Let not the member of Buddha’s order tremble at blame, neither let him puff himself up when praised.
—Buddhist Teaching
Everything is interconnected. My interest is linked to everyone else’s. Our survival and future are linked. Therefore the destruction of your so-called enemy is actually the destruction of your self.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
He that is rich but is not contented endures the pain of poverty.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
I would like to explain the meaning of compassion, which is often misunderstood. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend or an enemy, as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering, then on that basis we develop genuine concern for his or her problem. This is genuine compassion. Usually when we are concerned about a close friend, we call this compassion. This is not compassion; it is attachment. Even in marriage, those marriages that last only a short time do so because of attachment—although it is generally present—but because there is also compassion. Marriages that last only a short time do so because of a lack of compassion; there is only emotional attachment based on projection and expectation. When the only bond between close friends is attachment, then even a minor issue may cause one’s projections to change. As soon as our projections change, the attachment disappears—because that attachment was based solely on projection and expectation. It is possible to have compassion without attachment—and similarly, to have anger without hatred. Therefore we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment, and between anger and hatred. Such clarity is useful in our daily life and in our efforts towards world peace. I consider these to be basic spiritual values for the happiness of all human beings, regardless of whether one is a believer or a nonbeliever.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Not the whole world, … the ocean-girt earth, With all the seas and the hills that girdle it, Would I wish to possess with shame added thereto.
—Nagasena (2nd c.BCE) Buddhist Intellectual
If you urge that I am young and tender, and that the time for seeking wisdom is not yet, then you should know that to seek true religion, there never is a time not fit.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Scrupulously avoiding all wicked actions;
Reverently performing all virtuous ones;
Purifying his intention from all selfish ends:
This is the doctrine of all the Buddhas.
—Chi-kai
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
Clad in garments pure as the moonbeams, … her ornaments modesty and virtuous conduct.
—Buddhist Teaching
At first my sorrowing heart was heavy; but now my sorrow has brought forth only profit.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Like as a mother at the risk of her life watches over her only child, so also let every one cultivate towards all beings a boundless (friendly) mind.
—Buddhist Teaching
If you desire to honor Buddha, follow the example of his patience and long-suffering.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
He knew not the art of hypocrisy.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
Not by birth does one become low caste, not by birth a Brahman; by his deeds he becomes low caste, by his deeds he becomes a Brahman.
—Buddhist Teaching
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Let him that has a merciful character be my friend.
—Buddhist Teaching
Walk in the path of duty, do good to your brethren, and work no evil towards them.
—Buddhist Teaching
The whole world of sentient creatures enjoyed … universal tranquility.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Be kind to all that lives.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Whoso hurts not (living) creatures, whether those that tremble or those that are strong, nor yet kills nor causes to be killed, him do I call a Brahman.
—Buddhist Teaching
Always give in charity to people of good conduct.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
At morning, noon, and night successively, store up good works.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Now (said he) I will see a noble law, unlike the worldly methods known to men, … and will fight against the chief wrought upon man by sickness, age, and death.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
But offer loving thoughts and acts to all.
—Edwin Arnold (1832–1904) English Poet, Journalist, Editor
Root out the love of self.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
Let us live happily then, though we call nothing our own! We shall be like the bright gods, feeding on happiness!
—The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses
Happy is he that is virtuous.
—The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses
Anger, alas! how it changes the comely face! how it destroys the loveliness of beauty.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
They sought their daily gain righteously; no covetous, money-loving spirit prevailed; with pious intent they gave liberally; there was not a thought of any reward.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Fulfil the perfection of long-suffering; be thou patient under … reproach.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
If you desire to do something pleasing to me, then desist from hunting forever! The poor poor beasts of the forest, being … dull of intellect, are worthy of pity for this very reason.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
In order to terminate all suffering, be earnest in performing good deeds.
—Buddhist Teaching
Who that hears of him, but yearns with love?
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
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
With not a thought of selfishness or covetous desire.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
The man of honor should minister to his friends … by liberality, courtesy, benevolence, and by doing to them as he would be done by.
—Buddhist Teaching
To the self-reliant there is strength and joy.
—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king
Like as the lotus is untarnished by the water, so is Nirvana by any evil dispositions.
—Nagasena (2nd c.BCE) Buddhist Intellectual
The convent, which belongs to the West as it does to the East, to antiquity as it does to the present time, to Buddhism and Muhammadanism as it does to Christianity, is one of the optical devices whereby man gains a glimpse of infinity.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many things which perhaps are of no importance, that it cannot but see something feeble in a civilization which smiles as it refuses to make the battlefield the test of excellence.
—James Joyce (1882–1941) Irish Novelist, Poet
If you speak … to a woman, do it with pureness of heart…. Say to yourself: “Placed in this sinful world, let me be as the spotless lily, unsoiled by the mire in which it grows”. Is she old? regard her as your mother. Is she honorable? as your sister. Is She of small account? as a younger sister. Is she a child? then treat her with reverence and politeness.
—Buddhist Teaching
Let the wise man guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to perceive, very artful, and they rush wherever they list: thoughts well guarded bring happiness.
—The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses
Let us now unite in the practice of what is good, cherishing a gentle and sympathizing heart, and carefully cultivating good faith and righteousness.
—Buddhist Teaching
He who offends an offenseless man, … against such a fool the evil reverts, like fine dust thrown against the wind.
—Buddhist Teaching
Worship consists in fulfilling the design (of the person honored), not in offerings of perfumes, garlands, and the like.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
Almsgiving, it is said, constitutes the value of riches.
—The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
Where there is uprightness, wisdom is there, and where there is wisdom, uprightness is there.
—Buddhist Teaching
Cultivate compassion.
—Buddhist Teaching
May my thoughts, now small and narrow, expand in the next existence, that I may understand the precepts … thoroughly, and never break them or be guilty of trespasses.
—Buddhist Teaching
In the body restraint is good, good is restraint in speech, in thought restraint is good, good is restraint in all things. A Bhikshu, restrained in all things, is freed from all pain.
—The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses