What makes an action good or bad? Not how it looks, nor whether it is big or small, but the good or evil motivation behind it. No matter how many teachings you have heard, to be motivated by ordinary concerns — such as a desire for greatness, fame or whatever, is not the way of the true Dharma.

Patrul Rinpoche

from the book Words of My Perfect Teacher

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Further quotes from the book Words of My Perfect Teacher:

• Discovering Dharma
• Compassion
• The Six Paramitas
• Impermanence is everywhere
• At your feet I bow
• Aspiration for renunciation
• Peerless Teacher, at your feet I bow
• The result of learning, contemplation, and meditation
• Bright moon
• May our minds mingle with the Dharma
• The Three Defects when listening to the Dharma
• May we realize the natural state
• Diligence
• Arousing Bodhicitta
• Even the smallest amounts of merit
• Actions arising from anger
• No Life Guarantee
• Remembering impermanence
• The need to follow a spiritual teacher