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| "Constant talk does not mean wisdom. On the other hand, the signs of patience, love and freedom will direct you towards the wise person." 19.A Proper Life, Verse 258 |
| "You will suffer in this life and the next both from the actions and the knowledge of things you do wrong. If you do good, you can achieve overwhelming happiness in this world which will also be with you in the next." 1. The Opposites, Verses 17&18 |
| "Be wise, disciplined and non-violent and you will find peace. Be aware both night and day, continue your practice, and you will attain Nirvana." 17. Anger, Verses 225&226 |
| "In the noble eight-fold path what is Right Intention? The intention to be free from desire. The intention not to harm or be cruel." ~Digha Nikaya |
| "There is nothing sweeter than practice of truth. It has the sweetest taste and gives the greatest joy. It will end suffering" 24. Desires, Verse 354 |
| "If someone decries your faith, your belief, don't allow anger to take control." ~Brahmajala Sutta |
"The good desire nothing, do not speak of cravings and, regardless of what happens, are not influenced by good or bad. Such actions will highlight them as special people." 6. The Wise Person, Verses 83&84 |
| "Once one bad thought, word or deed has been created by someone, they are capable of much worse." 13.The World, Verse 176 |
| "Do not welcome praise, nor hide from blame. Listen to your Truth and stay calm and clear." 6. The Wise Person, Verses 81&82 |
| "Just because a person begs for their daily needs, it does not mean they are living a proper life. Look for chasity, non-attachment and discipline in practice before you award such an accolade." 19. A Prpoer Life, Verses 266&267 |
| "Few people see the light of truth within this world of darkness, in the same way few birds escape from the net which has caught them" 13. The World, Verse 174 |
| "The true holy person who follows their practice and the words of the Buddha, who applies that teaching to their everyday life, will light up the world with their beauty." 25. The Holy Person, Verses 381&382 |
| "In the noble eightfold path, what is Right Action? Not to kill, not to steal and not to engage in sexual misconduct." ~Digha Nikaya |
| "Even those who have taken holy orders can be bad and ill-disciplined and they will go to hell. It is better to swallow a red-hot ball of iron than to live falsely on the generosity of others." 22. Hell, Verses 307&308 |
| "Keep your mind fixed on non-violence and be sure in meditation both day and night" 21. Other Things, Verses 300&301 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who is a wanderer without passion." 26. The Highest, Verse 415 |
| "You are criticized if you talk too much. You are criticized if you talk too little. You are criticized if you talk just enough. No one escapes criticism." 17. Anger, Verse 227 |
| "In the same way the moon follows a set path between the stars, keep yourself fixed in the presence of a wise teacher and fellow aspirants." 15. Happiness, Verse 208 |
| "A wise person does not damage his or her environment." 4. Flowers, Verse 49 |
| "Selfishness corrupts, as weeds choke a field. Be free of selfishness, and honour those who are also free." 24. Desires, Verse 359 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who has no thought of good and bad. One who has great strength and courage." 26. The Highest, Verse 418 |
| "All craftspeople ply their trade, and spiritual aspirants are no different. They have trained their minds, not their hands." 6. The Wise Person, Verse 80 |
| "Live in accord with nature, and if you see things as they really are there will be no wanting in your life. This will give you detachment." ~Anguttara Nikaya |
"If you do no harm to others, then you will find happiness. If you do harm to others, then you will find suffering." 10.Retribution, Verses 131&132 |
"One thing is certain: your body will get old and die." 11. Old Age, Verse 148 |
| "The fragance of virtue stands alone, without equal." 4. Flowers, Verse 55 |
| "If you help others purely for the sake of helping, with no thought of personal gain and without wishing to be recognized for the help you give, you can be called truly virtuous." ~Jatakamala |
| "What is a pleasant feeling? What is an unpleasant feeling? What is the place in between these?" ~Majjhima Nikaya |
| "As a blade of grass can cut your finger, so an improper life by a so-called renunciant will only cause greater suffering." 22. Hell, Verse 311 |
"If you do something good, enjoy it, repeat it, allow it to become a way of life." 9. Bad Conduct, Verse 118 |
| " Without realizing, it is easy to carry out bad deeds. However, retribution will come, as certain as you would burn your hand if you placed it too close to a fire." 10. Retribution, Verse 136 |
| "Through awareness and perseverance you can break this cycle of birth and death and find yourself elevated to the highest. Therefore, awareness leads you forward, while lack of awareness leads you nowhere." 2. Awareness, Verse 21 |
| "You are like a withered leaf, ready to crumble in death's hand, and what preparations have you made? The time is now! Practice, become cleansed and be ready." 18. Flaws, Verses 235&236 |
| "If you hurt an innocent person, then you are only hurting yourself, just as dust thrown into a wind is blown in your face." 9. Bad Conduct, Verse 125 |
| "Once you are living your life in awareness, it will be as though you stand high above others, witnessing their suffering, while you do not suffer at all." 2. Awareness, Verse 28 |
| "You can suffer in this world and the next, or you can live your life properly. Rejoice in the happiness of now, safe in the knowledge of the future." 1. The Opposites, Verses 15&16 |
| "It is easy to be bad, more difficult to be good." 12. Self, Verse 163 |
