The disintegration of all things in their current or original state is inevitable. Every change contains within it an element of death. Today is the death of yesterday. Most people accept that everything born must eventually die; however, our definitions of “everything” and “death” may differ. For Siddhartha, birth refers to all creation — not just flowers and mushrooms and human beings, but everything that is born or assembled in any way. And death refers to any kind of disintegration or disassembly.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

from the book What Makes You Not a Buddhist

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Further quotes from the book What Makes You Not a Buddhist:

• Not a buddha yet
• Bound by practicality
• Understanding the nature of enlightenment
• Corrosion begins as soon as creation begins
• What is life?
• Like a child at the cinema
• Fearlessness
• Change is inevitable
• Where will they scatter my ashes
• Being a Buddhist
• Pride and pity
• Eventually we are disappointed
• Our true nature is like a wineglass
• The cup that holds the teachings
• Enlightened beings may seem insane
• Happily ever after
• The habit of self
• Clinging to our hopes and fears
• Appreciating the whole cycle of impermanence