Teachings of the Buddha Quotes

“The human mind has absolute freedom within its true nature. You can attain your freedom intuitively. Do not work for freedom, rather allow the practice itself to be liberation. When you wish to rest, move your body slowly and stand up quietly. Practice this meditation in the morning or in the evening, or at any leisure time during the day. You will soon realize that your mental burdens are dropping away one by one, and that you are gaining an intuitive power hitherto unnoticed.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“DHAMMAPADA We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. Speak or act with an impure mind And trouble will follow you As the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart. We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. Speak or act with a pure mind And happiness will follow you As your shadow, unshakable. How can a troubled mind Understand the way? Your worst enemy cannot harm you As much as your own thoughts, unguarded. But once mastered, No one can help you as much, Not even your father or your mother. from the Dhammapada,”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“the midst of these forces with his heart open and his mind clear until he could see to the depths of human consciousness, until he discovered a place of peace at the center of them all. This was his enlightenment, the discovery of nirvana, the freeing of his heart from entanglement in all the conditions of the world.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“human freedom must come from practicing a life of inner and outer balance, and he called this discovery the Middle Path.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“thoughts of good or bad. Just relax and forget that you are meditating. Do not desire realization since that thought will keep you confused. Sit on a cushion in a manner as comfortable as possible, wearing loose clothing. Hold your body straight without leaning to the left or the right, forward or backward. Your ears should be in line with your shoulders, and your nose in a straight line with your navel. Keep your tongue at the roof of your mouth and close your lips. Keep your eyes slightly open, and breathe through your nostrils.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“Great Discourse on Blessings AT one time the Exalted One was living in Jeta Grove. A certain deity of astounding beauty approached the Exalted One and said: Many deities and humans have pondered on blessings. Tell me the blessings supreme. The Buddha replied: To associate not with the foolish, to be with the wise, to honor the worthy ones this is a blessing supreme. To reside in a suitable location, to have good past deeds done, to set oneself in the right direction this is a blessing supreme. To be well spoken, highly trained, well educated, skilled in handicraft, and highly disciplined, this is a blessing supreme. To be well caring of mother, of father, to look after spouse and children, to engage in a harmless occupation, this is a blessing supreme. Outstanding behavior, blameless action, open hands to all relatives and selfless giving, this is a blessing supreme. To cease and abstain from evil, to avoid intoxicants, to be diligent in virtuous practices, this is a blessing supreme. To be reverent and humble, content and grateful, to hear the Dharma at the right time, this is a blessing supreme. To be patient and obedient, to visit with spiritual people, to discuss the Dharma at the right time, this is a blessing supreme. To live austerely and purely, to see the noble truths, and to realize nirvana, this is the blessing supreme. A mind unshaken when touched by the worldly states, sorrowless, stainless, and secure, this is the blessing supreme. Those who have fulfilled all these are everywhere invincible; they find well-being everywhere, theirs is the blessing supreme. adapted from MANGALA SUTTA, translated by Gunaratana Mahathera”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“The deva asked, “What is the greatest gain? What is the greatest loss? What armor is invulnerable? What is the best weapon?” The Buddha replied, “The greatest gain is to give to others; the greatest loss is to receive without gratitude. Patience is an invulnerable armor; wisdom is the best weapon.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“Hence, the purpose of the Holy Life does not consist in acquiring alms, honor, or fame, nor in gaining morality, concentration, or the eye of knowledge. That unshakable deliverance of the heart: that, indeed, is the object of the Holy Life, that is its essence, that is its goal.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“The extinction of greed, the extinction of hate, the extinction of delusion: this, indeed, is called Nirvana.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“Before you begin meditation take several slow, deep breaths. Hold your body erect, allowing your breathing to become normal again. Many thoughts will crowd into your mind, ignore them, letting them go. If they persist be aware of them with the awareness which does not think. In other words, think non-thinking. Zen meditation is not physical culture, nor is it a method to gain something material. It is peacefulness and blessedness itself. It is the actualization of truth and wisdom. In your meditation you yourself are the mirror reflecting the solution of your problems.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“translated by Richard B. Clarke Practice of Meditation by Zen Master Dogen TRUTH is perfect and complete in itself. It is not something newly discovered; it has always existed. Truth is not far away; it is ever present. It is not something to be attained since not one of your steps leads away from it. Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things. The slightest movement of your dualistic thought will prevent you from entering the palace of meditation and wisdom. The Buddha meditated for six years, Bodhidharma for nine. The practice of meditation is not a method for the attainment of realization—it is enlightenment itself. Your search among books, word upon word, may lead you to the depths of knowledge, but it is not the way to receive the reflection of your true self. When you have thrown off your ideas as to mind and body, the original truth will fully appear. Zen is simply the expression of truth; therefore longing and striving are not the true attitudes of Zen. To actualize the blessedness of meditation you should practice with pure intention and firm determination. Your meditation room should be clean and quiet. Do not dwell in”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“Do not doubt its possibilities because of the simplicity of the method. If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“When you wish to rest, move your body slowly and stand up quietly. Practice this meditation in the morning or in the evening, or at any leisure time during the day. You will soon realize that your mental burdens are dropping away one by one, and that you are gaining an intuitive power hitherto unnoticed.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“In your meditation you yourself are the mirror reflecting the solution of your problems. The human mind has absolute freedom within its true nature. You can attain your freedom intuitively. Do not work for freedom, rather allow the practice itself to be liberation.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“Zen meditation is not physical culture, nor is it a method to gain something material. It is peacefulness and blessedness itself. It is the actualization of truth and wisdom.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“To actualize the blessedness of meditation you should practice with pure intention and firm determination. Your meditation room should be clean and quiet. Do not dwell in thoughts of good or bad. Just relax and forget that you are meditating. Do not desire realization since that thought will keep you confused.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“All dualities come from ignorant inference. They are like dreams or flowers in air: foolish to try to grasp them. Gain and loss, right and wrong: such thoughts must finally be abolished at once.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“If you wish to move in the One Way do not dislike even the world of senses and ideas. Indeed, to accept them fully is identical with true Enlightenment. The wise man strives to no goals but the foolish man fetters himself. There is one Dharma, not many; distinctions arise from the clinging needs of the ignorant. To seek Mind with the [discriminating] mind is the greatest of all mistakes.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“FLEETING WORLD Thus shall ye think of all this fleeting world: A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream; A flash of lightning in a summer cloud, A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream. from the Diamond Sutra, translated by A. F. Price”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“WISE HOUSEHOLDERS The wise who are trained and disciplined Shine out like beacon lights They earn money just as a bee Gathers honey without harming the flowers, And they let it grow as an anthill slowly gains in height. With wealth wisely gained They use it for the benefit of all.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“But all this treasure may not profit the owner at all, for she may forget where she has hidden it, or goblins may steal it, or her enemies or even her kinsmen may take it when she is careless. But by charity, goodness, restraint, and self-control man and woman alike can store up a well-hidden treasure—a treasure which cannot be given to others and which robbers cannot steal. A wise person should do good—that is the treasure which will not leave one. adapted from the Khuddhaka Patha, translated by A. L. Basham”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“One who is about to admonish another must realize within herself or himself five qualities before doing so. [He or she must intend] thus: “In due season will I speak, not out of season. In truth will I speak, not in falsehood. Gently will I speak, not harshly. To one’s profit will I speak, not to one’s loss. With kindly intent will I speak, not in anger.” adapted from the Vinaya Pitaka,”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“The deva asked, “Who is the most dangerous thief? What is the most precious treasure?” The Buddha replied, “Unwholesome thought is the most dangerous thief; virtue is the most precious treasure.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“The deva asked the Buddha, “What is the sharpest sword? What is the deadliest poison? What is the fiercest fire? What is the darkest night?” The Buddha replied, “A word spoken in wrath is the sharpest sword; covetousness is the deadliest poison; hatred is the fiercest fire; ignorance is the darkest night.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“LOOK WITHIN There is no fire like greed, No crime like hatred, No sorrow like separation, No sickness like hunger of heart, And no joy like the joy of freedom. Health, contentment and trust Are your greatest possessions, And freedom your greatest joy. Look within. Be still. Free from fear and attachment,”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“When he sees that these five hindrances have been abandoned within himself, he regards that as freedom from debt, as good health, as release from prison, as freedom from slavery, as a place of safety.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“ABANDONING ALL HINDRANCES “Endowed with this noble aggregate of moral discipline, this noble restraint over the sense faculties, this noble mindfulness and clear comprehension, and this noble contentment, a monk resorts to a secluded dwelling, sits down, crosses his legs, holds his body erect, and sets up mindfulness before him.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work, with mastery.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“Similarly there are those three qualities to which a devoted practitioner should, from time to time, pay attention to, namely, concentration, energetic effort, and equanimity. If one gives regular attention to these, then one’s mind will become pliant, workable, lucid, and not unwieldy, and it will be well concentrated upon overcoming all fetters and attachments.”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha

“MASTER YOURSELF Love yourself and be awake— Today, tomorrow, always. First establish yourself in the way, Then teach others, And so defeat sorrow. To straighten the crooked You must first do a harder thing— Straighten yourself. You are your only master. Who else? Subdue yourself, And discover your master. adapted from the Dhammapada, translated by Thomas Byrom”
― Jack Kornfield, Teachings of the Buddha