason.
— Shantarakshita
If a man has compassion, he is Buddha; without compassion, he is Lord of Death, with compassion, the root of Dharma is planted; without compassion, the root of Dharma is rotten. One with compassion is kind even when angry; one without compassion kills even as he smiles… With compassion, one has all Dharmas; without compassion, one has no Dharma at all… Therefore, all of you, renunciants and householders, cultivate compassion and you will achieve Buddhahood.
— Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol
We should constantly straighten our views to harmonize with the Truth, and not bend the Truth to suit our views.
— Buddha
Some sutras are not recognized by sectarian Buddhists as authoritative because they are not included in their own scriptural collections. But are only their own sutras authoritative? Or should what the Buddha taught be the authority? If they only accept their own scriptural canons, then the Buddha is not their Teacher and they are not His disciples.
It is unreasonable to claim that our teachings are not the words of the Buddha simply because they are not included in their own collection of sutras, since they are found in other canons and do not contradict other discourses or the truth of the Dharma.
It is overly bold of them to claim that our scriptures are not what the Buddha taught simply because they chose not to include them in their own canon of scripture.
— Vasubandhu, in Refutation of the Theory of a Self
Sentient beings believe in a subject-object duality, they think that they themselves are separate from the others out there. When you directly experience the natural state, all these ideas and fixations fall apart. When the thinking of self and others falls apart, when one doesn’t cling to the habitual discursive thoughts, one realizes that the nature of mind is actually like space. There is no separation or duality in space. Separation is only a mental construct. When these mental fabrications collapse one will know the endless space-like nature of mind. There is a sense of ease and peace. Knowing that sentient beings have not realized this reality, one maintains unconditioned compassion. Abiding in the natural state of mind is a most peaceful and joyous state. But sentient beings have not seen their own true nature, with confused minds the endlessly suffer in illusory samsara. This is a great pity, thus the compassion of those who know reality naturally prevails.
— Garchen Rinpoche
My pilgrimage to Jonang Jamdha Monastery, Golok region, Amdo Tibet
Day 14: Exploring monastery ground and visit Losalling Buddhist School
From the soil of loving-kindness grows the beautiful bloom of compassion, watered with tears of empathic joy, under the cool shade of the tree of equanimity.
— Longchenpa
You don’t have to do anything with your mind, just let it naturally rest in its essential nature. Your own mind, unagitated, is reality. Meditate on this without distraction. Know the Truth beyond all opposites. Thoughts are like bubbles that form and dissolve in clear water. Thoughts are not distinct from the absolute Reality, so relax; there is no need to be critical. Whatever arises, whatever occurs, simply don’t cling to it, but immediately let it go. What you see, hear, and touch is your own mind. There is nothing but mind. Mind transcends birth and death. The essence of mind is pure Consciousness that never leaves reality, even though it experiences the things of the senses. In the equanimity of the Absolute, there is nothing to renounce or attain.”
— Niguma
Take the lowest place, and you shall reach the highest.
— Milarepa
Buddhist Quote for the day 