Jack Kornfield

"When we come into the present, we begin to feel the life around us again, but we also encounter whatever we have been avoiding. We must have the courage to face whatever is present / our pain, our desires, our grief, our loss, our secret hopes our love / everything that moves us most deeply."

Tenzin Gyatso

Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquillity and happiness we all seek.

Sogyo (1667-1731)

Careful!

Even moonlit dewdrops,

If you're lured to watch,

Are a wall before the Truth.

Tenzin Gyatso

We must recognise that the suffering of one person or one nation is the suffering of humanity. That the happiness of one person or nation is the happiness of humanity.

Ramana Maharshi

Without consciousness,

Time and space do not exist;

They appear within Consciousness

But have no reality of their own.

It is like a screen on which

All this is cast as pictures and move

As in a cinema show.

The Absolute Consciousness

Alone is our real nature.

Tenzin Gyatso

A truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change even if they behave negatively or hurt you.

Jack Kornfield

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.

Tenzin Gyatso

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.

The Buddha

May all living beings have happiness and the causes of happiness;

May all living beings be free from misery and the causes of misery;

May all living beings never be separated from happiness, devoid of misery;

May all living beings abide in equanimity free from prejudicial attachments and aversions.

Tenzin Gyatso

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.

The Buddha

May all beings everywhere plagued

with sufferings of body and mind

quickly be freed from their illnesses.

May those frightened cease to be afraid,

and may those bound be free.

May the powerless find power,

and may people think of befriending one another.

May those who find themselves in trackless,

fearful wilderness

--the children, the aged, the unprotected--

be guarded by beneficent celestials,

and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

Tenzin Gyatso

Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion.

Traditional Prayer

I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha

Until I attain Enlightenment.

By merit accumulations from practicing generosity and the other perfections

May I attain Enlightenment,

for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Tenzin Gyatso

We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.