Thubten Chodron > Quotes

“When you plant seeds in the garden, you don’t dig them up every day to see if they have sprouted yet. You simply water them and clear away the weeds; you know that the seeds will grow in time. Similarly, just do your daily practice and cultivate a kind heart. Abandon impatience and instead be content creating the causes for goodness; the results will come when they’re ready.”
― Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

“when we step on a thorn, our hand reaches down, pulls it out, and bandages the foot. The hand doesn’t say, “Foot, you’re so stupid! I told you to watch where you’re going, but you didn’t. Now I have to fix you up. Don’t forget that you owe me a favor!” Why doesn’t the hand “think” like this? Because the hand and the foot are part of the same organism, and they help each other naturally and without thinking.”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism for Beginners

“When Buddha spoke about suffering, he meant that we have unsatisfactory experiences. Even the happiness we have does not last forever, and that situation is unsatisfactory. The causes of our problems lie not in the external environment and those inhabiting it, but in our own mind. The disturbing attitudes and negative emotions, such as clinging attachment, anger, and ignorance are the real source of our unhappiness.”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism for Beginners

“The disturbing attitudes and negative emotions, such as clinging attachment, anger, and ignorance are the real source of our unhappiness.”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism for Beginners

“Since different explanations, symbolism, and practices benefit different people, the existence of a variety of spiritual paths enables each person to choose what suits him or her best.”
― Thubten Chodron, How to Free Your Mind: The Practice of Tara the Liberator

“Is it possible to eliminate our anger forever? Yes, it is, because anger is a false mind, an attitude based on a misconception. Anger is generated when we project negative qualities onto people and things. We misinterpret situations so they appear harmful to us. Absorbed in our own projections, we mistake them for the qualities of other people and get angry at what we ourselves have superimposed on them. The tragedy is that we’re not aware of this process, and mistakenly believe the rude, insensitive person we’re perceiving really exists out there.”
― Thubten Chodron, Open Heart, Clear Mind: An Introduction to the Buddha's Teachings

“If we frame a situation in terms of 'us versus them,' and claim our side is right because we care for the general welfare of society, while theirs is wrong, then our motivation is almost identical to theirs!...We must try to develop compassion for all parties involved in a conflict because each of them wishes to be happy and to avoid problems.”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism for Beginners

“At first, it’s hard for us to give to others, so we give a carrot from one hand to the other. Then we give away simple things, such as a jar of thumbtacks. Then, we grow a little bit and give away things that we hold more dear. Later, we can share our time or whatever else is more difficult for us to give. When we eventually become Tara, we will be able to give everything effortlessly and joyfully.”
― Thubten Chodron, How to Free Your Mind: The Practice of Tara the Liberator

“We’re responsible. We have control. The clear nature of our mind is always there, waiting to be revealed when the clouds of the disturbing attitudes are dispelled. This is our human beauty; this is our potential.”
― Thubten Chodron, Open Heart, Clear Mind: An Introduction to the Buddha's Teachings

“Incapaz de tolerar por más tiempo la frivolidad sin sentido de la vida de palacio, decidió dedicar su vida al cultivo del espíritu. Una noche abandonó el palacio, se deshizo de su ropa y sus adornos y se convirtió en un mendigo.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“Nos enseñan a manipular y a engañar para obtener lo que queremos y, a no ser que sea descubierta, vivimos ocultando nuestra deshonestidad. El gran número de políticos así como de altos cargos de la administración que tienen que afrontar demandas judiciales ilustra esto que estamos diciendo.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“When we step on a thorn, our hand reaches down and pulls the thorn from our foot. The hand doesn’t hesitate. It doesn’t think, “Why doesn’t the foot take care of itself? It’s so inconvenient for me to help it.” Why does the hand help the foot so easily? Because they’re seen as part of the same unit, our body. Similarly, if we regard all beings as part of a unit—life—then we won’t feel disturbed by helping others. We’ll be aiding another part of the larger unit of which we’re a part. Instead of conceiving of ourselves as independent people, we’ll understand that in fact we’re interdependent. Thus, we’ll help others as if we were helping ourselves. In this way, we’ll render aid free of pride. When the hand helps the foot, it doesn’t think, “I’m so great! Look at me. I sacrifice so much for this foot. I hope the foot appreciates what I’m doing for it!” The hand just helps. there’s no condescension or pride. Likewise, there’s no reason for us to boast of how much we do for others. If we habituate ourselves to the idea that we’re all part of one unit of life, helping others will be as simple as helping ourselves is now.”
― Thubten Chodron, Open Heart, Clear Mind: An Introduction to the Buddha's Teachings

“La felicidad, –y también la tristeza–, no se cruzan en nuestro camino por casualidad o accidente, ni se deben a que logremos apaciguar a algún ser superior imaginario. Como todas las cosas, en el universo la felicidad surge debido a causas específicas. Si creamos las causas para la felicidad, la felicidad resultante llegará. Este es un proceso sistemático de causa y efecto que se explicará en capítulos posteriores.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“Las causas de nuestros problemas residen, no en el entorno exterior y quienes lo habitan, sino en nuestra propia mente. Las actitudes perturbadoras y las emociones negativas, como el apego excesivo, la ira y la ignorancia, son el verdadero origen de nuestra infelicidad.”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism for Beginners