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| "One hundred years without seeing either the deathless state or the Absolute Truth is nothing compared to the joy of a single day of true vision." 8. The Thousands, Verses 114& 115 |
| "Your skeletal frame is like the foundation of a house, and flesh and blood the plaster. Old age and death, pride and deception live in the house." 11.Old Age, Verse 150 |
| "It is good indeed to honour all Buddhas and their disciples, to follow one's practice and to live in harmony with other aspirants. This will give you great merit as you journey onwards." 14. The Buddha, Verses 194,195&196 |
| "If you cannot find a good companion to travel with, walk alone, like an elephant roaming the jungle. It is better to be alone than to be with those who will hinder your progress." 23. The Elephant, Verse 329&330 |
| "In ancient times elephants were used in battle and withstood the onslaught of many arrows. In your life, accept criticism whether it is justified or not." 23. The Elephant, Verse 320 |
| "There are those who are sorry for deeds which they need not worry about, and not sorry for deeds which they should worry about. These people are on the wrong path." 22.Hell, Verse 316 |
| "There are those who are afraid for the wrong reason and not afraid for the wrong reason. These people are on the wrong path." 22.Hell, Verse 317 |
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| "People think highly of someone following a spiritual path, who is committed to their practice and living their life properly." 16. Pleasure, Verse 217 |
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| "Who ranks as the highest? One who does not crave pleasure. For this is the end of suffering." 26.The Highest, Verses 401&402 |
| "Bad actions will always cause great suffering to those who create them." 12.Self, Verse 162 |
| "The mind, frightened by the lure of desire exerted by the material world, will thrash about like a fish freshly caught." 3. Thoughts, Verse 34 |
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| "Live one meditative day well, with morality, wisdom and goodness, rather than a hundred years badly." 8.The Thousands, Verses 110&111 |
| "There is no fire like passion. There is no grasp like hate. There is no trap like illusion. There is no flood like craving." 18.Flaws, Verse 251 |
| "A Buddha is not born just anywhere. However, where one is found you will also find great happiness." 14.The Buddha, Verse 193 |
| "Once you control your thoughts, which will wander all over the place if given the chance, you will escape the clutches of temptation" 3.Thoughts, Verse 37 |
| "Control your eyes, ears, nose, body, mind and thought. With such control, a holy person will be free from suffering." 25.The Holy Person, Verses 360&361 |
| "Effort given to satisfying idle fancies are rewarded only with sadness and fear. Avoid idle fancies and you avoid sadness and fear." 16.Pleasure, Verse 214 |
| "If you find yourself with no support on the spiritual path, then walk on alone. There is no point in trying to learn from those who have nothing to teach." 5.The Novice, Verse 61 |
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| Please choose a subject below to read Quotations from the specific verses. |
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| "If you do bad things you will feel fine until eventually you reap the consequences. Then you will know only suffering." 9. Bad Conduct, Verse 119 |
| "You could be born again or, if you do bad deeds, enter a world of suffering, and if you do good deeds, enter a world of joy. However, those who have found enlightenment attain Nirvana." 9. Bad Conduct, Verse 126 |
| "It is only you who can master your self. But once this is done, it is a rare blessing." 12. Self, Verse 160 |
| "You have to know how to follow your own practice, before the time arrives when you can help others follow theirs. This is not an easy task to master." 12. Self, Verse 159 |
| "Foolish novices are their own worst enemies, sowing bad deeds and reaping the consequences almost immediately, which you can see by the amount of suffering they are going through." 5. The Novice, Verses 66&67 |
| "The foolish novice, even if he or she spends a whole life with wise people, will never see the Truth. How can a spoon recognize a taste? However, a wise novice will know the Truth immediately, even if it is only for a moment." 5. The Novice, Verses 64&65 |
| "Give up anger and pride and have no attachments. If you do not possess anybody or anything, you will not have to endure suffering." 17. Anger, Verse 221 |
| "There will never be a person who receives only blame or only praise. but an enlightened being, endowed with the qualities of wisdom, insight and discipline, is free from blame." 17. Anger, Verses 228, 229, & 230 |
| "To have good friends is truly excellent. To have good friends when you die is absolutelt wonderful. But best of all it is good to overcome suffering." 23. The Elephant, Verse 331 |
| "An elephant in a rut will not eat and is hard to control." 23. The Elephant, Verse 324 |
| "Release the past, the present and the future. Give your mind the freedom it needs to take you beyond suffering." 24. Desires, Verse 348 |
| "Don't allow yourself to become free from one kind of suffering, only to be caught in another." 24. Desires, Verse 344 |
| "When desire takes hold it turns your life into one suffering. But if you overcome desire, you overcome suffering." 24. Desires, Verses 335&336 |
| "Those who break society's rules and who also drink too much are killing themselves. They have no discipline. Be aware of this and don't let temptation get the better of you." 18. Flaws, Verses 246, 247&248 |
| "Don't try to do too much, too quickly. Cleanse your mind of flaws little by little, making sure the job is well done. For if this is not done properly, then bad deeds will consume those who action them." 18. Flaws, Verses 239&240 |
| "For a person without concience, life seems easy. For a person striving to be pure, the journey is hard." 18. Flaws, Verses 244&245 |
