Before you've seen it, and when you first see it, it is the greatest thing; afterwards, it is ordinary.

When ignorant people see someone who is dead, they are disgusted and horrified, even thought they too will be dead some day. I thought to myself: I don't want to be like the ignorant people. After then, I couldn't feel the usual intoxication with life anymore.

When action comes out of nothing it creates no karma.

Just as a tree, though cut down, can grow again and again if its roots are undamaged and strong, in the same way if the roots of craving are not wholly uprooted sorrows will come again and again

Just as gold is burnt, cut and rubbed, Examine my words carefully and Do not accept them simply out of respect

One act of pure love in saving life is greater than spending the whole of one's time in religious offerings to the gods . . .

An ignorant man ages like an ox. His flesh may increase, but not his understanding.