do not believe

do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher.
- buddha

do something

it is easier to meditate than to actually do something for others. i feel that merely to meditate on compassion is to take the passive option. our meditation should form the basis for action, for seizing the opportunity to do something.
- his holiness the dalai lama

the light from which everything in the universe comes

remember the clear light, the pure clear white light from which everything in the universe comes, to which everything in the universe returns; the original nature of your own mind. the natural state of the universe unmanifest.
let go into the clear light, trust it, merge with it. it is your own true nature, it is home.
- tibetan book of the dead

being peace

if we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.
-thich nhat hanh, "being peace"

observe life for what it is

so much fear and desire come from that commitment to "i am" - to being somebody. eventually they take us to anxiety and despair; life seems much more difficult and painful than it really is.
but when we just observe life for what it is, then it’s all right: the delights, the beauty, the pleasures are just that.
-ajahn sumedho, "seeing the way"

change

it is extremely important to investigate the causes or origins of suffering. one must begin that process by appreciating the impermanent, transient nature of our existence. all things, events and phenomena are dynamic, changing every moment, nothing remains static. meditating on one's blood circulation could serve to reinforce this idea: the blood is constantly flowing, it never stands still...
- his holiness the dalai lama

FOURTEEN PRECEPTS OF THE ORDER OF INTERBEING

by Thich Nhat Hahn

1. Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
2. Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded, and bound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
3. Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money , propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.
4. Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering, by all means, including personal contact and visits, images, and sound. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.
5. Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.
6. Do not maintain anger or hatred. Learn to penetrate and transform them while they are still seeds in your consciousness. As soon as anger or hatred arises, turn your attention to your breathing in order to see and understand the nature of your anger or hatred and the nature of the persons who have caused your anger or hatred.
7. Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing in order to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing, both inside and around yourself. Plant the seeds of joy, peace, and understanding in yourself in order to facilitate the work of transformation in the depth of your consciousness.
8. Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9. Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Do not utter words that cause division or hatred. Do not spread news that you do not know to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn things that you are not sure of. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.
10. Do not use the religious community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party. A religious community should, however, take a clear stand against oppression and injustice, and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
11. Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion.
12. Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.
13. Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others but prevent others from enriching themselves from human suffering or the suffering of other beings.
14. Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies for the realization of the Way. Sexual expression should not happen without love and commitment. In sexual relationships, be aware of future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.

your own reason

believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if i have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
-buddha

we are dependent on one another

because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. that is not just a dream but a necessity. we are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities.
- his holiness the dalai lama

let your love flow outward

let your love flow outward through the universe,
to its height, its depth, its broad extent
a limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
then as you stand or walk, sit or lie,
as long as you are awake, strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
your life will bring heaven to earth.
- sutta nipata

having enemies

if you can cultivate the right attitude, your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance and develop tolerance, patience and understanding.
-his holiness the dalai lama

incredibly sad...

but life is beautiful.
here, from within my heart, i make the vow to shun all evil - to achieve the good. from deep within my heart i seek my refuge.
-buddha

what are you grateful for in this moment?

that very seeing does not see
itself at all.
how can something that cannot see itself
see another?
-nagarjuna

walking on earth is a miracle

I like to walk alone on country paths, rice plants and wild grasses on both sides, putting each foot down on the earth in mindfulness, knowing that I walk on the wondrous earth. In such moments, existence is a miraculous and mysterious reality. People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child--our own two eyes. All is a miracle.-Thich Nhat Hanh, "Miracle of Mindfulness"

see everyone as buddha

see everyone as buddha. this purifies the mind of ignorance and arrogance.
-master baek, "polishing the diamond"

the things which renew humanity

teach this triple truth to all: a generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
-buddha

holding onto anger

holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
-buddha

way of the mind

the world is apprehended by way of the mind
the world is acted upon by way of the mind
and all good things and bad
exist in the world by way of the mind.
-samyutta nikaya

peace

peace comes from within. do not seek it without.
-buddha

passion overwhelms the mind

as rain penetrates an improperly shingled roof, so passion overwhelms a confused mind.
-buddha