| "Keep you mind fixed on holy company and be aware of the nature of your physical body both day and night." 21. Other Things, Verses 298&299 |
| "Keep your mind fixed on The Buddha and be steady in your practice both day and night." 21. Other Things, Verses 296&297 |
| "Live your life in happiness, owning nothing. Feed on happiness like lustrous gods. Be happiness itself." 15. Happiness, Verse 200 |
| "Triumph creates enmity, and those defeated live in pain. Be neither the vistor nor the vanquished, but live at peace with all." 15. Happiness, Verse 201 |
| "If you, the spiritual seeker, are forever aware, you will advance quickly towards your goal. With this attitude you will not be deterred; in fact, you will have almost attained Nirvana." 2. Awareness, Verses 31&32 |
| "Once you live your life in awareness, you will live in true happiness. This is what many great saints have done in the past." 2. Awareness, Verse 22 |
| "Be forever cautious among the worldly, alert among the apathetic. With this attitude you will soon leave others behind, since this will mark you as aware, while others will be seen as idle." 2. Awareness, Verses 29&30 |
| "A true holy person delights in what he or she is given, regardless of how much or how little. They are not attached to anything and live a life of loving kindness towards all. Such a life will find that place of peace." 25. The holy Person, Verses 366, 367&368 |
| "Meditate. Now meditate some more. Do not crave material pleasures and then cry for your loss. Only the wise can gain wisdom from meditation, and this is not for all. Fixed in meditiation you will find Nirvana." 25. The Holy Person, Verses 371&372 |
| "It is not how you look to the world that matters, but how you act. Observe your practice and rid yourself of desire. You will then become the Highest." 26. The Highest, Verses 395&396 |
| "If you lok like a recluse, it doesn't make you one. It is by your actions that you are judged. There is no point in taking the role of a recluse or an initiate if your mind is full of desire." 26. The Highest, Verses 393&394 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who acts properly. A recluse who has a pure mind and a traveller who has renounced all. One who is never angry and who never responds to others' anger." 26. The Highest, Verses 388&389 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who owns nothing, is atached to nothing." 26. The Highest, Verse 421 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who speaks gently and truthfull. One who asks for nothing and gives everything." 26. The Highest, Verses 408&409 |
| "Adultery will only lead to loss of status, lack of sleep, disgrace and an increase in suffering. What joy can there be when both parties are frightened of the consequences? Don't do it." 22. Hell, Verses 309&310 |
| "If a person ignores the spiritual path and believes life is simply for satisfying desires, then on the day they see an aspirant engaged in practice, living a life of peace, they will feel pangs of envy." 16. Pleasure, Verse 209 |
| "All fear retribution. All fear death. All love life. Do not kill or cause others to kill." 10. Retribution, Verses 129&130 |
| "Enjoy the company of the good, not the bad." 6. The Wise Person, Verse 78 |
| "Be wise. Learn what is real and what is not. what is necessary and what is not. Set your sights high and work steadfastly towards your goal." 1. The Opposites, Verses 11&12 |
| "Desire overwhelms those who only have pleasure as their aim in life, where as desire has no place in the life of one who is self-disciplined. Be like the mountain in the face of a strong wind, firm and steady." 1. The Opposites, Verses 7&8 |
| "Strife can only cause more strife. Only an open heart can put an end to strife. This is a Universal Law. Remember the centre point during a disagreement and strife will quickly end." 1. The Opposites, Verses 5&6 |
| "An untrained mind cannot resist the torrent of desire, while one that is steeped in practice and discipline is able to deflect any temptations, like a house with a solid roof remaining watertight in a shower of rain." 1. The Opposites, Verses 13&14 |
| "It is no good reciting the scriptures if you don't live your life by them. It is better to know a few texts well, to overcome desire and live your life properly. This will give you a wonderful life." 1. The Opposites, Verses 19&20 |
| "Be concious of how you live your life. Meditate, help others, maintain a pure mind and be alert to your discipline, and others will become aware of your efforts." 2. Awareness, Verse 24 |
| "In the same way that a florist chooses the right flowers for a garland, so you must make the right choice for your own spiritual path, in order that you may go beyond this world- beyond the world of death and beyond the world of gods." 4. Flowers, Verses 44&45 |
| "The fragrance of flowers cannot be smelled if you stand downwind, but the fragrance of good actions can be recognized anywhere." 4. Flowers, Verse 54 |
| "Words may be beautiful, but like the unscented flower, they do not necessarily carry sincerity, whereas the scented flower delivers what its beauty decrees. Your words should carry conviction in the same way." 4. Flowers, Verses 51&52 |
| "If you are always virtuous, temptation will never trouble you, and the fragrant scent of your good deeds will even reach the gods." 4. Flowers, Verses 56&57 |
| "A true Buddhist stands out among ordinary people, just as the lotus flower grows tall among weeds." 4. Flowers, Verses 58&59 |
| "Carry out your good deeds with a stout heart and you shall be happy, content and without suffering." 5. The Novice, Verse 68 |
| "The novice who knows he or she is just that, has a small amount of wisdom. But the novice who thinks he or she is wise, is a fool." 5. The Novice, Verse 63 |
| "If you adhere to what is taught by your teacher, your life will be full of happiness." 6. The Wise Person, Verse 79 |
| "Give up the dark side and be in the light. Seek happiness in solitude and not in material pleasures. Leave everything behind and regard nothing as your own. Follow your practice. Having done this, enlightenment will follow." 6. The Wise Person, Verses 87, 88&89 |
| "If you have the good fortune to find a wise teacher, then follow him or her and let them reveal hidden spiritual treasures. You can only benefit from this." 6. The Wise Person, Verse 76 |
| "If your teacher disciplines you, instructs you on what is right, or restrains you from doing wrong, such a person will be loved by the good and reviled by the bad." 6. The Wise Person, Verse 77 |
| "Once you reach the end of your spiritual journey, you will find freedom, a release from suffering." 7. The Enlightened One, Verse 90 |
| "Once you are able to control your senses and are free from pride- patient and steadfast- even the gods will cast envious looks at you. You wil be like a crystal-clear lake and have no need to consider rebirth." 7. The Enlightened One, Verses 94&95 |
| "It is better to conquer yourself than to conquer thousands of others. Victory over others is a hollow gain, while victory over oneself is something not even the gods can reverse." 8. The Thousands, Verses 103, 104&105 |
| "You can perform a thousand rituals for a hundred years, or tend a sacrificial fire in a forest for a thousand years, but to pay homage to an enlightened being will bring you much greater reward." 8. The Thousands, Verses 106&107 |
| "Live one meditative day well, with freedom, strength and wisdom, rather than a hundred years in laziness and bondage." 8. The Thousands, Verses 112&113 |
| "If you do something bad, don't enjoy it, or repeat it, or allow it to become a way of life." 9. Bad Conduct, Verse 117 |
| "Over time a pot will fill up from just a dripping tap. Similarly, over time bad actions will fill you with great suffering." 9. Bad Conduct, Verse 121 |
| "Suffering arrives in ten ways if you harm the innocent: pain, calamity, accident, illness, insanity, legal problems, accusations, death, or financial ruin; or your house may be burnt down. Following this you will go to hell." 10. Retribution, Verses 137, 138, 139&140 |
| "Your body is just a cosmetic plaything, prone to disease, decay and death. Perhaps it is time to see it for what it really is." 11. Old Age, Verse 147 |
| "Who will enjoy looking at you when there is no flesh on your bones?" 11. Old Age, Verse 149 |
| "A person not following a spiritual path grows large around the waist, but not large in knowledge." 11. Old Age, Verse 152 |
| "Bad actions committed by a person will eventually return to cause them suffering." 12. Self, Verse 161 |
| "Look at the world as a mirage, as a bubble floating in front of you. See it like this and death will have no fear for you, and you will not be attached to the world." 13. The World, Verses 170&171 |
| "You are what you think. Pain will follow bad thoughts as certain as happiness will follow good ones." 1.The Opposites, Verses 1&2 |
| "If you dwell on bad thoughts then your life will be full of negativity. However, if you don't allow bad thoughts you will be free of all things negative." 1.The Opposites, Verses 3&4 |
| "Not everyone who wears a holy robe is worthy to do so. Without purifying the mind first they are indulging in self-deception. Those who have found the centre point are worthy of your consideration." 1.The Opposites, Verses 9&10 |
| "Be like an island that no flood can engulf. To become like this, meditate, excercise self-control, perserve with your practice and live in awareness." 2.Awareness, Verse 25 |
| "Awareness is lost on those who are not on a spiritual path. For those who are spiritual seekers it is the greatest gift." 2.Awareness, Verse 26 |
| "Persevere with your meditation and you will attain the greatest freedom, Nirvana." 2.Awareness, Verse 23 |
| "Don't fall into temptation, don't desire material things. Meditate and achieve the greatest joy." 2.Awareness, Verse 27 |
| "The mind, agitated and unpredictable, needs to fix on a target, in the same way an archer directs an arrow, straight and true." 3.Thoughts, Verse 33 |
| "An untrained mind is your greatest enemy, while a disciplined mind is your greatest friend." 3.Thoughts, Verses 42&43 |
| "If you don't have a settled mind and don't understand the scriptures, there is little hope for you. However, if you have a mind steady in thoughts of purity, and unaffected by good or bad, then you will be aware of your destiny, free from fear." 3.Thoughts, Verses 38&39 |
| "Use wisdom, be free from attachment and defeat temptation, not just now, but forever. For your body will soon give up its worth to you, once life has left it." 3.Thoughts, Verses 40&41 |
| "Death carries away people engrossed in sensual pleasures, in the same way that a flood will sweep away a sleeping village." 4.Flowers, Verses 47&48 |
| "Don't dwell upon the faults of others, dwell upon your own." 4.Flowers, Verse 50 |
| "Many flowers can make many garlands, and many worthy actions can bring many benefits." 4.Flowers, Verse 53 |
| "Remember the body is not real. If you focus on this you will overcome temptations and break this cycle of birth and death." 4.Flowers, Verse 46 |
| "The road is long for the weary as is the night for those who cannot sleep. Longer still is the cycle of birth and death for those not following a spiritual path." 5.The Novice, Verse 60 |
| "Like fresh milk, it takes time for a bad deed to turn sour. Like a smouldering fire, it burns the novice slowly." 5.The Novice, Verse 71 |
| "Material gain or Nirvana? As an aspirant, a disciple of Buddha, you should ignore the former and strive for the latter." 5.The Novice, Verse 75 |
| "The novice will only realize suffering when the fruits of his or her bad deeds are born. Until then everything will be sweet as honey. Even though they may fast residuously, it means nothing if they don't understand." 5.The Novice, Verses 69&70 |
