Last week a reader contacted me on E.y.D with the subject line: Buddhist Bible?

Message:  “Just stumbled upon your site, and it is very inspiring. I need something to bring peace to my life. I just hit 50 and realized how miserable I have been for most of my life. Anyway, is there a Buddhist book similar to a Bible? What should I begin with? Again, wonderful site.”  Thanks, Katrina

I responded to Katrina and recommended the Dhammapada, which is essentially the words and teachings of The Buddha. I also promised to dig deeper and give a recommended reading list on Buddhism books for beginners.

But before we get to that, I have a confession to make. I am not a Buddhist. I am no Yogi, Zen Master or Guru. The only Nirvana I’ve ever reached was synthetically produced.  What I am, is a man trying to find peace and wisdom in this insatiably crazy world of ours. I’m the product of a hardcore Catholic family. My aunts are known to pass out  pamphlets at family picnics about the end of the world. (Seriously they do) And when a few of them found my site, they immediate thought I had become a Buddhist. The Truth is, I try to see the beauty in all religions. And the teachings of Zen and enlightenment help me live a better life.

By my own admission, I will always be a Catholic, but that won’t stop me from opening my eyes to the world and seeking joyful wisdom at every turn. My favorite English teacher, Mr. Nabaan, would explain to his students on their first day of class: “There is an infinite amount of knowledge in the world, and if you can grasp even a little speck of it, then you have accomplished something great.” Then he asked: “What knowledge do you want your life to be filled with?” That question has stuck with me for over 15 years now, and for good reason.

Buddhism books for beginners – Buddhist Bible

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh

“Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment!”

Buy Peace Is Every Step on Amazon

“If we do not have peace and joy right now,
when will we have peace and joy – tomorrow, or after tomorrow? What is preventing us from being happy right now?” Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind – S. Suzuki / Weatherhill / April 1972

Buy Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind on Amazon

“For Zen students the most important thing is not to be dualistic. Our “original mind” includes everything within itself. It is always rich and sufficient within itself. You should not lose your self-sufficient state of mind. This does not mean a closed mind, but actually an empty mind and a ready mind. If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.”
Shunryu Suzuki-roshi (1905 – 1971)

The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology by Jack Kornfield

“To undertake a genuine spiritual path is not to avoid difficulties but to learn the art of making mistakes wakefully, to bring to them the transformative power of our heart.” Jack Kornfield

Buy “The Wise Heart” on Amazon

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by Dalai Lama

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

Buy “The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living” on Amazon

“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness…” Dalai Lama

The Way of Zen by Alan Watts

“I have realized that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is.”

Buy “The Way of Zen” on Amazon

“We feel that our actions are voluntary when they follow a decision and involuntary when they happen without decision. But if a decision itself were voluntary every decision would have to be preceded by a decision to decide – An infinite regression which fortunately does not occur. Oddly enough, if we had to decide to decide, we would not be free to decide”. Alan Watts

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
Alan Watts quote

The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by:
Thich Nhat Hanh

“The Buddha said many times, ‘My teaching is like a finger pointing to the moon. Do not mistake the finger for the moon,’” p. 17.

Buy “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching” on Amazon

“I grew up in a time of war. There was destruction all around—children, adults, values, a whole country. As a young person, I suffered a lot. Once the door of awareness has been opened, you cannot close it. The wounds of war in me are still not all healed. There are nights I lie awake and embrace my people, my country, and the whole planet with my mindful breathing,” p. 5.

How to Practice : The Way to a Meaningful Life by his Holiness the Dalai Lama

“I believe that whether a person follows any religion or not is unimportant, he must have a good heart, a warm heart. This is essential for a happy life, which is much more important than Buddhahood.”

Buy “How to Practice : The Way to a Meaningful Life” on Amazon

“Basically, a human being is a social animal. So, if you create some short moment of happiness for people, you get deep satisfaction.” Dalai Lama

Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen

Buy “Buddhism Plain and Simple” on Amazon

“So you don’t have to do the long search, the frantic chase, the painful quest. You’re already right where you need to be.” We often think the purpose of taking up a spiritual practice is to produce good actions as opposed to bad. According to the Buddha-dharma, however, this is completely beside the point. The point is, rather, that we become aware of when and how we act out our intent.”  Steve Hagen, Buddhism Plain and Simple.

Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World by Lama Surya Das

Buy Awakening the Buddha Within” on Amazon

“The next time you feel so angry you could scream, ask yourself: Who is making me angry? Perhaps the anger is subtly directed at yourself. When our expectations are not met, we tend to blame others and get angry. But is our discontent really their fault? Shantideva said that anger is the greatest evil because it is so destructive and can cause so much harm. The trained mind of the Bohdisattva, like a peaceful lake, is able to transcend anger. Even if people throw sparks into it, it doesn’t explode because it’s like water and not volatile. The untrained mind, on the other hand, can be likened to a big pool of gasoline. Every spark makes it explode. In life, there will always be sparks. But does there have to be an explosion? That’s your responsibility. Nobody can make us angry if we have no seeds of anger left inside.” Lama Surya Das, Awakening the Buddha Within, Page 209.

Mindfulness in Plain English, Updated and Expanded Edition by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

Buy “Mindfulness in Plain English, Updated and Expanded Edition”

“Discipline” is a difficult word for most of us. It conjures up images of somebody standing over you with a stick, telling you that you’re wrong. But self-discipline is different. It’s the skill of seeing through the hollow shouting of your own impulses and piercing their secret. They have no power over you. It’s all a show, a deception. Your urges scream and bluster at you; they cajole; they coax; they threaten; but they really carry no stick at all.” Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki

Buy “Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings”

“An instant realization sees endless time.
Endless time is as one moment.
When one comprehends the endless moment
He realizes the person who is seeing it.”
Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, p. 158

The Accidental Buddhist by Dinty W. Moore

Buy “The Accidental Buddhist” on Amazon

“Though we often tend to blame them, it is not the external things like families, jobs or money that create problems for us in our lives. Rather, what actually makes us unhappy is our tendency to desire that these things bring us happiness. This expectation that family, job, money, a new car, whatever, will make us happy is what binds us and causes our discontent.” (p. 42)

“Being human, I succumb to this weakness constantly, wanting to be thinner, richer, taller, less gap-toothed, less busy. But I can catch myself, laugh at what a big silly guy I am, before the knot I am tying myself into becomes too tight to ever release itself. Humor and laughing at oneself is not Buddhism, but it can be a way into Buddhism.” Dinty W. Moore

The Blue Cliff Record by Thomas Cleary

Buy “The Blue Cliff Record” on Amazon

“Even to speak the word Buddha
is dragging it in the mud soaking wet.”

“The excitable observer will pass judgement first and then make knowledge conform to judgement; the prudent observer will first learn to know and then judge according to knowledge.” Thomas Cleary

Thanks Katrina for inspiring this post.  I hope you enjoy the list and find more happiness in your life. Kindest Regards, Jonathan

“You are perfect as you are, and you could use a little work.”
Shunryu Suzuki-roshi (1905 – 1971)

“Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.” Sri Nisargadatta

Please add any book recommendations to this list in my comment section below.  Or just ask me a question -  about anything.  Peace  E.y.D

Buddhist Bible – Buddhism books for beginners.

 

The Just

“A man is not wise because he has much to say. The wise man is he who is patient, fearless, and free from hatred.”  The Buddha verse 258 

“He is a true follower who has gone beyond both good and evil and who lives in the awakened way.”  The Buddha verse 267 

“A man is not noble if he injure any living creature. The noble man is gentle to all living creatures.”  The Buddha verse 270 

The Path

“Everything is changing. It arises and passes away. The one who realizes this is freed from sorrow. This is the shining path.” Verse 277 

“To exist is to know suffering. Realize this and be free from suffering. This is the radiant path.”  The Buddha verse 278 

“From meditation comes wisdom, and from lack of it wisdom decays. These are the two roads. Choose your one and let wisdom increase.”  The Buddha verse 282 

