Gyelse Tokme ZangpoEven though I may be destitute and despised by all,
Beset with terrible illness and plagued by evil spirits,
Still to take upon myself all beings’ ills and harmful actions,
Without ever losing heart — this is the practice of all the bodhisattvas.
Don’t move ~ Shunryu Suzuki
Shunryu SuzukiDon’t move. Just die over and over. Don’t anticipate. Nothing can save you now because you have only this moment. Not even enlightenment will help you now because there are no other moments. With no future, be true to yourself and express yourself fully. Don’t move.
The benefits of dharma ~ 17th Karmapa
17th KarmapaThe benefits of dharma recounted by the Buddha and his disciples are the results of the proper practice of dharma. You cannot reap all those benefits just by listening to a few teachings. If you do not practice, you will think that the dharma does not work – especially when problems arise and you cannot deal with them. You might even give up the dharma and never benefit from it. To enjoy its positive effects, practice it first.
Practice day and night ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheHaving this precious human life is like having a well-rigged ship on which to sail across the ocean to an island of treasures. As Shantideva says in The way of the Bodhisattva:
Cross the sea of emotions
On the boat of human existence.You have not obtained this precious human existence just by chance. It is the result of having heard the buddha’s name in a past life, having taken refuge in him, accumulated virtuous actions, and of having developed some wisdom. There is no certainty that you will obtain this vessel again.
If you fail to practice the Dharma in this life, it is certain that you will not obtain a human existence in the next life. To neglect such an opportunity would therefore be very foolish. Do not waste it. Practice day and night.
Putting your own individual life in order first ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaIf you want to solve the worlds problems you have to put your own household, your own individual life, in order first.
Absolute bodhicitta ~ Mingyur Rinpoche
Mingyur RinpocheAbsolute bodhicitta is the direct insight into the nature of mind. Within absolute bodhicitta, or the absolutely awakened mind, there is no distinction between subject and object, self and other; all sentient beings are spontaneously recognized as perfect manifestation of buddha nature.
Beyond punishment and reward ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronPain is not a punishment; pleasure is not a reward.
A simple, scientific fact ~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Dzongsar Khyentse RinpocheBuddha was not a pessimist or a doomsayer; he was a realist, while we tend to be escapists. When he stated that all assembled things are impermanent, he did not intend for that to be bad news; it is a simple, scientific fact. Depending on your perspective and on your understanding of this fact, it can become a gateway to inspiration and hope, glory and success.
Change within ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaTrue change is within; leave the outside as it is.
Vanishing the notion of enemy ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheTrample on anger with realization and it dissolves like a cloud in the sky; and as it dissolves, the notion of ‘enemy’ will vanish with it.
Back to square one ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaBy being back to square one constantly, we find lightheartedness in the ultimate sense.
Difference without Division ~ 17th Karmapa
17th KarmapaDiversity within a society does not have to be problematic; it can be a source of richness and enjoyment. We can recognize and enjoy differences, but we must be careful not to exaggerate their importance or solidify our differences. When we do, we easily lose sight of our shared humanity, and divide ourselves up into categories of us and them, higher and lower, better and worse.
Learning to appreciate the clarity of the mind ~ Mingyur Rinpoche
Mingyur RinpocheLearning to appreciate the clarity of the mind is a gradual process, just like developing an awareness of emptiness. First you get the main point, slowly grow more familiar with it, and then just continue training in recognition.
Clinging to happiness ~ Ajahn Chah
Ajahn ChahSensual indulgence and self-mortification are two paths the Buddha discouraged. This is just happiness and suffering. We imagine we have freed ourselves from suffering, but we haven’t. If we just cling to happiness, we will suffer again. That’s the way it is, people think contrarily.
Blissful is the accumulation of good ~ Buddha Shakyamuni
Buddha ShakyamuniShould a person do good, let him do it again and again. Let him find pleasure therein, for blissful is the accumulation of good.
Allow yourself to be happy now ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat HanhThe ocean of suffering is immense, but if you turn around, you can see the land. The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.
Clinging to delusory perceptions as real ~ Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
Gyelse Tokme ZangpoThe practice of all the bodhisattvas is to recognize delusion
Whenever one is confronted by adversity or misfortune.
For these sufferings are just like the death of a child in a dream,
And it’s so exhausting to cling to delusory perceptions as real.
Exposed ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaIn meditation practice, finally, we are exposed. We hoped that we wouldn’t have to go through the embarrassment of exposing ourselves; we hoped to bypass that particular area and become enlightened. You might talk about how bad you used to be. It’s okay to talk about that because it’s in the past; you are already a better person. The practice of meditation is the complete opposite of this. It’s not about getting a certain state of being at all. Meditation practice is a way of making friends with ourselves. Whether we are worthy or unworthy, that’s not the point. It’s developing a friendly attitude to ourselves, accepting the hidden neurosis coming through.
Everything is but an apparition ~ Longchenpa
LongchenpaSince everything is but an apparition,
Perfect in being what it is,
Having nothing to do with good and bad,
Acceptance or rejection,
You might as well burst out laughing!
Losing your vigilance even for a moment ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheIn the struggle against the emotions, if you lose your vigilance even for a moment you have to revive it at once — in the same way that a swordsman in battle who lets slip his sword must pick it up again immediately. The very instant an emotion arises, the thought of using the antidote should occur to you. What else is the dharma for, if it is not to stop you giving full vent to your negative emotions?