| "Even when the novice learns a little, it tends to be misused, and eventually cause him or her a serious headache." 5.The Novice, Verse 72 |
| "The novice may seek glory and power from his or her fellow aspirants. This is wrong, as it will only increase their conceit." 5.The Novice, Verses 73&74 |
| "If a person believes that 'these children, this wealth, is mine' then they are not a worthy companion." 5.The Novice, Verse 62 |
| "No matter how hard you may strive to reach the other shore, few succeed. However, persevere, and you will get there in the end, beyond the reach of death." 6.The Wise Person, Verses 85&86 |
| "Once your mind is still, and your words and actions are peaceful, you will be free from delusion and opposites, and ready for the final step of enlightenment." 7. The Enlightened One, Verses 96&97 |
| "To try and follow those who have no home, no possesions, who control their senses and consumption of food, is like trying to follow a flock of birds flying through the air." 7.The Enlightened One, Verses 92&93 |
| "The true aspirant is always striving for freedom and, as they have no home, is always moving onwards." 7.The Enlightened One, Verse 91 |
| "Wherever an enlightened being lives, be it in a village or a forest, on a mountain or in a valley, it will be known as a holy place and, regardless of the environment, he or she will be at peace, and experience only joy." 7.The Enlightened One, Verses 98&99 |
| "One well-chosen word or one-well chosen line of poetry, which brings the listener peace, is better than a thousand spoken in vain. One verse of the Buddha's teaching, which is certain to bring the listener peace, is better than a thousand spoken for no reason." 8.The Thousands, Verses 100,101&102 |
| "You will be rewarded for the four gifts if all you do is honour an enlightened being; they are health, happiness, beauty and longevity. This honouring is far more worthy than making shallow gifts and offerings." 8.The Thousands, Verses 108&109 |
| "If there is no open wound on your hand, then no infection can harm you. Similarly, no harm will come to you if you undertake no harmful actions." 9.Bad Conduct, Verse 124 |
| "Over time a pot will fill up from just a dripping tap. Similarly, over time good actions will fill you with great happiness." 9.Bad Conduct, Verse 122 |
| "Avoid bad actions, just as a merchant travelling alone avoids dangerous roads, and a lover of life avoids poison." 9.Bad Conduct, Verse 123 |
| "When the time comes for death to seek you out, there is nowhere to hide." 9.Bad Conduct, Verse 128 |
| "If you do something bad there is nowhere to hide." 9.Bad Conduct, Verse 127 |
| "If you do good things you may not feel fine until eventually you reap the consequences. Then you will only know happiness." 9.Bad Conduct, Verse 120 |
| "A disciplined horse needs no whip, and neither does the disciplined mind. Both are trained in good habits as a way of life." 10.Retribution, Verses 143&144 |
| "As a farmer irrigates the fields, as an archer guides the arrow, and as a carpenter shapes the wood, so the true disciple moulds his or her mind." 10.Retribution, Verse 145 |
| "As certainly as a drover leads cows to new pasture,so old age and death are inevitable." 10.Retribution, Verse 135 |
| "If you can still your mind, still as a broken gong, you will leave all unrest behind and attain Nirvana." 10.Retribution, Verse 134 |
| "It doesn't matter if you look like a renunciant; if you don't follow your practice, you are a sham. If you follow your practice sincerely, you can dress however you wish for all it matters. It's the practice that counts." 10.Retribution, Verses 141&142 |
| "A monarch's carriage eventually loses its shine and, similarly, the body decays. Enlightened beings have told us that truth and goodness live on." 11.Old Age, Verse 151 |
| "How can you enjoy material things, sensual pleasures, when the world is tumbling down around your ears? Stop living in darkness and search for the light." 11.Old Age, Verse 146 |
| "Having gone through many cycles of birth and death, the time will come when you are aware of the orchestrator of the merry-go-round. When this happens you need not be tempted at the fairground again, but walk straight through on the way to Nirvana." 11.Old Age, Verses 153&154 |
| "Those who have not followed a spiritual path will wither away as they get older. All they will be able to do is look back and reminisce about times past ." 11.Old Age, Verses 155&156 |
| "Once you have your own self in order, then you can help others do the same." 12.Self, Verse 158 |
| "First, look after yourself, and then, when you are sure of what to do, concentrate fully on that." 12.Self, Verse 166 |
| "Think well of yourself, but always be cautious." 12.Self, Verse 157 |
| "It is up to you whether you do bad things or hurt someone. Do not do either. We all have the choice to be good or bad, no one makes that choice for us." 12.Self, Verse 165 |
| "Foolish people who know no better will laugh at those on a spiritual path. Take no notice, for their life is full of suffering." 12.Self, Verse 164 |
| "When you become enlightened, when your good deeds overcome bad, you will illuminate the world as the moon does when it breaks free from the clouds." 13.The World, Verses 172&173 |
| "Those with a closed heart will go nowhere. Those with an open heart in all things will find great happiness." 13.The World, Verse 177 |
| "Don't live a bad life, be cautious in what you believe and think of others at all times. Don't be trapped in the world." 13.The World, Verse 167 |
| "Pull yourself together and focus on your practice. Make sure you stay on the right path and your life will be one of happiness." 13.The World, Verses 168&169 |
| "Swans fly along the path of the sun, and psychics seem to move beyond the world. Forget them; you must concentrate on your practice and attain Nirvana." 13.The World, Verse 175 |