Forest Wisdom

“The wise will give up lesser pleasures to obtain joy.” The Buddha verse 290 

“The one who finds pleasure in giving suffering to others will never be free from hatred.” Verse 291 

“The followers of the awakened are watchful and enlightened, as they remember the mystery of the material worlds by day and by night.”  The Buddha verse 299 

“A person of confidence and goodness will be welcomed wherever they go.”  The Buddha verse 303 

“The good shine from afar like the Himalayas in the sun. But the bad move in the darkness as hidden as arrows in the night.”  Verse 303 

“Sitting and sleeping and living alone within yourself, joyous and energetic. The silent forest will delight you.”  Verse 305 

Torment

“Just as a blade of grass will cut the hand if clumsily grasped, so a life badly lived will destroy even a follower of the path.”  The Buddha verse 311 

“Do what has to be done with a resolute heart. The lazy follower who hesitates merely scatters the dust about the road.” The Buddha verse 313 

“Those who are ashamed where there is nothing to be ashamed of, and those who have no shame when there should be shame, have wrong ideas which lead to their downfall.”  The Buddha verse 316 

“Those who imagine evil when there is no evil and those who see no evil where it exists, have false ideas which cause their own undoing.” Verse 318 

“But those who observe evil as evil and good as good see correctly and reach a state of happiness.” The Buddha verse 319 

This post is part 4 of my continuing series featuring Buddhist teachings from the Dhammapada. You can start from the beginning with The Dhammapada - the essential teachings of the Buddha.  Please share your thoughts and feelings about the 5 precepts of the Buddha in my comment section below. 

EnligtenYouDay.com is launching its first monthly Newsletter. Be one of the first 250 to subscribe and get a free copy of my upcoming eBook. You can find my subscription form in the right hand column.

Kindest Regards,

 Jonathan

On a full-moon day of May, when the trees were blossoming, Queen Mahamaya gave birth to a son. In the Lumbini grove, under the shade of a flowering Sal tree, The Buddha, founder of the philosophy of Buddhism was born. He was known as Siddhattha. (Siddhartha = one whose purpose has been achieved). This is part 3 in my continuing series of Buddhist quotes from the Dhammapada. Each photo links directly to the original source.

Buddhist verses from Siddhartha – The Enlightened One

The World

“Do not live thoughtlessly, in distraction and with deluded aims, outside the universal law.”   The Buddha verse 167

“Rouse yourself and follow the enlightened way through the world with energy and joy.”  The Buddha verse  168

“Swans rise and fly through the air.  How magical they are! So do the resolute conquer the armies of delusion and rise above the world.”   The Buddha verse 175, The Dhammapada

The Awakened One

“It is hard to be born as a human being, and hard to live the life of one. It is even harder to hear of the path; and harder still to awake, to rise and to follow.”  verse 182

Yet the teaching of the Buddha is simple: ‘Cease to do evil, learn to do good. And purify your mind.’ verse 183

“Whoever reveres the awakened one and the noble path, will live in measureless serenity and peace. “

The Buddha, verse 196, The Dhammapada
 

Happiness

“Live happily, without hating even those who hate you.  Be free from hatred among those who hate.”  197

“Having tasted the sweetness of inner solitude and calmness, he who lives by the Law is free from fear and suffering.”  205

“Follow the wise, the intelligent and the awakened.  Follow them as the moon follows the path of the stars. “

The Buddha verse 208, The Dhammapada
 

Pleasure

“The good man who speaks the truth and lives it is respected wherever he goes.”  verse 217

“Just as the man returned home from a journey is met by this relatives and friends…”  verse 219

“So the man of good deeds will be welcomed in his new life by those good deeds.”   The Buddha verse 220, The Dhammapada.

