Speaking out, timeless and wise, from the 6th century BC.
Words of wisdom for life today, tomorrow, and life beyond.
The words of Buddha for contemplation, learning, study, sharing.
Wisdom of Buddha
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts, we make the world.
The noble path
Wisdom of 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.
Dhammapada, Sayings of Buddha
The wise man tells you where you have fallen And where you yet may fall - Invaluable secrets! Follow him, follow the way.
- Words of Buddha
Words of Buddha
The wind cannot shake a mountain. Neither praise nor blame moves the wise man.
He is clarity. He is truth. He is like a lake. Pure and tranquil and deep.
Wisdom of Buddha
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere.
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
Dhammapada, Sayings of Buddha
Wisdom of Buddha
Do only what you do not regret and fill yourself with joy.
Dhammapada, Sayings of Buddha
Translation by Thomas Byrom, Shambala, The Fool, p. 20
DHAMMAPADA, Choices
Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it.
Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.
Dhammapada, The Sayings of the Buddha Buddha, 6th century BC
Nothing in the world happens by chance - not because things are predestined, but because everything is connected by cause and effect. This includes thoughts, because they both cause things to happen and are aroused by things that happen. What we think has consequences for the world around us, - for others, for the world, for ourselves - and sooner or later they will get back to us.
Actions in harmony with dharma (law essence holding life together, the law that all things and events are part of an indivisible whole) bring good karma and add to health and happiness. Selfish actions, at odds with the rest of life, bring unfavorable karma and pain. We punish and reward ourselves.
As Jesus taught: "As you sow, so shall you reap. With whatever measure you mete out to others, with the same measure it shall be meted out to you."
Dhammapada 1:1-2 Choices / Twin Verses, Translation by Eknath Easwaran
Wisdom of Buddha
Hatred can never put an end to hatred; love alone can. This is an unalterable law.
Dhammapada, Sayings of Buddha
Wisdom of Buddha
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
The noble path
Wisdom of Buddha
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world.
Dhammapada, Sayings of Buddha
Buddha reminds us
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire,
men cannot live without a spiritual life.
Words of Buddha
An idea that is developed
and put into action is more important
than an idea that only exists as an idea.
Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one that gets burned.
Wisdom of Buddha
People forget that their lives will end soon. But for those who remember, quarrels come to an end.
Dhammapada, Sayings of Buddha
DHAMMAPADA, Choices
One who lives as though the things of the world were pure, with senses unguarded and appetite immoderate, lazy and weak, will be overpowered by bedevilment, like a weak tree blown over by the wind.
One who lives as though the things of the world are impure, with senses guarded and appetite moderate, faithful and diligent, will not be overpowered by bedevilment, like a rock mountain unshaken by the wind.
Dhammapada 1:7-8 Choices / Couplets / Twin Verses, translation by Thomas Cleary
DHAMMAPADA
Better than a speech of a thousand vain words is one thoughtful word which brings peace to the mind.
Better than a poem of a thousand vain verses is one thoughtful line which brings peace to the mind.
Better than a hundred poems of vain stanzas is one word of the dharma that brings peace to the mind.
Dhammapada 8:100-102, Thousands, Translation by Eknath Easwaran
Do not look at the faults of others, or what others have done or not done; observe what you yourself have done and have not done.
- Dhammapada, Flowers, 4:7, Cleary
To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life;
foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.
Sayings of Buddha
Be vigilant and go beyond death. If you lack vigilance, you cannot escape death. Those who strive earnestly will go beyond death; those who do not can never come to life. The wise understand this, and rejoice in the wisdom of the noble ones. Meditating earnestly and striving for nirvana, they attain the highest joy and freedom.
If you meditate earnestly, pure in mind and kind in deeds, leading a disciplined life in harmony with the dharma, you will grow in glory. If you meditate earnestly, through spiritual disciplines you can make an island for yourself that no flood can overwhelm.
- Dhammapada 2 : Vigilance 1,2
Wisdom of Buddha
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
The noble path
Wisdom of Buddha
Charity bestowed upon those who are worthy of it is like good seed sown on a good soil that yields an abundance of fruits.
But alms given to those who are yet under the tyrannical yoke of the passions are like seed deposited on bad soil.
The passions of the receiver of the alms choke, as it were, the growth of merits.