| "A single step on the path of enlightenment is greater than being the ruler of the universe." 13.The World, Verse 178 |
| "By what path will you reach the Buddha, who is free from all desire, all attachment and all social conditioning?" 14.The Buddha, Verse 180 |
| "The Buddha is victory beyond all victories. By what path will you reach the Buddha?" 14.Ths Buddha, Verse 179 |
| "You are fortunate to be born a human being, but it is difficult to live life properly, even harder to follow a spiritual path and most difficult to attain Nirvana." 14.The Buddha, Verse 182 |
| "An enlightened being is much sought after everyone, even by the gods." 14.The Buddha, Verse 181 |
| "Persevere with that which is enduring and attain Nirvana. Do not speak ill of or harm another person, for that is not acceptable on a spiritual path. These are the words of the Buddha." 14.The Buddha, Verse 184 |
| "Avoid all bad things, only do good things and cleanse your mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha." 14.The Buddha, Verse 183 |
| "Speak little, speak only good and do not judge. Be moderate in food consumption and sleep. Follow your practice. These are the words of the Buddha." 14.The Buddha, Verse 185 |
| "Neither money nor sensual pleasures will satisfy your desires. Worldly things only cause more suffering, and a true follower of the Buddha dispenses with them." 14.The Buddha, Verses 186&187 |
| "It doesn't matter where you run and hide, you cannot escape desires this way." 14.The Buddha, Verses 188&189 |
| "Follow the Buddha, follow your practice and follow aspirants; learn the four noble truths and then enter the noble eightfold path, and only then can you be free from suffering." 14.The Buddha, Verses 190, 191&192 |
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| "Health is the finest prize, contentment the greatest wealth, a good friend the finest companion and Nirvana the greatest happiness." 15.Happiness, Verse 204 |
| "There is no fire like passion, no scourge like hatred, no ache like hunger, no suffering greater than mental anguish, no happiness greater than peace, and nothing greater than Nirvana." 15.Happiness, Verses 202&203 |
| "Live your life in happiness even when those around you lead lives which are unhealthy and wish to spread their illness to you. Be happiness itself." 15.Happiness, Verse 198 |
| "Live your life in happiness, even though those around you live their lives in discord and wish to spread their struggles to you. Be happiness itself." 15.Happiness, Verse 199 |
| "It is better to spend time with the wise and enlightened, rather than fools." 15.Happiness, Verse 206 |
| "It is better not to spend time with fools, who will obstruct your practice. Spending time with fellow aspirants will only enhance your practice." 15.Happiness, Verse 207 |
| "Enjoy the beauty of your practice. In the depths of your meditation experience the nectar of spiritual joy." 15.Happiness, Verse 205 |
| "Don't have preferences, don't become attached. If you have no likes and dislikes, no attachments, you will be free." 16.Pleasure, Verse 211 |
| "Desires create suffering whether they make you happy or sad. Use your practice to go beyond them." 16.Pleasure, Verse 210 |
| "Effort given to satisfying material desires is rewarded only with suffering and fear. Avoid material desires and you avoid suffering fear." 16.Pleasure, Verse 212 |
| "Cravings brings only sadness and fear. Avoid craving and you avoid sadness and fear." 16.Pleasure, Verse 216 |
| "Effort given to satisfying bodily desires is rewarded only with sadness and fear. Avoid bodily desires and you avoid fear." 16.Pleasure, Verse 215 |
| "As you are joyfully received home after a long journey away, so your good deeds will welcome you when you make the journey from this world to the next." 16.Pleasure, Verses 219&220 |
| "Once your longing for knowledge has been awakened, and the temptations of the world overcome, you are certain to ford the stream of life." 16.Pleasure, Verse 218 |
| "Speak the truth, don't give in to anger, and be generous. Follow these three principles and be wise." 17.Anger, Verse 224 |
| "Be gentle and abolish anger. Be good and overcome bad. Be generous and conquer greed. Be truthful and extinguish deception." 17.Anger, Verse 223 |
| "Don't give in to anger under any circumstances." 17.Anger, Verse 222 |
| "Avoid doing physical harm, causing mental anguish or using harsh words. Use body, mind and speech only for good, for such is the way of an enlightened being." 17.Anger, Verses 231,232,233&234 |
| "So now you are dead and you still have not prepared yourself for this journey. The time is now! Practice, become cleansed and gain freedom from the cycle of birth and death." 18.Flaws, Verses 237&238 |
| "The mantra is of no use when not chanted. The house decays when it is not repaired. The body deteriorates when it is not cared for. The guard fails when the eyes close." 18.Flaws, Verse 241 |
| "A lack of humility is a person's undoing. A lack of generosity destroys the gift. Bad actions are without grace. All these are caused by ignorance. Address this and shine in purity." 18.Flaws, Verses 242&243 |
| "Enjoy the gifts of others, be you the receiver or not. Each person gives for their own reason, and to worry about why will destroy your peace of mind." 18.Flaws, Verses 249&250 |
| "There is no stairway to the sky, no hiding place for fools and their desires. Others seem to revel in their misery, while you can transcend suffering, unshaken by change, steady in practice and freedom." 18.Flaws, Verses 254&255 |
| "Don't see other's faults, see your own. For if you dwell on other's faults, your own get stronger." 18.Flaws, Verses 252&253 |
| "The correct way of living is not found simply by discussing the theory of it. Even without study you can experience it, but you have to live it." 19.A Proper Life, Verse 259 |
| "If you can look at situations with a balanced point of view, without attachment or indulging in harmful acts, then it may be said that you are living a proper life, a righteous life." 19.A Proper Life, Verses 256&257 |
| "Old age doesn't necessarily make a person a wise elder. look for truth, non-violence, restraint and self-discipline, and then you may call that person an elder." 19.A Proper Life, Verses 260&261 |
| "If a person is still full of greed and desire, how can the shaving of their head make them virtuous? The true initiate has no desire and no greed." 19.A Proper Life, Verses 264&265 |
| "Neither pretty words nor a pretty face can make an envious, deceitful and greedy person beautiful of heart. Only those without these traits can be known as such." 19.A Proper Life, Verses 262&263 |
| "There is no justification for harming any living thing. If you do not hurt anything or anyone, you will be held in high esteem." 19.A Proper Life, Verse 270 |
| "It is not certain that ritual, study, meditation, mindfulness or a solitary life will bring you Nirvana. But you can achieve this, simply by living a proper life. 19.A Proper Life, Verses 271&272 |
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| "If you have faith and live a proper life, then people will be drawn to you. For those who are good shine like a mountain peak, while those who are bad disappear into the darkest valley." 21.Other Things, Verses 303&304 |
| "Would you rather have a trivial pleasure or the greatest happiness? Make sacrifices to attain the latter." 21.Other Things, Verse 290 |
| "Don't concentrate on the wrong things, do only the right things or else your suffering will increase. Those that follow their practice always do what needs to be done, and this will end their suffering." 21.Other Things, Verses 292&293 |
| "Destroy desire and conceit, lust and ego. This is the way the true spiritual seeker is freed from the cycle of birth and death." 21.Other Things, Verses 294&295 |
| "It is hard to live in the world and hard to live outside it. It is difficult to live with those who revel in the world and difficult not to have a permanent home. Be at peace and your suffering will end." 21.Other Things, Verse 302 |
| "Sit alone. Sleep alone. Travel alone. Do your practice alone. Enjoy your seclusion without desire." 21.Other Things, Verse 305 |
| "A person who lies and a person who denies their own actions are partners on the road to hell" 22.Hell, Verse 306 |
| "If you make vows, stick to them. If it is worth doing, do it properly. A half-hearted renunciant does more harm than good." 22.Hell, Verses 312&313 |
| "Bad actions create bad consequences. Good actions create good consequences. Undertake only good actions, but make sure you protect yourself and don't waste even a second. For time wasted means you are not going forwards quickly enough." 22.Hell, Verses 314&315 |
| "There are those who see right as wrong and wrong as right. These people are on the wrong path." 22.Hell, Verse 318 |
| "There are those who see wrong where there is wrong and right where there is right. They are following the right path to the greatest happiness." 22.Hell, Verse 319 |
| "Trained elephants used to carry kings into battle. Train your mind to carry the weight of criticism." 23.The Elephant, Verse 321 |
| "Trained mules, horses and elephants are all useful, but a well-trained mind is even more so. No trained animal ccan lead you to Nirvana, but a well-trained mind can." 23.The Elephant, Verses 322&323 |
| "If you over-eat, over-sleep and become too lazy to do anything, then rebirth is certain, time and time again." 23.The Elephant, Verse 325 |
| "Does your mind wander when it wants to? Excercise discipline and control it, as a mahout controls the elephant." 23.The Elephant, Verse 326 |
| "Be wary of negativity. Get yourself out of the darkness which waits to trap you." 23.The Elephant, Verse 327 |
| "If you find a good companion, who is following the same spiritual path, travel together, overcoming obstacles as they arise." 23.The Elephant, Verse 328 |
| "It is good to be a loving child to your parents. It is good to be a renunciant. It is good to be a virtuous in old age. It is good to be held in high esteem. But to achieve lasting joy, it is good to become enlightened." 23.The Elephant, Verses 332&333 |
| "The thoughtless person allows desire to grow like a creeper. From birth to the next, like a monkey in a forest swinging from tree to tree, it goes on." 24.Desires, Verse 334 |
| "Dig up and destroy the root of desire if you do not want temptation to control you rlife. For a tree which has been cut down will grow again if given the chance, and so will desire if the roots are not destroyed." 24.Desires, Verses 337&338 |
| "When the thirty-six streams of pleasure are in full flow, htey will drag you along. Be aware of their pull. Watch as a creeper grows and drags on you. Make sure you cut it out by the root." 24.Desires, Verses 339&340 |
| "Everyone wants to enjoy life to the full, but material pleasure will tie you to a life of birth and death. Running here and there, from one pleasure to the next, is not going to release you from suffering." 24.Desires, Verses 341, 342&343 |
| "Nothing holds tighter than attachment to family and money. Break these attachments by overcoming desire, and turn your back on material and sensual pleasures." 24.Desires, Verses 345&346 |
| "Desires will trap you like a spider caught in its own web. Break free of desires and break free of suffering." 24.Desires, Verse 347 |
| "If you want release from suffering then be done with doubt, desire and passion. Strengthen your practice, understand goodness and truth, and you will be free of suffering." 24.Desire, Verses 349&350 |
| "If yo are without fear and desire, have no attachments and understand the scriptures for what they really say, then this birth is your last." 24.Desires, Verses 351&352 |
| "Riches harm all, except those who undertake steady practice. Greedy people harm themselves and others." 24.Desires, Verse 355 |
