Top 1138 Quotes & Sayings by Gautama Buddha - Page 18

Cut down the forest, not just a tree. Out of the forest of desire springs danger. By cutting down both the forest of desire and the brushwood of longing, be rid of the forest, bhikkhus.

Wonder of wonders! Intrinsically all living beings are Buddhas, endowed with wisdom and virtue, but because men's minds have become inverted through delusive thinking they fail to perceive this.

Whoever makes love grow boundless, and sets his mind for seeing the end of birth, his fetters are worn thin. If he loves even a single being, Good will follow. But the Noble One with compassionate heart for all mankind, generates abounding good.

Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.

One is not called noble who harms living beings. By not harming living beings one is called noble.

And more importantly - what we have chosen to do

A brahmin once asked The Blessed One: "Are you a God?" "No, brahmin" said The Blessed One. "Are you a saint?" "No, brahmin" said The Blessed One. "Are you a magician?" "No, brahmin" said The Blessed One. "What are you then?" "I am awake."

A raft needed to cross the river is discarded when the other shore is reached, not carried about on one's head.

Though one should live a hundred years without wisdom and control, yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who is wise and meditative.

The fragrance of sandalwood and rosebay does not travel far. But the fragrance of virtue rises to the heavens.

Rising early and scorning laziness, remaining calm in time of strife, faultless in conduct and clever in actions. One like this will be praised.

All of you knowing now, Tthat the Buddhas, the Teachers of the Ages, In accord with what is peculiarly appropriate, have recourse to expedient devices, Need have no more doubts or uncertainties. Your hearts shall give rise to great joy, Since you know that you yourselves Shall become Buddhas.

If a man's thoughts are muddy, If he is reckless and full of deceit, How can he wear the yellow robe? Whoever is master of his own nature, Bright, clear and true, He may indeed wear the yellow robe.

He who slings mud loses ground.

Stay centered, do not overstretch. Extend from your center, return to your center.

Our problems are not solved by physical force, by hatred, by warOur problems are solved by loving kindness by gentleness, by joy

Few cross over the river. Most are stranded on this side. On the riverbank they run up and down. But the wise man, following the way, Crosses over, beyond the reach of death. He leaves the dark way For the way of light.

If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given.

One who, while seeking happiness, oppresses with violence other living beings who also desire happinesss, will not find happiness hereafter.

In the light of his vision that is the perspective that allows him to be grateful that things are not worse he has found his freedom and joy: his thoughts are peace, his words are peace and his work is peace.

After 48 years, I have said nothing.

I, ever knowing the living beings Who tread the Path and those who do not In response to those who may be saved Preach to them a variety of dharmas, Each time having this thought: 'How may I cause the beings To contrive to enter the Unexcelled Path and quickly to perfect the Buddha-body?'

In the end it is nothing other than the loving kindness with which the woman cares for her child that makes the difference. Her concern concentrates on one thing just like the Buddhist practice of concentration. She thinks of nothing but her child, which is similar to Buddhist compassion. That must be why, although she created no other causes to bring about it, she was reborn in the Brahma heaven.

The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain--as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honor than to live to 120 and die in disgrace.

By your own folly you will be brought as low as your worst enemy wishes.

The hunger of passions is the greatest disease.

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

Everything 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.

Be quick to do good. If you are slow, the mind, delighting in mischief, will catch you.

To avoid causing terror to living beings, let the disciple refrain from eating meat... the food of the wise is that which is consumed by the sadhus [holymen]; it does not consist of meat... There may be some foolish people in the future who will say that I permitted meat-eating and that I partook of meat myself, but... meat-eating I have not permitted to anyone, I do not permit, I will not permit meat-eating in any form, in any manner and in any place; it is unconditionally prohibited for all.

A disciplined mind brings happiness.

Our good and bad deeds follow us almost like a shadow.

One should refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs.

Men give up one thing to take up another, but in spite of numerous changes they do not find peace. They are no better than monkeys who let go one bough to take hold of another, only to let it go again.

All that has been hidden is rising, there is no stopping it! These things you cannot hide: the sun, the moon, and TRUTH.

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love.

For one who is a learner and who has not yet come to master their mind, but who dwells aspiring for peace from that which binds, making it a matter concerning himself, I know of no other thing as helpful as giving close attention to the mind.

My whole life, I never spoke a single-word.

Awakening is natural,delusion is not

Hunger (for things) is the supreme disease.

Few are those among men who have crossed over to the other shore, while the rest of mankind runs along the bank. However those who follow the principles of the well-taught Truth will cross over to the other shore, out of the dominion of Death, hard though it is to escape.

As the bee collects nectar and departs without injuring the flower, or its color or fragrance, so let the sage dwell on earth.

Watch the thought and its ways with care, and let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings.

Don't rely on logic alone, nor speculation. Don't infer or be deceived by appearances.

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

As I am, so are others as others are, so am I. Having thus identified self and others, harm no one nor have them harmed.

One who is unrestrained in life-delusion overcomes; as the wind a weak tree.

The easiest beneficence is a smile. The simplest release is to have a vegetarian meal.

The gift of truth excels all other gifts.

Let your mind become clear like a still forest pool.

I have the body of a GOD

Wish I am free from barriers when I die, and Buddha will welcome me from far away.

Both formerly and now, it is only suffering that I describe, and the cessation of suffering.

If the mind be fixed on the acquirement of any object, that object will be attained.

Thus shall ye think of all this fleeting world: As star at dawn, a bubble in a stream A flash of lightning in a summer cloud A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream

To be concerned with the issue; soul versus non-soul, is to be in bondage to craving for becoming and non-becoming.

Much though he recites the sacred texts, but acts not accordingly, that heedless man is like a cowherd who only counts the cows of others - he does not partake of the blessings of the holy life.

May everyone be happy and safe, and may their hearts be filled with joy.

Man should make himself a lot of good karma.

Hate is only conquered by love.