What appears is at the same time disappearing, the arising and the passing away, a single movement, without beginning or end. This is the preciousness of life, this amazing constellation of feelings, thoughts, sensations, and the mystery of wakefulness that illuminates them all, here and then gone in a flash.
And the extraordinary paradox is that this which is ever changing is, at the same time, changeless. A bird, a tear, a star- all the movement of a single life, one ocean dancing as a thousand different waves and yet always remaining itself.
~ John Astin
It is not that something is wrong with the world,
but something is wrong with us.
~Ven. Dr k Sri Dhammananda
Ah, happily do we live without hate amongst the hateful.
Amidst the hateful men, we live without hate.
~ The Buddha
"In simple openness which is welcoming you will come to accept and get to know your negative feelings, desires and fears. Once welcomed and nondirected attention to these feelings will burn themselves up, leaving only silence. "
A rich man told me that all his life he has worked very hard to earn money for the sake of his family. I told him that he was actually slogging like a slave all his life for his own greed.
~ Bhikkhu Buddha Dhatu
He who knows that enough,
will always have enough.
~ Lao Tze
Make haste in doing good, restrain your mind from evil.
Whosoever is slow in doing good, his mind delights in evil.
~ The Buddha
Be on your guard against mental agitation,
be controlled in thoughts, forsaking evil thoughts, follow right ways in thoughts.
~ The Buddha
When a man speaks or acts with good intentions,
then happiness follows him like his shadow that never leaves him.
~ The Buddha
Mindfulness is the energy of being aware to the present moment. Continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life. To be mindful is to be truly alive, present and at one with those around you and with what you are doing. Mindfulness becomes joyful, relaxed and steady.
~ Abstract from "Plum Village" - Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh ~
We should apply the methods of compassion and concentration in Buddhism to purify the anger and 'toxins' in our heart - once we have greed, hatred and delusion, we should reflect immediately and our hearts will be cool and refreshed. When we clear our vexatons, clarity, compassion and equanimity arise and transform all roots of disease. A person free from physical and emotional disease is a truly healthy person.
~ Ven. Shi Fazhao
There are many methods in Buddhism such as chanting, mantra recitation, meditation and contemplation which will help us transform and eliminate our vexations. Apply these methods in daily life. Once afflictions arise, use these methods to transform and eliminate them. If we don't reflect in our daily life but wait till afflictions accumulate to seek help of doctors, it would be too late.
~ Ven. Shi Fazhao
If we don't deceive people, we will not be deceived.
Someone may complain, "I have never deceived anyone in my life. Why is it that many people deceive me?" Didn't I just say that the matter of retribution is not limited to one lifetime? It spans three time period: past, present, future. You may not have cheated anyone in this life, but do you know how many people have you cheated in your previous life? " "I don't know." You don't know? So it may be fitting that people cheat you now.
~Ven. Master Hsuan Hua
It's good for you to receive the precepts. Let me say this to you. "Having taken the Buddha's precepts, living beings enter the position of all Buddhas." When living beings take the precepts of the Buddhas, it's the same as having entered the position of the Buddha. Therefore, don't disparage the precepts or slander the Vinaya of the Buddha.
~ Ven. Master Hsuan Hua
Worry a little bit every day and
in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years.
If something is wrong, fix it if you can.
But train yourself not to worry.
Worry never fixes anything.
~ Mary Hemingway
Endless World System
Some people think that if all of us attain NIrvana, this world will be an empty place and that there won't be anyboby to work for the progress of this world. This is a shallow idea in the minds of such people who lack real knowledge of living beings.
They should understand that this world will never become empty since very few wise people will be able to attain Nirvana. As far as world systems are concerned, there is no limit to them. And there is no such thing as either the begining or the end of world systems and the universe. World systems will always appear and disappear. When one world system disappear, another is born. The dispersed world systems reappear due to the combination of molecules and energies. Living beings who have departed from other world systems also come into existence due to the recombination of these elements, energies and their mental formation with karmic energies. One should not think there are only a limited number of living beings who appear and disappear again and again in this universe. Living beings are numerically unlimited and infinte.
~ Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda, The Purpose Of Life
Fear and worry disappear when ignorance is dispelled by knowledge.
~ Ven. Dr K Dhammananda
When this exists, that comes to be;
With the arising of this, that arises.
When this does not exist, that does not come to be;
With the cessation of this, that ceases.
~ Buddha, on the Principle of Conditionality (a.k.a. Dependent Origination, Dependent Arising)
The enlightened essence is present in all sentient beings. Although the beings themselves undergo many types of change - happiness, suffering birth, old age, sickness, and finally death - no change occurs in the Buddha nature itself. Our innate Buddha nature remains forever the changeless seed of happiness and enlightenment.
~ Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Buddha Nature
Quickly pretend you're not talking to your friend, but to the Buddha. Instead of blabbing, say something or ask something worthy of your time with the Awakened One. Make it good; the Buddha is a busy guy. Not only will this prevent you from gossiping, it sets you up for a really worthwhile talk with your buddy.
~ Franze Metcalf, Just Add Buddha
Those who lead their lives by going against nature, must face the consequences either physically or mentally.
~Ven. Dr K Dhammananda
Sympathetic consideration is needed for less understanding people.
~ Ven. K Dr Dhammananda
In the gap between subject and object lies the entire misery of humankind.
J. Krishnamurti
We must put an end to greed, hatred and delusion. Being free from greed, we will not fight. When we do not fight with others, we seek nothing. When we do not seek, we will be selfless. When we are selfless, we will not pursue personal advantage. All these are related. Studying Buddhadharma means following the teaching in a precise and honest manner. Don't take chances and shortcuts, just cultivate honestly.
~ Ven Master Husan Hua
Can We Live Without Craving?
Many people are bothered by this question: if eradication of craving is essential to achieve final liberation, how can we live without craving?
It is true that certain necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, transport and medicine are indispensible for our living. At the same time, we need to have income to support our families to fulfil our duties. Attachment to one's husband or wife and children is natural. We should not regard such attachment as irreligious craving. The Buddha did say that craving for existence creates problems, but he did not say that we must torture ourselves and those around us whilst striving to give up craving.
In Buddhism, craving itself is not a 'sin' but it creates mental impurities or unskliful action arising from ignorance which delays our spiritual progress. In Buddhism, we develop spirituality in stages. At first we serve those we love in our own family circles. But we must learn to work for the benefit of all humanity. In this way we can refine our human nature to experience the divine nature. The Buddha only wanted to point out the danger of selfish desires. People develop these selfish desires for worldly gain which motivates non-virtuous deeds. Our striving for neccessities could be decent if we do not develop an undue craving which harms others. Buddhism as well as other religions point out the danger of selfishness.
Ven. Dr k Dhammananda, The Purpose Of Life