Better than chanting a thousand words in a dead language is one soothing word spoken in the vernacular.
Gautama BuddhaWhatever a person frequently thinks and reflects on, that will become the inclination of their mind.
Gautama BuddhaWhat I know is like the leaves on that tree; what I teach is only a small part. But I offer it to all with an open hand. What do I not teach? Whatever is fascinating to discuss, divides people against each other, but has no bearing on putting an end to sorrow. What do I teach? Only what is necessary to take you to the other shore.
Gautama BuddhaThe glorious chariots of kings wear out, and the body wears out and grows old; but the virtue of the good never grows old.
Gautama BuddhaComparing oneself to others in such terms as "Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I," he should neither kill nor cause others to kill.
Gautama BuddhaBefore you've seen it, and when you first see it, it is the greatest thing; afterwards, it is ordinary.
Gautama BuddhaWhen 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.
Gautama BuddhaYou can search the world over and you will find no one who is more deserving of your kindness and well wishing than you yourself.
Gautama BuddhaAwake. Be the witness of your thoughts. The elephant hauls himself from the mud. In the same way drag yourself out of your sloth.
Gautama BuddhaOf all footprints, that of the elephant is supreme. Similarly, of all mindfulness meditations, that on death is supreme.
Gautama BuddhaI do not perceive even one other thing, O monks, that when undeveloped and uncultivated entails such great suffering as the mind. The mind when undeveloped and uncultivated entails great suffering.
Gautama BuddhaCare about your children. Just bless them instead of worrying, as every child is the little Buddha who helps his parents to grow up.
Gautama BuddhaThe mind is the source of happiness and unhappiness by what it chooses to compare the experience with. If it chooses to compare it to something worse then it will create happiness, gratitude and pride but if it chooses to compare it to something better then it will create unhappiness, bitterness and envy.
Gautama BuddhaThe whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed. - Buddha No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Gautama BuddhaGenerosity 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.
Gautama BuddhaWhen one, abandoning greed, feels no greed for what would merit greed, greed gets shed from him - like a drop of water from a lotus leaf.
Gautama BuddhaIt is more important to prevent animal suffering, rather than sit to contemplate the evils of the universe praying in the company of priests.
Gautama BuddhaHe who wrongs the innocent must bear the fruit of his act, like dust flung against the wind.
Gautama BuddhaMankind have love, animals have affection. The harmonious and beautiful world is revealed.
Gautama BuddhaDo not believe anything because it is said by an authority, or if it is said to come from angels, or from Gods, or from an inspired source. Believe it only if you have explored it in your own heart and mind and body and found it to be true. Work out your own path, through diligence.
Gautama BuddhaIf a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
Gautama BuddhaPlease, try to eat a bit less meat, a bit more veggies from today. Let it become a habit gradually until not to eat meat anymore. Then, observe the changing of the body and spirit after eating veggies, fruits and grains.
Gautama BuddhaEverything is extraordinarily clear. I see the whole landscape before me, I see my hands, my feet, my toes, and I smell the rich river mud. I feel a sense of tremendous strangeness and wonder at being alive. Wonder of wonders.
Gautama BuddhaWhen a man venerates those worthy of veneration, be they Buddhas or their disciples, who have transcended all obstacles and passed beyond sorrow and tears - venerating such as these, whose passions are extinguished and for whom there is no further source for fear, no one can calculate how great his merit is.
Gautama BuddhaAnd for a disciple thus freed, in whose heart dwells peace, there is nothing to be added to what has been done, and naught more remains for him to do. Just as a rock of one solid mass remains unshaken by the wind, even so, neither forms, nor sounds, nor odors, nor tastes, nor contacts of any kind, neither the desired, nor the undesired, can cause such an one to waver. Steadfast is his mind, gained is deliverance.
Gautama BuddhaThe mind precedes all things, the mind dominates all things, the mind creates all things.
Gautama BuddhaThe fool is his own enemy. Seeking wealth, he destroys himself. Seek rather the other shore.
Gautama BuddhaHappiness follows sorrow, sorrow follows happiness, but when one no longer discriminates happiness and sorrow, a good deal and a bad deed, one is able to realize freedom.
Gautama BuddhaA dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.
Gautama BuddhaSamsara-the Wheel of Existence, literally, the "Perpetual Wandering"-is the name by which is designated the sea of life ever restlessly heaving up and down, the symbol of this continuous process of ever again and again being born, growing old, suffering, and dying. (It) is constantly changing from moment to moment, (as lives) follow continuously one upon the other through inconceivable periods of time. Of this Samsara, a single lifetime constitutes only a vanishingly tiny fraction.
Gautama BuddhaBeing deeply learned and skilled, being well trained and using well spoken words; This is good luck.
Gautama BuddhaLet us live in joy, never falling sick like those who hate us. Let us live in freedom, without hatred even among those who hate.
Gautama Buddha