buddhism practices

Shrines

"Time and effort to keep the shrine clean and replenished with offerings and images is a skilful activity to focus one's mind in the spiritual practices." Lama Choedak Rinpoche

Monasteries (viharas)

"Such is the community of the Blessed One, … the greatest field of merit for the world" Anapanasati Sutta

Monasteries (viharas)

"The bhikkhu lifestyle is for the sole purpose of realizing Nibbana." Thiradhammo Bhikkhu

Samatha

"A controlled mind brings happiness." (Dhammapada 35/The Pali Canon)

Mindfulness of Breathing

"Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts." Thich Nhat Hanh

Vipassana

"To contemplate life leads to wisdom, without contemplation wisdom wanes." (Dhammapada 282/The Pali Canon)

Zazen? (Koans)

"Two hands clap and there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand?" Koan by Hakunin

Visualisation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

"Those who wish to visualize Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara should first visualize the mound of flesh on the head; next visualize the heavenly crown; then visualize the remaining physical characteristics in order." Amitayus Meditation Sutra (a Pure Land Sutra)

Wesak

"Like someone counting other's treasures/Without half a coin of his own:/So is the one who is learned/Who doesn't practice the teaching." Flower Garland Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra, read during Wesak)

Parinirvana Day

"All phenomena are impermanent. Strive with earnestness." (= the Buddha's last words) (Mahaparinirvana Sutta 63/The Pali Canon) (read during Parinirvana Day)

Theravada communities

"Impermanent alas are formations,/subject to rise and fall./Having arisen, they cease;/their subsiding is bliss." Mahaparinirvana Sutta (verse recited while donating cloth to monastery)

Japan

"By so understanding the meaning of death, we shall come to fully appreciate the meaning of this life, which is unrepeatable and thus to be treasured above all else." Rennyo's "White Ashes" poem. (read in Japanese funerals)

Tibet

"[death] comes to all. Do not cling, in fondness and weakness, to this life" Bardo Thodol (read in Tibetan funerals)

Kamma and samsara

"Whoever destroys a living creature, and speaks untruth, takes what is not given in the world, and goes to another's wife, and whatever man applies himself to drinking liquor and intoxicants, that person digs up his own root here in this very world." (Dhammapada 246-7/The Pali Canon)

Compassion (karuna)

"My heart and my brain are my temples. My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness" Dalai Lama

loving-kindness (metta)

"just as a mother would protect with her life her own son, one should cultivate an unbounded mind towards all beings, and loving-kindness towards all the world." (Metta sutta/The Pali Canon)

The Five Moral Precepts

"Kill not any beings nor cause them to be killed" (Dhammikasutta/The Pali Canon)

The Five Moral Precepts

"theft one should avoid" (Dhammikasutta/The Pali Canon)

The Five Moral Precepts

"go not beyond the bounds with others' partners." (Dhammikasutta/The Pali Canon)

The Five Moral Precepts

"speak not what is false" (Dhammikasutta/The Pali Canon)

The Five Moral Precepts

"in maddening drink [do not] indulge" (Dhammikasutta/The Pali Canon)

The Six Perfections

"A disciple asked: 'How many bases for training are there for those seeking enlightenment?' The Buddha replied: 'There are six: generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom'" (Large Sutra on the Perfection of Wisdom/Mahayana Sutras)