| "Passion corrupts, as weeds choke a field. Be free from passion, and honour those who are also free." 24.Desires, Verse 356 |
| "Anger corrupts, as weeds choke a filed. Be free of anger, and honour those who are also free." 24.Desires, Verse 357 |
| "Delusion corrupts, as weeds choke a field. Be free od delusion, and honour those who are also free." 24.Desires, Verse 358 |
| "A true holy person speaks little, but when necessary uses words which are sweet. You will always se them following their practice, rejoice in truth and being constant in truth." 25.The Holy Person, Verse 362 |
| "A true holy person speaks little, but when necessary uses words which are sweet. You will always see them following their practice, rejoicing in truth and being constant in truth." 25.The Holy Person, Verses 363&364 |
| "A true holy person accepts what he or she is given, and is never envious. Envy does not assist meditation." 25.The Holy Person, Verse 365 |
| "A true holy person will empty his or her mind of all desire and hatred, in order that they may attain Nirvana." 25.The Holy Person, Verse 369 |
| "Rise above the five obstacles and be free from attachments. This will lead you to the greatest happiness." 25.The Holy Person, Verse 370 |
| "The true holy person has a mind so still that the most wonderful peace can be experienced. As mundane existence is considered, the joy of truth wells up in the heart of one so practised." 25.The Holy Person, Verses 373&374 |
| "Guard your senses. Practise contentment and discipline. Associate with like-minded people. Be friendly and polite. This is the way to Nirvana." 25.The Holy Person, Verses 375&376 |
| "As a plant sheds its withered flowers, so you must shed your desires and hatred. Be at peace in thought, word and deed, and let go of all attachment. This is the way of a true holy person." 25.The Holy Person, Verses 377&378 |
| "Be you rown worst critic, but also recognize your successes. Protect yourself and train yourself, and in this way you will live in great happiness." 25.The Holy Person, Verses 379&380 |
| "Ford the fiercest stream of life and overcome desire. Go beyond delusion and opposites. Concentrate on your practice. Attachment will fall away from you and you will know truth." 26.The Highest, Verses 383&384 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who has left anxiety behind and, being firm in practices, has acquired stillness of mind." 26.The Highest, Verses 385&386 |
| "The sun shines by day and the moon by night. What the warrior achieves in battle, so the Highest achieves in meditation. Whatever the time, the Buddha forever shines in love for all." 26.The highest, Verse 387 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who has worked hard to overcome desire. Who does not reap suffering because none is caused. Who controls every thought, word and deed." 26.The Highest, Verses 390&391 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who follows the teachings of the Buddha." 26.The Highest, Verse 392 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who is not afraid of breaking attachment, who has cast out anger and desire, and lifted the barrier which prevented any forward movement." 26.The Highest, Verses 397&398 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who endures all hardships equally. One who is patient and strong. One who never gives into anger. One who is experiencing their final body." 26.The Highest, Verses 399&400 |
| "Who ranks sa the Highest? One who is knowledgeable and wise. One who follows the correct path. One who is not attached to anything. One who needs nothing." 26.The Highest, Verses 403&404 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who does not harm anything. One who never retaliates. One who is always at peace regardless of the other person's disposition." 26.The Highest, Verses 405&406 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who has no desire, Hatred, conceit or dishonesty." 26.The Highest, Verse 407 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who has no desire at all, not even for enlightenment. One who has no attachments. One who is free from doubt. One who has gone beyond that which you can understand." 26.The Highest, Verses 410&411 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who hasd no thought of good and bad. One who is free from suffering, desire and impurity." 26.The Highest, Verse 412 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who seeks nothing. One who is as pure as the full moon." 26.The Highest, Verse 413 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who is settled in meditation. One who has reached the other side. One who is at peace." 26.The Highest, Verse 414 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who is a wanderer without desire." 26.The Highest, Verse 416 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who does not even have the desire to possess anything of a heavenly nature." 26.The Highest, Verse 417 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who watches things die and then be reborn, and is not attached to this cycle. One who lives a proper life." 26.The Highest, Verse 419 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who does not live in the past, the present or the future." 26.The Highest, Verse 420 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who is wise, heroic, courageous and strong." 26.The Highest, Verse 422 |
| "Who ranks as the Highest? One who sees everything and has ceased this cycly of birth and death." 26.The Highest, verse 423 |
| "Speak gently to everyone and they will respond accordingly. Harsh words hurt, and you will get them thrown back in your face." 10.Retribution, Verse 133 |
| "Live your life in happiness, even though those around you live their lives in hatred and wish to spread their antipathy to you. Be happiness itself." 15.Happiness, Verse 197 |