Dhamma Quotes

[lungmi]

In the political elections you can only vote for the other, which other party you give power over you (and power to enrich himself). Actually you can only choose whether you prefer a toothache or a headache.

Through meditation, which should be the core of any religion, you can distance yourself from this sickening game and you can choose for yourself (without choosing against the other or harming the other).

Anonymus

Yes, light and reft don't muddre. (In Asia specially)

[camerata]

"The economic system of Marxism is founded on moral principles, while capitalism is concerned only with gain and profitability. The former is concerned with the distribution of wealth on an equal basis, equitable utilization of the means of production, and the fate of the working classes and underprivileged. This appeals to me and seems fair. The major flaw of such regimes is their emphasis on class struggle -- insistence on hatred to the detriment of compassion. Their failure is not that of Marxism, but of totalitarianism. So I still think of myself as half-Marxist, half-Buddhist."

--The Dalai Lama

[lungmi]

"The economic system of Marxism is founded on moral principles, while capitalism is concerned only with gain and profitability. The former is concerned with the distribution of wealth on an equal basis, equitable utilization of the means of production, and the fate of the working classes and underprivileged. This appeals to me and seems fair. The major flaw of such regimes is their emphasis on class struggle -- insistence on hatred to the detriment of compassion. Their failure is not that of Marxism, but of totalitarianism. So I still think of myself as half-Marxist, half-Buddhist."

--The Dalai Lama

Tan Buddhadasa, a good friend of the Dalai Lama, says : Dhammic Socialism.

My answer: I gave away the collected works of Mao Tse Tung, of Lenin, of Marx in my possession.

50 years to read books, the next years to forget them all (I lie, the Dhammapada is excepted)

[Xangsamhua]

"The teachings of the Buddha are skillful means; they are not absolute truth. ....... The Buddha said 'My teachings are a finger pointing to the moon. Do not get caught in thinking that the finger is the moon. It is because of the finger that you can see the moon." (Thich Nhat Hanh, No Death, No Fear, 2002)

[camerata]

"By focusing on the relatively individualistic insight meditation practice, the Western vipassana community has also largely ignored the communal practices of Theravada Buddhism. The tradition offers a whole range of ritual practices which help foster community, connect us with the land on which we live and mark birth, death and the seasons. The collective decision-making and reconciliation practices that have benefited the monastic community for centuries could be invaluable for extending our practice from our cushions to our communities."

- Gil Fronsdal (The Treasures of the Theravada)

[camerata]

"In the endless wheel of death and rebirth, there are only these events of being born, ageing, falling sick, dying which are natural part of it. Until we attain Nibbana, we can only rely on the fruits of good actions that we have done and which we can take with us into future states of becoming." -- Ajahn Chah

[Xangsamhua]

Better than a speech of a thousand vain words is one thoughtful word that 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, verses 100-102

(Tr. Eknath Easwaran)

[camerata]

Guys, please remember the directions for posting here as stated in the OP:

"I think we had a 'thought for the day' thread a couple of years ago but it didn't work out because folks started posting anything with a feel-good vibe whether Buddhism-related or not. I'd like to give it another shot and limit it to writings or sayings by Buddhists.

NOTE: Please post only dhamma thoughts, ie from Buddhism, in this thread."

Posts should reflect the Dhamma and be accompanied by the author's name and if possible the publication or reference it's taken from.

Thanks.

[Xangsamhua]

The Great Way knows no impediments; it does not pick and choose.

When you abandon attachment and aversion, you see it plainly.

Make a thousandth of an inch distinction, heaven and earth spring apart.

If you want it to appear before your eyes, cherish neither "for" nor "against".

To compare what you like with what you dislike, that is the disease of the mind.

Then you pass over the hidden meaning; peace of mind is needlessly troubled.

(Seng Ts'an: the Third Patriarch of Zen)

"The 'hidden meaning' of things as they really are, lies beyond dualistic experience, waiting to be discovered by those who can travel upstream against conditioning."

(Eknath Easwaran, The Dhammapada, commenting on verses 209-220).

[Xangsamhua]

The compulsive urges of the thoughtless grow like a creeper. They jump like a monkey from one life to another, looking for fruit in the forest.

When these urges drive us, sorrow spreads like wild grass. Conquer these fierce cravings and sorrow will fall away from your life like drops of water from a lotus leaf.

Dhammapada verses 334-335. Tr. Eknath Easwaran

[lungmi]

"The teachings of the Buddha are skillful means; they are not absolute truth. ....... The Buddha said 'My teachings are a finger pointing to the moon. Do not get caught in thinking that the finger is the moon. It is because of the finger that you can see the moon." (Thich Nhat Hanh, No Death, No Fear, 2002)

Right, the Buddha gave the freedom for everyone to check him. An approach of a good teacher, don't belive me but have the faith that a give you a good teaching. Every good teacher for mathematics, for physics won't ask you to belive him, but

he would say have faith to my teaching and check it out.

[Xangsamhua]

"A true elder is truthful, virtuous, gentle, self-controlled, and pure in mind."

Dhammapada, 262.

[Tchooptip]

He is not versed in the Dharma Merely because he speaks much. He who hears little of the teaching But mentally sees the Truth, And who is not heedless of the Truth - He is indeed versed in the Dharma.

