Friday, November 30, 2007

The Dhammapada

There is no satisfying desires, even by a shower of gold pieces; he who knows that desires have a short taste and cause pain, he is wise.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

J. Krishnamurti

The moment you have in your heart this extraordinary thing called love and feel the depth, the delight, the ecstasy of it, you will discover that for you the world is transformed.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Why have we not ended conflict?
Isn't time the root of conflict?
Have religions succeeded in turning man to another direction?
Why has man moved in the wrong direction?
Is there a beginning not enmeshed in time?
Is there something beyond the mind?
Can the something beyond ever be put into words?
Is there anything that has no cause that we could say is absolute?
When division comes to an end the other is.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

J. Krishnamurti

Truth is not a matter of argumentation and conviction;

it is not the outcome of opinion.

Monday, November 26, 2007

The Dhammapada

But that is not a safe refuge, that is not the best refuge;
A man is not delivered from all pains after having gone to that refuge.
He who takes refuge with Buddha, the Law, and the Church;
He who, with clear understanding, sees the four holy truths:
*
These four holy truths are:
Suffering,
The origin of suffering,
The destruction suffering,
The eightfold holy way that leads to the quieting of suffering
*
That is the safe refuge, that is the best refuge; having gone to that refuge
A man is delivered from all suffering.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

On Politics


We choose our leaders, political or spiritual, out of our own confusion,
and so they also are confused.
We demand to be coaxed and comforted,
to be encouraged and gratified,
so we choose a candidate who will give us what we crave for.
We do not search out reality,
but go after gratification and sensation.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

The Dhammapada

Men, driven by fear, go to many a refuge, to mountains and forest, to groves and sacred trees.

Friday, November 23, 2007

J. Krishnamurti


If you are seeking gratification, you will naturally find what you desire, but do not let us call it truth.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

O Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and disciples of the past, present, and future:
Having remarkable qualities
Immeasurably vast as the ocean,
Who regard all helpless sentient beings as your only child;
Please consider the truth of my anguished pleas.
Buddha's full teachings dispel the pain of worldly existence and self-oriented peace;
May they flourish, spreading prosperity and happiness through-out this spacious world.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Dhammapada

Come.
Look at this glittering world,
Like a royal chariot;
The foolish are immersed in it,
But the wise do not touch it.

Monday, November 19, 2007

"I Do Nothing" - Dr. Howard Kutler

When you asked him to describe his job he said "I do nothing." What did he mean by that? I think the meaning was on several levels. But it certainly took me aback. I mean he's a tireless worker – he gets up 3:30, 4:00 every morning and does stuff nonstop. So on one level there was kind of a tongue-in-cheek element in that he was kind of sidestepping my question. I think part of that in fact has to do with his training as a Buddhist monk. I think they're prohibited from thinking about certain things in certain ways. So part of that was to sidestep the issue and joking around.


But eventually throughout our talks I discovered that there was a level of his response that was very genuine, in the sense that he really didn't think in terms of separating out various areas of his life -- whereas this group of activities was under the category of work and job, and then once 5 o'clock comes along then this other group of activities is my home life and friendships, relationships. And then on the weekends this group of activities is my leisure time. He's so fully present in every activity that he does, he brings his full self with him, he employs all of his strengths and ideas and capabilities equally in every task. So in his mind, in a sense, he has no job -- he has no separate category that's designated as work, it's all just part of his life.


But he goes about whatever's he doing in a happy way. There must be a tremendous amount of freedom in that way of life; if we don't have to behave a certain way in front of our boss, and a certain way in front of a stranger, or a certain way in front of our subordinates -- we just are who we are in any context, we'll have a life of much greater ease and freedom. The downside is that's not easy to do. It's taken him a lifetime of training his mind to achieve that. But I think all of us can aspire to get closer to that ideal, so that the closer we are between who we are and what we do I think the happier we'll be.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Meeting The Dalai Lama - Dr. Howard Cutler

I remember when I finally walked into the room to meet him he reached out to shake my hand and so graciously just said, 'Welcome to my home please sit down.' He completely put me at my ease. I was thunderstruck -- I expected somebody very regal, maybe a little bit aloof, on a higher plane than the rest of us. But he seemed so down to earth, so genuine and sincere and humble. He just seemed like an ordinary guy. He relates to people on that level, just like one human being to another.


As a friend of mine once described it, when you first meet him you expect to see the perfect king, the perfect ruler -- but instead what you see is the perfect servant. In terms of his personal qualities he's very smart -- he has a very quick mind, a very analytical mind, and a great sense of humor. Sometimes he's just broken up with laughter so that it takes a minute or two for him to settle down and stop chuckling so we can move forward and resume our conversation. He just has a very practical down-to-earth approach to life.


