Siddhartha Gautama, who would one day become known as Buddha (“enlightened one” or “the awakened”), lived in Nepal during the 6th to 4th century B.C. While scholars agree that he did in fact live, the events of his life are still debated. According to the most widely known story of his life, after experimenting with different teachings for years, and finding none of them acceptable, Gautama spent a fateful night in deep meditation. During his meditation, all of the answers he had been seeking became clear, and achieved full awareness, thereby becoming Buddha. (Source).
The Wisdom of Buddha
Thoughts on the mind and wisdom
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.
All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain?
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
Thoughts on anger and resentment
You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.
Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
The tongue like a sharp knife… Kills without drawing blood.
“Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law.
Thoughts on the Self
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.
To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others.
Thoughts on the Truth and the Path to Enlightenment
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.
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.
You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Thoughts on Relationships and Goodness
To understand everything is to forgive everything.
However many holy words you read,However many you speak,What good will they do you If you do not act on upon them?
A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.
There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.
Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
Spiritual Secrets
When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.
A jug fills drop by drop.
The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.
Which of these quotes resonated with you?
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Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
The tongue like a sharp knife… Kills without drawing blood.
The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.
Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
These four made me think, and especially the last one, Corry, because it is something I have experienced often. The second one, I know it to be true, coz I’ve been shot and I have shot too, when frustration took over.
Wise words and teachings. And you seem to have repeated one twice too by mistake 🙂 Nice post and I enjoyed reading it.
Leo recently posted..The Sadhya
This was the quote that stood out for me the most today. Not just for me but for my coaching clients, too. I find that women struggle with this.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
So many of Buddha’s sayings speak to me. Thanks for sharing all these great thoughts today. I enjoyed reading them and it’s a great list to come back to.
These thoughts, especially, resonated with me. I have been punished by my own anger, anger punishes physically, mentally and emotionally. The other thoughts are truisms that you have expressed beautifully and that I understand, believe and try to live.
You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
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.
There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills
Diane Boyko Achatz recently posted..7 Reasons to LOVE it! Happy Birthday U.S.A.!!
These are truly inspirational. Some of them remind me of what you read in fortune cookies!
Stephanie Faris recently posted..Authors, Don’t Blast Your Co-Workers
Love these:
A jug fills drop by drop.
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.
You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.
Thank you Corinne! What a delightful way to start my day!
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Great collection of wise words here!
My favourite ones today have to be – “You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.” & “To understand everything is to forgive everything.”
If only I can also someday live by such wisdom.
Beloo Mehra recently posted..Yellow
Thanks for this one, Corinne. Buddha’s wisdom is so relevant in today’s age and a reminder that we have become lest we forgot. I am the follower of his simple life’s philosophy:)
Loved reading all the quotes on wisdom. Some of my favourites are –
All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain?
However many holy words you read,However many you speak,What good will they do you If you do not act on upon them?
To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others.
Interesting post. Thanks for sharing the wisdom.
Joyce recently posted..New Driver
Lovely collection here, Corinne. Thanks for sharing.
Buddha’s enlightenment & gyaan is a truth.
Glad that scholars have no doubt about his quotes, though they may argue about where exactly did he live. His teachings are so relevant even today.
I love all the quotes.
1 of them is even in the recent movie- Ek Villain- Love can win over hatred.
Special mention-
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”
Anita recently posted..At Home
I love this collection. It’s like a Greatest Hits page! “You are not punished for your anger, you are punished BY it.” Oh so true.
Carol Cassara recently posted..The canary in the mine
I thought I loved the ‘ punished by anger’ quote, till I came down to the jug that filled by drops 🙂
Yes, I love that jug.
Because the jug of mind was filled drop by drop, by each quote in this post.
So , if I were to choose the best quote, my jug would fill drop by drop !
Sreeja Praveen recently posted..Bonded by….
What we think, we become is the quote I have always believed to be true specially for me I remember my uncle telling me once I was young that once you start to fake being something you slowly start to actually become that so from a young age I started carrying a wallet just so that I could have that rich feel . Thank goodness my wallet is mostly always never empty 🙂
I would love to share another buddha quote which inspires me to this day.
“To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.”
Buddha – wantedquotes.com
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