Lord Buddha's words

[camerata]

"...if I speak of a spiritual path, for me in Buddhism, it is a path of transformation. Each and every one of us has the potential for transformation, that’s the fundamental aspect of Buddhism. We don’t speak of original sin, but original goodness, and again original goodness is not some kind of weird, sort of dogmatic thing, it’s just a fact that there’s the potential for change in every human being. If you look deep within the mind, of course there’s a lot of emotion, some positive emotion, negative emotion, sometime anger, sometime love and kindness, but basically the fundamental nature of mind, you know it’s like light. Cognitive faculty, the basic cognitive faculty of mind is like a beam of light. It’s not modified by what it lights up. Like, if light shines on a heap of garbage it doesn’t become dirty. If light shines on a piece of gold it doesn’t become expensive. We don’t want to fall prey to the chain reaction that goes from, you know, feeling a bit upset to animosity to anger and to full-fledged hate. You don’t want to cause that, the spark gives birth to that forest fire. You want to just let it vanish before, that’s all the science of mind that applies to every human being. So a part of transformation to inner means, that’s what I would call spirituality. But I would happily dispense of the word spirituality to say that it is a science of mind. A contemplative science."

- Matthieu Ricard

Huffington Post

[Xangsamhua]

Thank you. Always good to read and listen to Matthieu Ricard.

The photos in the video are by Dr Ricard, too. They can be viewed at http://www.matthieuricard.org/index.php/gallery/

[lungmi]

Do the good and forget it.

Don't think of rebirth, the realms of futur lives.

Luang Pho Kumjon

[dutchguest]

Just sitting and doing nothing. The grass grows by itself (a zenmaster).

(This is not so easy as it seems, especially for westerners, who are very restless, always think they must do something, time is money. Life is short. I.m.o. many easterners had, and still have less problems with it, they have many lifes at their disposal or even eternity, which is the same as being able to live in the here and now. Patience is an important part of finding peace of mind and becoming more receptive for deeper layers of existence and unlearning, unconditioning from all kind of compulsive habits which loose their sense of urgence and importance).

[camerata]

Let none find fault with others;

let none see the omissions and commissions of others.

But let one see one’s own acts, done and undone.

- Dhammapada v.50

[lungmi]

Back to the roots.

I had in Germany as medical coach a young boy in a wrestling team.

He was open to my Asian medicine and treatment.

I gave him instructions of Bodhidarma (legendary founder of Shaolin-Kungfu).

He had a big injury in the preparations for the European Championship of Cadets.

He didn't give up and was elected by the the National trainer.

He won the bronze medal.

My Bodhidarma Teaching was: You can fell 999 times, but if you can stand up 1000 times, you win.

He won.

16teen years old, but he understands Dhamma by doing with good friends.

[camerata]

The self that existed yesterday - that is, you - is different from the self that exists today.

- Khysentse Norbu, What Makes you not a Buddhist.

[Xangsamhua]

The last composition of Zen nun and poet, Ryonen (1797-1863):

Sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the changing scenes of autumn.

I have said enough about moonlight,

Ask me no more.

Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars, when no wind stirs.

.... and, in the recent past, Zen Master Charlotte Joko Beck's responses to an interviewer:

I read your books.

Oh you read. Well, give up reading, O.K.?

Give up reading your books?

Well, they’re all right. Read them once and that’s enough. Books are useful. But some people read for fifty years, you know. And they haven’t begun their practice.

[Xangsamhua]

"Going about with matted hair, without food or bath, sleeping on the ground smeared with dust or sitting motionless - no amount of penance can help a person whose mind is not purified. But those whose mind is serene and chaste, whose senses are controlled and whose life is nonviolent - these are the true brahmins, true monks, even if they wear fine clothes."

Dhammapada, 141-142 (Tr. by Eknath Easwaran)

[Xangsamhua]

"Do not find fault with others, do not injure others, but live in accordance with the dharma. Be moderate in eating and sleeping, and meditate on the highest. This sums up the teaching of the Buddhas."

Dhammapada, 185. (Tr. by Eknath Easwaran)

[Xangsamhua]

"There can be no meditation for those who are not wise, and no wisdom for those who do not meditate. Growing in wisdom through meditation you will surely be close to nirvana."

Dhammapada, v.372

[camerata]

Buddhist practice only works when it's on the edge. And that's what the renunciant lifestyle is about, what living in the wilderness is about, what meditation is all about - getting to the edge. Because that's where we are transformed.

- Ajahn Amaro

[camerata]

"Doubt regarding the practice will never disappear due to the words of others, it will only disappear due to our own practice." - Ajahn Chah

[lungmi]

If you cannot resolve the problems of today, go sleep. Tomorrow is a new day. You will be ready to clear the old day.

Luang Pho Kumjon.

[lungmi]

"Doubt regarding the practice will never disappear due to the words of others, it will only disappear due to our own practice." - Ajahn Chah

Good teaching even at a lower level. My wife told me about gossip: fart away.

[lungmi]

Sorry, the lowel level is not the Teaching of Adjahn Chah. My wife translate it to the lower level. But she is right.

[Xangsamhua]

The Buddha said: "Seeking but not finding the house builder, I traveled through the round of countless births. Oh, painful is birth ever and again! House builder you have now been seen. You shall not build the house again. Your rafters have been broken down; your ridge-pole is demolished too. My mind has now attained the unformed nibbana and reached the end of every kind of craving." (Dhammapada. 153-54.)