Also, he seems to be the same no matter where he is and no matter who he's with. He doesn't behave differently in front of the Tibetans or his staff, differently than when he might be meeting President Bush or leaders of Congress or that type of thing. You know how some people have their professional personality and then their off-duty personality. But he's the same wherever he goes, in any context, in any setting.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a Teacher who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for you , Ananda? There are these roots of trees, these empty huts. MEDITATE, Ananda, DO NOT DELAY, or else you will regret it later. This is our instruction to you."

The Buddha

Friday, November 16, 2007

Why do Buddhist monks and nuns wear a yellow robe?

When the ancient Indians looked into the jungle they could always tell which leaves were about to drop from the tree, because they were either yellow, orange or brown. Consequently, in India, yellow became the colour of renunciation. Monks and nuns robes are yellow so they can act as a constant reminder of the importance of not clinging, of letting go.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Khentrul Rinpoche

Think about the Saints. They are considered as such because they helped others, not because they had a fixation on themselves. So the most important factor is motivation, and the most honest way of thinking is the well-being of others.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

How To Find Happiness

Do not use harsh, abusive and sarcastic words.
*
Do not support those who have wrongs views.
*
Do not be guided by revenge.
*
Do not cause harm to anyone under somebody's influence.
*
Do not be engaged in any business involving harm to living beings, like poison, intoxicating objects, arms and meat.
*
Never deceive anybody, and be happy with what you earn.
*
Always try to do good to others.
*
Be happy in the happiness of all beings and sorrowful in their sorrows.
*
Provide shelter to one who is fearful.
*
Do not forsake friends in times of their danger or misfortune.
*
Help relations in times of need and treat them well.
*
Protect the property of relations.
*
Give them courage if they feel afraid.
*
Never renounce them in times of danger.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Thich Nhat Hanh

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,

but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Monday, November 12, 2007

The Sutra of Hui Neng


By amending our mistakes, we get wisdom.

By defending our faults, we betray an unsound mind.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Inscription on a Zen Gong

Birth and Death is a grave event;
How transient is life!
Every minute is to be grasped.
Time waits for nobody.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Master Hsuan Hua

If you wish others to know about your good deeds,

they are not truly good deeds.

If you fear others will find out about your bad deeds,

those are truly bad deeds.

Friday, November 9, 2007

The 14th Dalai Lama

The purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

The 14th Dalai Lama

We humans have existed in our present form for about a hundred thousand years. I believe that if during this time the human mind had been primarily controlled by anger and hatred, our overall population would have decreased. But today, despite all our wars, we find that the human population is greater than ever. This clearly indicates to me that love and compassion predominate in the world. And this is why unpleasant events are "news"; compassionate activities are so much a part of daily life that they are taken for granted and , therefore, largely ignored.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Bhaddekaratta Sutta

Do not pursue the past. Do not lose yourself in the future.
The past no longer is. The future has not yet come.
Looking deeply at life as it is.
In the very here and now, the practitioner dwells in stability and freedom.
We must be diligent today. To wait until tomorrow is too late.
Death comes unexpectedly. How can we bargain with it?
The sage calls a person who knows how to dwell in mindfulness night and day,
one who knows the better way to live alone.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The 14th Dalai Lama

Through violence, you may 'solve' one problem,
but you sow the seeds for another.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Dhammavadaka

Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown. None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and wearness will overtake you, and you will denied the joy that comes from labour's end.

Speak quietly and kindly and be not forward with either opinions or advice. If you talk much, this will make you deaf to what others say, and you should know that there are few so wise that they cannot learn from others. Be near when help is needed, but far when praise and thanks are being offered. Take small account of might, wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead, nurture love within you and and strive to be a friend to all.

Truly, compassion is a balm for many wounds. Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself. Cast off pretense and self-deception and see yourself as you really are. Despite all appearances, no one is really evil. They are led astray by ignorance. If you ponder this truth always you will offer more light, rather then blame and condemnation.

You, no less than all beings have Buddha Nature within. Your essential Mind is pure. Therefore, when defilements cause you to stumble and fall, let not remose nor dark foreboding cast you down. Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on. Faith is like a lamp and wisdom makes the flame burn bright. Carry this lamp always and in good time the darkness will yield and you will abide in the Light.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

The 14th Dalai Lama

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression

by saying something,

and sometimes one creates as significant an impression

by remaining silent.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Ajhan Chah

Do not try to become anything.

Do not make yourself into anything.

Do not be a meditator.

Do not become enlightened.

When you sit, let it be.

What you walk, let it be.

Grasp at nothing.

Resist nothing.

Friday, November 2, 2007

The 14th Dalai Lama

The creatures that inhabit this earth be they human beings or animals

are here to contribute, each in its own particular way,

to the beauty and prosperity of the world.

Thursday, November 1, 2007



Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,

and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared.