Buddhism for Beginners Quotes

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“We can look at our work as service to society and as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves by interacting with others. Our work will thus become an occasion to practice the teachings that we meditate on.”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism for Beginners

“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

“Three jewels”
― Thubten Chodron, Buddhism For Beginners