The one who wanders independent in the world, free from opinions and viewpoints, does not grasp them and enter into disputations and arguments. As the lotus rises on its stalk unsoiled by the mud and the water, so the wise one speaks of peace and is unstained by the opinions of the world.
— Buddha
This life passes as quickly as autumn clouds; family and friends are like passers-by in a market; the demon of death approaches like twilight’s shadow; what the future holds is like a translucent fish in cloudy waters; life’s experiences are like last night’s dreams; the pleasures of the senses, like an imaginary party. Meaningless activities are like waves lapping of the surface of the water.
— Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche
Things do not arise from themselves, because their arising would be pointless and because their arising would be endless. Things that are already exist by way of their own identity do not need to arise again. If they arose even though they (already) existed, there would never be a time at which they were not arising.
— Buddhapalita
What is helpful to one may cause another pain, as when the moon rises, the evening flowers open, the lotuses close.
— Sakya Pandita
Do not judge the world according to one’s own understanding and insist to be the truth.
— Tsultrim Tashi
In order to carry out a practice — such as constantly watching the mind — you should form a determination, make a pledge, right when you wake up: “Now, for the rest of this day, I will put into practice what I believe just as much as I can.” It is very important that, at the start of the day, we should set out to shape what will happen later. Then, at the end of every day, check what happened. Review the day. And if you carried through for that whole day your morning’s determination, then rejoice. Reinforce further your motivation to continue in the same line. However, when you do your reviewing, you may discover that you did things during the day that are contrary to your religious values and beliefs. You should then acknowledge this and cultivate a deep sense of remorse. Strengthen your resolve not to indulge in these actions in the future.
— Lama Tsongkhapa
Don’t trouble the minds of your companions by showing your pleasure or displeasure on every little matter.
— 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche
If it is not truthful and not helpful, don’t say it. If it is truthful and not helpful, don’t say it. If it is not truthful yet helpful, don’t say it. If it is truthful and helpful, wait for the right time.
— Buddha
I have no desire for wealth or possessions, and so I have nothing. I do not experience the initial suffering of having to accumulate possessions, the intermediate suffering of having to guard and keep up possessions, nor the final suffering of loosing the possessions.
— Milarepa
From the outside, we appear to be genuine dharma practitioners; on the inside, our minds have not blended with the dharma. We conceal our afflictions inside like a poisonous snake. Yet when difficult situations arise, the hidden faults of a poor practitioner come to light. Lama, think of us, behold us swiftly with compassion. Bless us that we ourselves are able to tame our mind.
Not recognizing our own faults, we take the form of a dharma practitioner, while engaging in non-dharmic pursuits. We are habituated to kleshas and non-virtuous activity. Again and again virtuous intentions arise; again and again they are cut off. Lama, think of us, behold us swiftly with compassion. Bless us that we see our own faults.
— Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye
Buddhist Quote for the day 