To expect happiness without giving up negative action is like holding your hand in a fire and hoping not to be burned. Of course, no one actually wants to suffer, to be sick, to be cold or hungry – but as long as we continue to indulge in wrong doing we will never put an end to suffering. Likewise, we will never achieve happiness, except through positive deeds, words, and thoughts. Positive action is something we have to cultivate ourselves; it can be neither bought nor stolen, and no one ever stumbles on it just by chance.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

from the book The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones

translated by Padmakara Translation Group


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Further quotes from the book The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones:

• Ordinary worldly goals
• No greater virtue
• Three turnings of the wheel of Dharma
• Don’t be like that
• Mind filled with faith
• The spear of mindfulness
• This is very shortsighted
• The shadow of our actions
• The only way to obtain lasting happiness
• At the time of death
• Two ways to meditate
• Mastery of the mind
• A lump of earth
• Following the view
• Seeing the truth of the teaching
• The intention to benefit others
• The gift of the Dharma
• Stillness and movement
• Remember death