Quotes from the Buddha

(563 - 483 BC)

"Be ye lamps unto yourselves, be a refuge to yourselves.   Hold fast to Truth as a lamp; hold fast to the Truth as a refuge.   Look not for a refuge in anyone beside yourselves.   And those, who shall be a lamp unto themselves, shall betake themselves to no external refuge,   but holding fast to the Truth as their lamp, and holding fast to the Truth as their refuge, they shall reach the topmost height."     Buddha's Farewell Message to Ananda

 

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of that candle will not be shortened.

Happiness is never decreased by being shared.

We are what we think, all that we are arises with our thoughts;

with our thoughts, we make our world.

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

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis,

when you find that anything agrees with reason

and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

"All that we are is a result of what we have thought."

Delight in meditation and solitude. Compose yourself, be happy. You are a seeker.

When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

It is our minds that create this world.

The gift of truth excels all other gifts.

Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance.

Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back,

and choose the path that leads to wisdom.

Wherever we go, wherever we remain, the results of our actions follow us.

Teach this triple truth to all:

A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion

are the things which renew humanity.

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth;

not going all the way, and not starting.

Let us rise up and be thankful,

for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little,

and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick,

and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.

An idea that is developed and put into action

is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.

If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart.

As an irrigator guides water to his fields, as an archer aims an arrow,

as a carpenter carves wood, the wise shape their lives.

Hunger (for things) is the supreme disease.

A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another.

If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden.

But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden.

When a wise man is advised of his errors, he will reflect on and improve his conduct.

When his misconduct is pointed out, a foolish man will not only disregard the advice but rather repeat the same error.

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.

When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

When we feel happy and peaceful, our happiness and peace radiates around us,

and others can enjoy it as well. This is called 'the enjoyment of others of our body of bliss'.

A kind man who makes good use of wealth is rightly said to possess a great treasure;

but the miser who hoards up his riches will have no profit.

Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, give yourself to it.

Do not accept what you hear by report, do not accept tradition,

do not accept a statement because it is found in our books,

nor because it is in accord with your belief,

nor because it is the saying of your teacher.

Be lights unto yourselves.

Those who, either now or after I am dead,

shall rely upon themselves only

and not look for assistance to anyone besides themselves,

it is they who shall reach the topmost height.