Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous. We experience joy in the actual act of giving something. And we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given.
— Buddha
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
— Buddha
The origin of all demons is in the mind. When awareness holds on and embraces any outer object, it is in the hold of a demon.
— Machig Labdrön
In terms of ghosts and demons, the origin of so called ghosts and demons are the appearances or conceptual thoughts. Conceptual thoughts originate from literally clinging to an ‘I’; clinging to this idea of ‘I’ being the centre of everything. The tangible and intangible demons originate because of one’s conceptual thoughts. These are all kinds of delusions. In a way, it is easy to say ‘Do not have conceptual thoughts. These are demons, period.’ That would be very, very easy to say, but when it comes to practice, one has to do it step by step.
To use a good example as to how to reduce or eliminate these things, the best example probably would be the steps taken by Milarepa. Follow each and every story and try to learn between the lines and as well as the deeper and more profound meanings that each story carries. Milarepa says that – of all the powerful demons, conceptual thoughts, to me is the most destructive. It is also said when you have the own Buddha nature, it is clean, it is pristine, it is spotless it is just like a mirror. When that is tainted the out of this taintedness arise all kinds of different demons. Even if you are a deity if your mirror is clouded, if your mirror is tainted you are no longer a deity. Then it is all about when our state of mind being the mirror is tainted or not.
— Garchen Rinpoche
If we look like Buddhists and talk like Buddhists and sit on a cushion like the other Buddhists, then we think we are automatically followers of the Buddha’s teachings. But all these concepts are cutting us off from the utter simplicity of the Buddha’s example and message. We do what we do simply to wake up, simply to be free. Any form we use is only a support of accomplishing that purpose. We could be perfect in the performance of a thousand rituals, and they could all be empty of all meaning or benefit if we don’t connect with our heart. If we’re not developing our awareness in our everyday life, then we’re missing the point.
— 7th Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Self Reflection
When you explain or hear the teachings, if your mind and the teachings remain separate, then whatever is explained will be inconsequential. Hence, listen in such a way that you determine how these teachings apply to your mind. For example, when you want to find out whether or not there is some smudge, dirt, or whatever, on your face, you look in a mirror and then remove whatever is there. Similarly, when you listen to the teachings, your faults such as misconduct and attachment appear in the mirror of the teachings. At that time, you regret that your mind has become like this, and you then work to clear away those faults and establish good qualities.
— Lama Tsongkhapa
凡是还有贪、嗔、痴、慢，要存有恐惧的心，自己的烦恼业障还这么重，修行功夫不得力，必须让自己的烦恼习气一年比一年轻，一个月比一个月少，就是进步，这就是功夫得力。若烦恼少，心清净，智慧一定增长，对世间名闻利养、五欲六尘，必定一年比一年看得淡。在这些境缘中渐渐不动心，心恢复清净，顺境也好、逆境也好，善人也好、恶人也好，他心里的波动没有从前那么高、没那么激动，心渐渐平了，这是‘功夫得力’。起心动念想自己的事少了，而会替别人想，会想一切众生、会想整个佛法，这种人就是道眼渐渐开，境界渐渐好。
— 净空法师
There are a few points I would like to mention here. Firstly, you will never find sufficient time for Dharma practice. Whatever you do, you will never find sufficient time for Dharma practice. Therefore Dharma practice should not be made into a separate timetable. Whether sleeping, driving, working, bathing, talking — in every situation you should maintain the continuity of your Dharma mind. Here again mindfulness is absolutely important. You may simply be driving down the road being mindful of others, mindful of the insects which cross or fly across the road, mindful of the flying insects which might collide with your windshield, mindfulness of your total surrounding, and keeping a compassionate mind. In this case you are practising Dharma.
Whether you are talking with your friends or arguing with your employer, keep calm and mindful. So, your lifestyle, your life-conduct, your life itself should be a Dharma practice. Otherwise, if you confine your practice to half an hour in the morning and forty minutes in the evening, and sometimes you are not even able to keep to that timetable, it will not bring you any progress.
You can set aside time for prayer or making offerings or performing some other rituals. You can make a timetable for these things, and even five minutes is enough. But consistent mindful exercise, that should go on day and night, and should be made a part of your life. This is true regular practice. So, this is one thing to bear in mind.
— 5th Samdhong Rinpoche, Lobsang Tenzin
Because of putting on worldly armour, transcendent Dharma will not grow in one’s mind! Water of realisation will not gather on the balloon of pride! Without the moisture of ascertainment, one won’t drink the nectar of experience! Without depth of realisations, one can’t break the chains of deception! Not understanding phenomena as name only, one chokes on pride of self! Not combining the vehicles in one, tenet holders discriminate! Without having experienced view or meditation, they judge the level of others! Subsisting on the eight worldly dharmas, they supposedly liberate others! Without any experience themselves, they give introduction to others! Their Dharma is lip service, their view, intense desire! Their experience is wishful thinking, their conduct, pretense! Their “fruition” is wealth, with concerns for this life alone, their whole life becomes the facsimile of a Dharma practitioner!
— Mahasiddha Padampa Sangye
Buddhist Quote for the day 