In Buddhism we have relative truth and absolute truth.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
From henceforth … put away evil and do good.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
The virtuous (when injured) grieve not so much for their own pain as for the loss of happiness incurred by their injurers.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
The end of the pleasures of sense is as the lightning flash: … what profit, then, in doing iniquity?
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
It is not as a means of procuring my own happiness that I give in charity, but I love charity that I may do good to the world.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
If they may cause by it the happiness of others, even pain is highly esteemed by the righteous, as if it were gain.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
We will patiently suffer threats and blows at the hands of foolish men.
—Buddhist Teaching
In every condition, high or low, we find folly and ignorance (and men), carelessly following the dictates of … passion.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
As he said so he acted.
—Buddhist Teaching
Who that hears of him, but yearns with love?
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Silently shall I endure abuse as the elephant in battle endures the arrow sent from the bow: for the world is ill-natured.
—The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses
Loving all things which live even as themselves.
—Edwin Arnold (1832–1904) English Poet, Journalist, Editor
Let him not think detractingly of others.
—Buddhist Teaching
Overcome anger by love.
—The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses
But offer loving thoughts and acts to all.
—Edwin Arnold (1832–1904) English Poet, Journalist, Editor
I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Causing destruction to living beings, killing and mutilating, … stealing and speaking falsely, fraud and deception, … these are (what defile a man).
—Buddhist Teaching
There are no mundane things outside of Buddhism, and there is no Buddhism outside of mundane things.
—Buddhist Teaching
Like as the lotus is untarnished by the water, so is Nirvana by any evil dispositions.
—Nagasena (2nd c.BCE) Buddhist Intellectual
From the very first, … having no wish to benefit others, or to do good in the least degree, we have been adding sin unto sin; and even though our actual crimes have not been so great, yet a wicked heart has ruled us within. Day and night, without interval or hesitation, have we continually contrived how to do wrong.
—Buddhist Teaching
How great his pity and his love toward those who opposed his claims, neither rejoicing in their defeat, nor yet exulting in his own success.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Each of us in our own way can try to spread compassion into people’s hearts. Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the human “brain” with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the human “heart” with compassion. This is what the real role of religion is.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
A heart bound by affection does not mind imminent peril. Worse than death to such a one is the sorrow which the distress of a friend inflicts.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
Therefore should we encourage small desire, that we may have to give to him who needs.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
At the end of life the soul goes forth alone; whereupon only our good deeds befriend us.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Our loving Father, and Father of all that breathes.
—Buddhist Teaching
Fools of little understanding have themselves for their greatest enemies, for they do evil deeds which must bear bitter fruits.
—The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses
Doing no injury to any one, dwell in the world full of love and kindness.
—Nagasena (2nd c.BCE) Buddhist Intellectual
With not a thought of selfishness or covetous desire.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Whosoever … harms living beings, … and in whom there is no compassion for them, let us know such as a “base-born”.
—Buddhist Teaching