Anger

“Overcome anger with kindness, evil with goodness, meanness with generosity and lying with truth.”  Verse 223

“Let a man be truthful and calm, and give to those who are in want.  By these means he will perfect himself.”  Verse 224

“Those who meditate and are watchful day and night will overcome their harmful thoughts and approach Nirvana.”  The Buddha verse  226, The Dhammapada

Impurity

“As a silversmith removes dust from silver, so the wise man rids himself gradually of all his impurities.” verse  239

“He who envies the food or gifts given to others will never know peace of mind for himself.”  verse 249

“There is no fire like hatred, no rushing river like craving, and no snare like illusion.”   The Buddha verse  251, The Dhammapada

If you missed part 1, or part 2, follow these links to enlightenment: The Dhammapada – the essential teachings of the Buddha and 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

The Dhammapada contains the most essential oral teachings of the Buddha.  Perhaps, the best know Buddhist text, it consists of 423 verses compiled in the 3rd century BCE.  The teachings of the Buddha aim to set out the Law of the Universe, and if we live within these laws, happiness and peace will be the result.

I am no Yogi, Buddhist, or true Zen practitioner. I’m just a guy trying to find a little peace in this crazy of a world of ours.  And one of my goals with E.Y.D is to share a little of that peace with you.  So I hope you will enjoy a few enlightening verses of wisdom.  Each photo links directly to its original source of Flickr, and you can find a full audio version of The Dhammapada on my Youtube Channel.

Part 1: the essential teachings of the Buddha – Verses from The Dhammapada

The Choice

“All that we are is the result of our thoughts; it is founded on our thoughts and made up of our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. If a man speaks or acts with a harmonious thought happiness follows him as his own shadow, never leaving him.”  The Buddha,  The Dhammapada v2

“Hating can never overcome hatred. Only love can bring the end of hating. This is the eternal law.”   v4

“All the holy words you read and all the holy words you speak are as nothing if you do not act upon them.  Even if you read little and say little but live the right way, forsaking craving, hatred and delusion, you will know the truth and find calmness and will show others the path.”  The Buddha,  v20 The Dhammapada

Watchfulness

“A kindly person who is energetic for good will be looked upon well by everybody.”   The Buddha, v24  The Dhammapada

“Stay awake. Watch and reflect.  Work with careful attention.  In this way you will find the lights within yourself.”   v27

“Watchful among the thoughtless, awake among the sleepers, the meditating man advances like a racer, without hindrance.”  The Buddha, v29   The Dhammapada

The Mind

“As the bowman makes straight his arrows, so the wise man straightens his unsteady mind.”   v33

“Such as wandering  mind is weak and unsteady, attracted here, there, and everywhere. How good it is to control it and know the happiness of freedom.”   v35

“A troubled mind, however, does not see the way.  If a man is ignorant and filled with doubt, he can never find the true path.”  v38

“Whatever an enemy may do, he cannot harm as much as your own wrongly directed thoughts.” v40
“But once you understand, no one – neither your father nor mother – can do much good to you as your own well-directed thoughts.”  The Buddha,  v43   The Dhammapada

Flowers

“While such a thoughtless man is gathering the flowers of pleasure, he is overtaken by death before he can ever be satisfied.”  v48

“When the bee collects honey it does not spoil the beauty or scent of the flower. So let the sage settled in himself and wander as he wills.”    v49

“Like beautiful flowers that have colour but no scent are the eloquent but empty sayings of the man who does not act according to his words.”   v51

“Craving never blocks the path of those who live upright lives. Their wisdom sets them free.“  The Buddha  The Dhammapada,  v57

The Fool

“The fool thinks anxiously, ‘The children and this wealth is mine.’ But he is not even master of himself, much less of children.”  The Buddha,  The Dhammapada  v62

“Do only what you will not regret and the fruit of your deeds will be reaped in joy.”  The Buddha,  The Dhammapada v68

The Wise Man

“Look upon the wise man how shows you where you are mistaken as a revealer of treasures. It is good to know such a man.”  The Buddha  The Dhammapada, v62.

“The wise man follows the way of the awakened. He lives happily, with his mind as ease.”  v72

“As the rock remains unmoved by the storm, so the wise remain unmoved by praise or blame.”  The Buddha The Dhammapada, v81