“Attachment resembles a flood; we are powerlessly swept along by its current. When our mind is attached to something, it has no space for anything else. We are obsessed with the object of our attachment; we worry about not getting it and fear losing it once we do. Drowning in the flood of attachment, we cannot breathe the fresh air of satisfaction and peace. We may want to get to dry land, but not seeing a life raft, we continue to be swept along uncontrollably. The Dharma is our life raft. Let’s make sure we hold on to it and not let it float past us.”
― Thubten Chodron, How to Free Your Mind: The Practice of Tara the Liberator

“we say people feel empty when they lack goals or close relationships with others or lack a sense of meaning in their lives. This is a lack of external relationships, clear personal goals, or internal tranquility. It is resolved by developing self-confidence, setting priorities in life, and letting go of unrealistic expectations.”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism for Beginners

“explore not only what the Buddha taught but also how it applies to our lives, to do this, we needn't call ourselves “Buddhists", for the search for happiness through living a meaningful life is universal. We'll try to look at our lives with common sense and clarity, as human beings seeking happiness and wisdom. This is the Buddhist approach.”
― Thubten Chodron, Open Heart, Clear Mind: An Introduction to the Buddha's Teachings

“Three jewels”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism For Beginners

“El budismo nos guía hacia la felicidad suprema, la cual proviene de la transformación de nuestra mente. Buda observó que cuando estamos apegados a los objetos de los sentidos, nos sentimos finalmente desdichados.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“THREE FAULTY POTS
The Buddha used the analogy of three faulty pots to explain how to remove obstructions to learning. The first pot is upside­ down. Nothing can be poured inside it. This is analogous to reading Dharma books while watching television. We're so dis­tracted that very little of what we read goes inside our minds. The second faulty pot has a hole in the bottom. Something may go inside, but it doesn't stay there. We may read the book with attention, but if a friend later asks us what the chapter was about, we can't remember The third defective pot is dirty. Even if we pour fresh clean milk inside and it stays there, it becomes undrinkable. This is similar to filtering what we read through our own preconceptions and ideas. We won't understand­ the subject correctly because it has been polluted with our misinterpretations.”
― Thubten Chodron, Open Heart, Clear Mind: An Introduction to the Buddha's Teachings

“podemos pensar que aquellos que nos dañaron actuaron de ese modo debido a su propia confusión e ignorancia. Aunque solamente querían ser felices, utilizaron los medios erróneos y se dañaron a sí mismos y a nosotros. Al pensar de esta manera podremos comenzar a perdonarlos y a curar nuestras heridas emocionales.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“Cuando te encuentres solo, observa tu mente. Cuando estés con gente, observa tu habla.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“Self-cherishing is a state of mind that is reflected in our actions. However, we can’t evaluate others’ degree of selfishness and altruism merely by their actions. For example, one person may flamboyantly give a thousand dollars to charity with the motivation to appear generous to her friends. Another person may humbly contribute five dollars to a charity with the sincere wish that others receive benefit. In fact, the latter person is the generous one, while the former is stingily seeking a good reputation.”
― Thubten Chodron, Open Heart, Clear Mind: An Introduction to the Buddha's Teachings

“En el estudio del budismo, no se espera que entendamos inmediatamente todo lo que nos enseñan. En cierto sentido, esto es diferente a la educación occidental, en la cual se supone que tenemos que memorizar, entender y repetir lo que nos enseñan. Al estudiar el darma –las enseñanzas de Buda– se asume que no todo aparecerá con claridad ante nosotros la primera vez que lo oigamos. Repasar el mismo material repetidamente revela a menudo nuevos significados. La discusión con amigos puede también clarificar nuestro entendimiento.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“Nuestros problemas no surgen porque los otros no sean lo que pensamos que eran, sino porque erróneamente pensamos que eran algo que no son.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“En este siglo, la compasión es una necesidad, no un lujo.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“Si deseas cada gozo, renuncia por completo a todo apego. Abandonando todo apego por completo, se halla el éxtasis más excelente.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“Como línea maestra, Buda aconsejó que evitásemos diez acciones que destruyen nuestra felicidad y la de los demás. Tres de ellas son físicas: matar, robar, y mantener una conducta sexual imprudente o poco aconsejable. Otras cuatro son verbales: mentir, calumniar, insultar, y conversar de un modo frívolo. Y tres son mentales: codiciar las posesiones ajenas, pensar con malicia y mantener visiones erróneas.”
― Thubten Chodron, Corazón abierto, Mente lúcida

“explore not only what the Buddha taught but also how it applies to our lives, lb do this, we needn't call ourselves “Buddhists," for the search for happiness through living a meaningful life is universal. Wfe'll try to look at our lives with common sense and clarity, as human beings seeking happiness and wisdom. This is the Buddhist approach.”
― Thubten Chodron, Open Heart, Clear Mind: An Introduction to the Buddha's Teachings

“The way to develop the altruistic intention
a. Seven points of cause and effect
1. Equanimity between fnend, enemy and stranger is the preliminary.
2. Seven points: recognizing sentient beings as your mother, remembening their kindness, wishing to repay it, heart-warming love, compassion, great determination, altruistic intention
b. Equalizing and exchanging self and others: equalizing self and others, disadvantages of selfishness, advantages of cherishing others, exchanging self and others, taking others’ suffering and giving them your happiness and its causes
c. Combining the above two methods into one”
― Thubten Chodron