The Wisdom of the Buddha

“Through countless weary lives I have sought the builder of this house and could not find him.”  The Buddha verse 153 (Spoken by the Buddha when he became enlightened)

The wisdom of the Buddha is timeless. As I read more Buddhist text, I realize that wisdom hasn’t changed over the past few thousand years; and in a way that’s refreshing. When it comes to living a happy and balanced life, the knowledge remains the same.  Unfortunately, like most people living in a city of bright lights and big dreams; I forget – and my mind fills with cravings and secret delusions.

That opening quote from the Buddha stuck with me.  I instantly realized his message: in order to be free, we have to build our own house. The wisdom and help you need is everywhere, but at the end of the day, only you can lay the first and last stone.

This is part 2 in a 4 part series featuring quotes from the Buddha.  Click here for Part 1.  Each photo links directly to the original source.

The Sage

“Like a Swan that rises from the lake, with his thoughts at peace he moves onward, never looking back.”  The Buddha, verse 91, The Dhammapada

“Still and calm is he who has awakened. His mind is peaceful and his words and deeds reflect this.”  v 96

“In village or forest, on the hills or in the plain, wherever the awakened ones live is delightful.”  v 98

“Delightful are those forests where the worldly fail to find delight. There the awakened ones are joyful, wanting nothing.”   The Buddha, verse 99

The Thousands

“Better than a thousand meaningless words is one word of sense, which brings the hearer peace.”  v 100

“Though one man conquer a thousand men in battle a thousand times, he who conquers himself is the greatest warrior.”  v 103

“The conquest of oneself is better then the conquest of all others.”  v 104

“Better than a hundred years of ignorance and folly is one day of wise and clear-sighted living.” v 111

“ better then one hundred years of idleness is one day spent with energy and determination.”  v 112

“Better to understand for a single day the fleeting nature of things than to live for a hundred years without such understanding.”  The Buddha, verse 113, The Dhammapada.

Trouble

“Do good, and do it again and again, and gladness and happiness will be the outcome.”  The Buddha, verse  118

“Even a good man suffers trouble while his good deed has not ripened, but when it bears fruit he is happy.”  v 120

“Do not belittle your own goodness: ‘I have not deserved this.’ Drop by drop the pitcher is filled and the wise man is filled with virtue.”  v 122

“Like dust thrown against the wind, trouble falls back upon the fool who harms the harmless.”  v125

“Not in the sky, nor in the sea, nor in a cave in the mountains can a man escape from his harmful deeds.  The Buddha, verse 127, The Dhammapada.

Punishment

“All men fear pain and death, all men love life.  Remembering that he is one of them, let a man neither strike or kill.”  The Buddha verse 130

“He who is silent like a gong which is broken, knows stillness.  He reaches freedom, where there is no more striving.”  v 134

“Not nakedness, nor matted hair, nor fasting nor sleeping on the ground, neither rubbing the body with dust nor sitting like an ascetic can purify a man who has not solved his doubts.”  The Buddha verse 141 The Dhammapada

Old age

“The world is ablaze! Yet people laugh. They are clouded deep in darkness. Why do they not seek the light?”  The Buddha verse 146

“Just as the brilliant carriages of kings wear out, so does the body become old. But teachings of the wise never grow old, they pass on for ever to the good.”  v151

“Through countless weary lives I have sought the builder of this house and could not find him.”  The Buddha verse 154 (Spoken by the Buddha when he became enlightened)

“Now I have found you, O builder, and never again shall you build this house.  The rafters are snapped, the ridgepole is shattered.  My mind has reached the end of craving and is free.”  v 154

Self

“If a man is himself controlled, he will be able to control others. When he comes to know himself, he will be able to teach others.”  The Buddha verse 159

“It is easy to lose yourself in mischief.  What is helpful and good is often hard to do.”  verse 163

“By oneself evil is done; by oneself one suffers.  By oneself good is done; by oneself one is purified.  Purity and impurity belong to oneself. No one can purify another.”  The Buddha, verse 166

“Your work is to find out what your work should be and not to neglect it for another’s.  Clearly discover your work and attend to it with all your heart.”   The Buddha, verse 166, The Dhammapada.

The Dhammapada Part IIFrom: ceniboy | December 09, 2007 | 770 views