Tulku Urgyen RinpocheThe Buddha proved definitively that mere meditative concentration is not sufficient to gain liberation. Through meditation alone, one ends up in the realms of the meditation gods and the Formless Realms, states which in themselves definitely do not lead out of samsara. There is a famous quote: “If you know how to meditate, but not how to be free, then aren’t you just like the meditation gods?” So, it’s very important to know how to liberate your deluded thinking. That is the vital point.
Decorative dharma ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaOne should not view one’s dharma practice as being something decorative, regarding statues and images as material possessions or as furnishings for one’s house, or thinking that because there is an empty space on a wall one might as well put up a thangka for decoration. That kind of attitude should not be cultivated. When you arrange the statues or thangkas, you should do so out of a deep respect from the mind, moved by your faith and conviction. If you can arrange these physical representations—statues and so forth—out of deep respect and faith, that’s all right. On the other hand, the attitude that they are merely material possessions is dangerous and destructive. I think that some people who have a cupboard or the like in which they keep all their precious possessions may arrange an altar on it just for the sake of decoration. This is very wrong.
Having such motivations is not the proper way to become a Buddhist; the proper way to become a Buddhist is to bring about some positive change within the mind. Any practice that can give you more courage when you are undergoing a very difficult time and that can provide you with some kind of solace and calmness of mind is a true practice of the dharma.
Extirpating the darkness of living beings ~ Khunu Rinpoche
Khunu RinpocheThe sun, the moon, a lamp, a lightning flash —
they may illuminate, but they hardly clear away the inner murk.
This bodhicitta is extolled by the holy as completely
extirpating the darkness of living beings.
Importance of understanding our basic situation ~ Mingyur Rinpoche
Mingyur RinpocheWe have to understand our basic situation in order to work with it.
Communication ~ 17th Karmapa
17th KarmapaUnderstanding is crucial in all human communication. When faced with people who are inflexible in their views, that is the time for you to be at your most flexible and accommodating, and to bring all your wisdom and compassion to bear.
The difference between the enlightened and the confused state of mind ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaThe difference between the enlightened and the confused state of mind depends on whether you see situations as they are or you fail to see them as they are or are confused by them.
Not affected by praise or blame ~ Buddha Shakyamuni
Buddha ShakyamuniJust as a solid rock is not shaken by the storm, even so the wise are not affected by praise or blame.
Perceiving reality with an unfixated mind ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronEnlightenment — full enlightenment — is perceiving reality with an open, unfixated mind, even in the most difficult circumstances. It’s nothing more than that, actually.
Turning our mind to virtue ~ Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa RinpocheIf we always turn our mind to virtue, we always experience happiness as a result.
Returning to where you are ~ Dogen Zenji
Dogen ZenjiWhen you ride in a boat and watch the shore, you might assume that the shore is moving. But when you keep your eyes closely on the boat, you can see that the boat moves. Similarly, if you examine many things with a confused mind, you might suppose that your mind and nature are permanent. But when you practice intimately and return to where you are, it will be clear that there is nothing that has unchanging self.
Confusing Life ~ Ajahn Chah
Ajahn ChahWhen one does not understand death, life can be very confusing.
Don’t reject external phenomena ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheThe more you attempt to reject external phenomena, the more they will spring back to you. Hence, therefore, the importance of recognizing the empty nature of your thoughts and simply allowing them to dissolve.
Right there is enlightenment ~ Shunryu Suzuki
Shunryu SuzukiYou might think you could practice zazen much better if you had no problem, but actually some problem is necessary. It doesn’t have to be a big one. Through the difficulty you have you can practice zazen. This is an especially meaningful point, which is why Dogen Zenji says, “Practice and enlightenment are one.” Practice is something you do consciously, something you do with effort. There! Right there is enlightenment.
Breath ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat HanhBreath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.
There Are No Permanent Hateful States ~ Tai Situ Rinpoche
Tai Situ RinpocheWesterners often seem to have a problem with self-worth. Many people say they hate themselves, or don’t like themselves. They are sure they are no good. This is probably because they don’t understand the fact of buddha nature. Understanding buddha nature is the best means of overcoming this low self-esteem, but in addition to that is the practice of emptiness. From the emptiness point of view, the person who is hated, the self, is not there. And even if disagreeable traits are there, because of emptiness it is always possible to improve. There are no permanent hateful states. Emptiness is, in a way, like the Philosopher’s Stone that Western alchemists once searched for. It is there, but not there; it is the essence of everything; it is the question and the answer to all questions. That is emptiness.
Understanding the Seeker ~ Krishnamurti
KrishnamurtiIt is essential to understand the seeker, before you try to find out what it is he is seeking.
Open, spacious, and relaxed ~ Khenpo Tsultrim Rinpoche
Khenpo Tsultrim RinpocheIf we can see that things are not truly real – that they are mere appearances whose true nature is beyond all concepts of what it might be – then our experience of both good and bad events in life will be open, spacious, and relaxed.
All illuminating wisdom of reality ~ Milarepa
MilarepaWhen one comes to the essence of being,
The shining wisdom of reality
Illumines all like the cloudless sky.
Pride and pity ~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Dzongsar Khyentse RinpochePride and pity are closely related. Believing that your life is harder and sadder than everyone else’s is simply a manifestation of clinging to self. When the self develops self-pity, it eliminates any space that others have to feel compassionate.
Meditator ~ Dudjom Rinpoche
Dudjom RinpocheEven though the meditator may leave the meditation, the meditation will not leave the meditator.