Ajahn ChahDhamma is in your mind, not in the forest. Don’t believe others. Just listen to your mind. You don’t have to go and look anywhere else. Wisdom is in yourself, just like a sweet ripe mango is already in a young green one.
Dispeling misunderstandings ~ Chandrakirti
ChandrakirtiIf, in trying to understand the truth, one dispels misunderstandings, and therefore some philosophies cannot remain intact, that should not be considered as criticizing others’ views.
Dream like bondage ~ Khenpo Tsultrim Rinpoche
Khenpo Tsultrim Rinpoche“Self-liberation” is like being bound in iron chains in a dream. If you do not know you are dreaming, your bondage appears to be real, you think it is real, and your experience seems to confirm that it is real. But if you know you are dreaming, you know that the iron chains do not truly exist, and so you are not really bound by them. The bondage does not truly exist. In the dream, nothing needs to come along and set you free – you are free just as you are. The dream experience, even though it appears to be an experience of bondage, is in fact self-liberated.
Fully genuine ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaWhen relaxation develops in us, through letting go of neurosis and experiencing a sense of space and cool fresh air around us, we begin to feel good about ourselves. We feel that our existence is worthwhile. In turn we feel that our communication with others could also be worthwhile, pure, and good. On the whole we begin to feel that we are not cheating anybody; we are not making anything up on the spot. We begin to feel that we are fully genuine.
The Peaceful and Calming Victory Flag ~ 17th Karmapa
17th KarmapaA garland of dawn’s glowing moonlight this wisdom, profound and clear, sheds luminous joy.
Virtuous signs of radiant clarity, a cluster of lively moons turns in the gracious dance of emptiness, free of fabrication, and luminosity, cool and fresh;
A broad and calming shade of benefit and happiness permeates the whole universe.
The sweet melody of auspicious virtue and excellence for all beings resonates as the glorious ornament of the three realms.The two rising curves of pure gold are great joy’s loving, radiant smile;
The vibrant blue reflects the ultimate, dharmakaya lit by a vigorous and youthful sun; sphere of light, this hand draws
And plays, gathering into the glide of an image the unity of the profound and vast, the peaceful and soothing.
Throughout existence, may the victory banner of the Buddha’s teachings resound its famous and melodious song.
Taking care of enemies ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaWhen other beings, especially those who hold a grudge against you, abuse and harm you out of envy, you should not abandon them, but hold them as objects of your greatest compassion and take care of them.
Individual path ~ Lama Yeshe
Lama YesheOne of the hallmarks of buddhism is that you can’t say that everybody should do this, everybody should be like that; it depends on the individual.
Mastering concentration ~ Bhante Gunaratana
Bhante GunaratanaConcentration is a gathering together of all the positive forces of the mind and tightly focusing them into an intense beam. Mastering concentration means learning to aim that beam and keep it directed where we want it. This kind of concentration is strong and energetic, yet gentle, and it does not wander away. Building concentration is primarily a matter of removing certain mental factors that hinder its application. We then learn to point the beam at the right things, the really fruitful things within the mind. When we study these things carefully, they cease to bind us and we become free. Concentration, along with awareness, allows the mind to look at itself, to examine its own workings, to find and dissolve the things that impede its natural flow.
The purpose of seclusion ~ Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Tulku Urgyen RinpocheWith many distractions one is not able to practice the Dharma properly. Distraction means a lot of business, noise and things to do. When going up in the mountains there will be less distraction. That is the reason for mountain retreat. In addition to that, if one is able to keep some discipline, remaining in solitude without allowing outsiders to visit and not going out oneself, there will be no other distraction than that made by one’s own mind. External distractions have been eliminated. That is the purpose of seclusion.
Samsara ~ Tilopa
TilopaSamsara is to see fault in others.
A single ultimate view ~ Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro ThayeThe noble ones share a single ultimate view,
But arrogant ones bend that to their own interests.
Those who show all the teachings of the Buddha as without contradiction can be considered learned people,
But who would be foolish enough to think that those who cause discord are holders of the dharma?
Nourishing the seeds of basic goodness ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronWe all have the seeds of basic goodness within us — we only have to nourish them.
Dealing with our emotions ~ Ringu Tulku
Ringu TulkuWhen our usual habit of magnifying our feelings and our fascination resulting from that are gone, there will be no negativity and no fuel. We can relax within them. What we are trying to do, therefore, is to skillfully and subtly deal with our emotions. This is largely equivalent to the ability of exerting discipline.
Power of the Mind ~ Buddha Shakyamuni
Buddha ShakyamuniWhatever harm a foe may do to foe, or hater unto one he hates, the ill-directed mind indeed can do one greater harm.
What neither mother, nor father too, nor any other relative can do, the well-directed mind indeed can do one greater good.
The three primary afflictions ~ Mingyur Rinpoche
Mingyur RinpocheAlthough the texts of Buddhist psychology examine a wide range of conditioning factors, all of them agree in identifying three primary afflictions that form the basis of all other factors that inhabit our ability to see things as they really are: ignorance, attachment, and aversion.
Liberation is inside you ~ Tai Situ Rinpoche
Tai Situ RinpocheLiberation is not something you have to create; liberation is inside you.
Despite your wishes ~ Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi LodröThe bloom of a handsome youthful body withers with age.
Despite your wishes, you’ll experience the pain of disease,
And, with a final rasping cough, you’ll pass away.
Even now, the time for this draws near.
Son, Lodrö, think about it well!
May I lead all beings to happiness ~ Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi LodröFor however long I have left to live,
May I be devoted to the Dharma from the very core of my being,
And may whatever I do, say or think,
Be directed only to beings’ good,
Never entangled in selfish desires!May I set out upon the path to liberation,
And, mounting the steed of bodhicitta,
May I lead all beings to happiness!
A unique opportunity ~ Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi LodröNow, with these freedoms and advantages, you have a support for practice — a unique opportunity!
Rather than squander such an invaluable moment,
Why not strive to accomplish the goal of lasting happiness? Consider!
Careless one ~ Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi LodröCareless one! Put your hands to your heart and think:
These plans for the future, based upon a denial of death,
Undermine the real purpose of this and future lives,
And the enemy, Yama, will only catch you in his noose — think hard!