Buddhism Full Quote List

Quote for Dhamma

"To the Dhamma for refuge I go." - Pali Canon

Quote for Paticcasamuppada (Dependent Arising)

"When this exists, that comes to be; with the arising of this, that arises." - Pali Canon

Quote for Anatta

The story of Nagasena and the chariot shows there is no fixed self, only parts put together. - Milindapañha

Quote for Anicca

The story of Kisa Gotami and the mustard seed shows that all families experience death and that everything is impermanent. - Pali Canon

Quote for Dukkha (3 Marks)

"Attachment is the root of all suffering." - Pali Canon

Quote for the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha)

"To the Buddha for refuge I go. To the Dhamma for refuge I go. To the Sangha for refuge I go." - Pali Canon

Quote for Theravada Buddhism

"No one saves us except ourselves." - Pali Canon

Quote for the Five Skandhas

"When the aggregates arise, decay and die, O bhikkhu, every moment you are born, decay, and die." - Pali Canon

Quote for Arhat

"Make an island of yourself, make yourself your refuge." - Buddha, Pali Canon

Quote for Mahayana Buddhism

The Parable of the Burning House shows the Buddha using skilful means to lead beings to safety. - Lotus Sutra

Quote for Sunyata

"Form is emptiness, emptiness is form." - Heart Sutra

Quote for Buddhahood/Buddha nature

"All living beings have the Buddha‑nature." - Mahayana sutras

Quote for Bodhisattva

The story of the Hungry Tigress shows the Bodhisattva sacrificing himself out of great compassion. - Jataka tale

Quote for Pure Land

"If a man recites my name even ten times, he will be born in my land." - Mahayana Pure Land sutra

Quote for the Buddha's Birth

The prophecy that Siddhartha would become either a great king or a great holy man. - Buddhist tradition / Jataka stories

Quote for Life of Luxury

The Parable of the Lute shows that living in luxury is like a string too loose: it will not lead to enlightenment. - Pali Canon

Quote for the Four Sights

"Birth is dukkha, aging is dukkha, death is dukkha." - Pali Canon

Quote for Asceticism

The Parable of the Lute shows that extreme asceticism is like a string too tight: it will snap and not lead to enlightenment. - Pali Canon

Quote for Enlightenment

"This earth is my witness." - Pali Canon

Quote for Dukkha (First Noble Truth)

"The world is afflicted with death and decay." - Pali Canon

Quote for Samudaya (Origin of suffering)

"Attachment is the root of suffering." - Pali Canon

Quote for Nirodha (Cessation of suffering)

The Parable of the Burning House shows the Buddha leading people out of suffering into safety. - Lotus Sutra

Quote for Magga (Path)

"You yourselves must strive; the Buddhas only show the way. Those who meditate and practise the path are freed from the bonds of Mara." - Pali Canon

Quote for Tanha

"There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires." - Pali Canon

Quote for the Three Poisons

The Tibetan Wheel of Life shows a cockerel (greed), a snake (hatred) and a pig (ignorance) at the centre. - Tibetan Wheel of Life

Quote for Vihara

"As long as the monks meet often and in large numbers... they will prosper." - Pali Canon

Quote for Gompa

"From meditation springs wisdom; from lack of meditation, loss of wisdom." - Pali Canon

Quote for Buddha rupa

"Whoever sees the Dhamma sees me." - Pali Canon

Quote for Offerings

"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving... they would not eat without having given." - Pali Canon

Quote for Artefacts

"To the Buddha for refuge I go." - Pali Canon

Quote for Mantras

"Om Mani Padme Hum." - Traditional Tibetan mantra encouraged by the Dalai Lama

Quote for Chanting for concentration

"To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to purify one's mind - this is the teaching of the Buddhas." - Pali Canon

Quote for Chanting for devotion (nembutsu)

"Namo Amida Butsu." - Pure Land tradition / Sukhāvatī sutras

Quote for Malas

"To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to purify one's mind - this is the teaching of the Buddhas." - Pali Canon

Quote for Samatha meditation

"To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to purify one's mind - this is the teaching of the Buddhas." - Pali Canon

Quote for Vipassana meditation

"From meditation springs wisdom; from lack of meditation, loss of wisdom." - Pali Canon

Quote for Visualisation

"If the mind is clear, whatever you do... will bring happiness." - Pali Canon

Quote for Death ceremonies - Tibetan sky funeral

The Hungry Tigress story shows compassion and giving up the body to help others. - Jataka tale

Quote for Death ceremonies - Japanese cremation / bone‑picking

The story of Kisa Gotami and the mustard seed shows that everyone experiences death. - Pali Canon

Quote for Wesak

"To the Sangha for refuge I go." - Pali Canon

Quote for Parinirvana Day

"All conditioned things are impermanent." - Pali Canon

Quote for Kamma (karma) and rebirth

"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving... they would not eat without having given." - Pali Canon

Quote for Compassion (karuna)

"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving... they would not eat without having given." - Pali Canon

Quote for Loving kindness (metta)

"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving... they would not eat without having given." - Pali Canon

Quote for Precept - Do not take life

"Hatred is never appeased by hatred; by love alone is hatred appeased." - Pali Canon

Quote for Precept - Do not take what is not given

"One should avoid evil, cultivate good, and purify the mind." - Pali Canon

Quote for Precept - Do not misuse the senses

"If the mind is clear, whatever you do... will bring happiness." - Pali Canon

Quote for Precept - Do not speak falsehoods

"One should avoid evil, cultivate good, and purify the mind." - Pali Canon

Quote for Precept - Do not take intoxicants

"If the mind is clear, whatever you do... will bring happiness." - Pali Canon

Quote for Generosity (Perfections)

"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving... they would not eat without having given." - Pali Canon

Quote for Patience (Perfections)

Enduring anger with patience is praised as the highest asceticism. - Idea from the Dhammapada

Quote for Morality (Perfections)

"Hatred is never appeased by hatred; by love alone is hatred appeased." - Pali Canon

Quote for Energy (Perfections)

"To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to purify one's mind - this is the teaching of the Buddhas." - Pali Canon

Quote for Meditation (Perfections)

"From meditation springs wisdom; from lack of meditation, loss of wisdom." - Pali Canon

Quote for Wisdom (Perfections)

"From meditation springs wisdom; from lack of meditation, loss of wisdom." - Pali Canon

DO not kill moral precept

One should not kill Dhammapada