Those who believe in existence are born in higher realms. Those who believe that nothing exists are born in lower realms. By completely understanding the truth as it is, There is liberation without relying on the two extremes. Nagarjuna
Seeing what is not real, you are bound; Seeing the real, you are free. Nagarjuna
The victorious ones have said that emptiness is the relinquishing of all views. For whomever emptiness is a view, that one will accomplish nothing. Nagarjuna
All beings consist of causes and effects, In which there is no ‘sentient being’ at all. From phenomena which are exclusively empty, There arise only empty phenomena. All things are devoid of any ‘I’ or ‘mine’. Like a recitation, a candle, a mirror, a seal, A magnifying glass, a seed, sourness, or a sound, So […]
Just as a grammarian first has students Read a model of the alphabet, Buddha taught students The doctrine that they could bear. To some he taught doctrines To turn them away from ill-deeds. To some, for the sake of achieving merit. To some, doctrines based on duality. To some, doctrines based on non-duality. To some, […]
Homage to Manjusrikumarabhuta! 1. I bow down to the all-powerful Buddha Whose mind is free of attachment, Who in his compassion and wisdom Has taught the inexpressible. 2. In truth there is no birth – Then surely no cessation or liberation; The Buddha is like the sky And all beings have that nature. 3. Neither […]
Even three times a day to offer Three hundred cooking pots of food Does not match a portion of the merit In one instant of love. Though [through love] you are not liberated You will attain the eight good qualities of love — Gods and humans will be friendly, Even [non-humans] will protect you, You […]
The Buddha’s teaching of the Dharma is based on two truths: a truth of worldly convention and an ultimate truth. Those who do not understand the distinction drawn between these two truths do not understand the Buddha’s profound truth. Without a foundation in the conventional truth the significance of the ultimate cannot be taught. Without […]
By a misperception of emptiness A person of little intelligence is destroyed. Like a snake incorrectly seized Or like a spell incorrectly cast. For that reason — that the Dharma is Deep and difficult to understand and to learn — The Buddha’s mind despaired of Being able to teach it. Nagarjuna
If we grasp at the (five) aggregates, we are grasping at self. If we grasp at self, from that (arises) karma, and from (karma arises) birth. Through these three, without a beginning, middle, or end, Revolves the fire-brand circle of samsara By depending on each other as the cause. Nagarjuna
Homage to Mañjuśrī, the Youthful! These different links, twelve in number, Which Buddha taught as dependent origination, Can be summarized in three categories: Mental afflictions, karma and suffering. The first, eighth and ninth are afflictions, The second and tenth are karma, The remaining seven are suffering. Thus the twelve links are grouped in three. From […]
If the present and the future Depend on the past, Then the present and the future Would have existed in the past. If the present and future Did not exist there, How could the present and the Future be dependent on it? Without depending on the past, Neither of the two could be established. Therefore […]
The creation of illusion is nothing but illusion. When everything is compound there is nothing which can be regarded as a real thing. Such is the nature of all things. Nagarjuna
Someone who has acted carelessly, But later becomes careful and attentive, Is as beautiful as the bright moon emerging from the clouds. Nagarjuna
He is not the aggregates; nor other than the aggregates; No aggregates are there in him, and in the aggregates he is not found. The Tathagata is not the owner of the aggregates. What then is the Tathagata? Nagarjuna
You taught that whatever arises dependently Is free of ceasing, free of arising; Free of extinction, free of permanence; Free of coming, free of going; Free of being one, free of being many — You taught perfect peace, the easing of all elaborations. Perfect Buddha, supreme among speakers, I pay homage to you. Nagarjuna
A doer arises dependent on a doing, and a doing exists dependent on a doer. Except for that, we do not see another cause for their establishment. Nagarjuna
There is pleasure when a sore is scratched, But to be without sores is more pleasurable still. Just so, there are pleasures in worldly desires, But to be without desires is more pleasurable still. Nagarjuna
Virtues are acquired through endeavor, Which rests wholly upon yourself. So, to praise others for their virtues Can but encourage one’s own efforts. Nagarjuna
Covered by the web of disturbing emotions, One is a sentient being. Freed from disturbing emotions, One is called a buddha. Nagarjuna