Buddhist sources of Wisdom

The declaration the Buddha made at his birth, showing understanding in his role to attain enlightenment and show the path to the end of universal suffering

“I am the chief of the world, Foremost. This is my last birth. There is now no more coming to be.” - The Buddha

This quote relates to the four sights seen by Siddhartha Gautama, prompting his realisation on life’s impermanence and suffering setting him on his path to enlightenment

“Behold O monks this is the nature of all conditions. Arising and Passing away.” - The Buddha

This teaches to Mahayana Buddhists that everyone has the potential to achieve enlightenment, not just monks or corporate elites

“All living beings alike can become Buddhas” - Lotus Sutra, chapter 2

This presents the idea that the buddha didn’t cease to exist after physical death but continues to be present in the world, guiding and aiding beings

“The true entity of all phenomena can only be understood and shared between Buddhas.” - Lotus sutra chapter 2

This is the concept of skilful means (upaya) referring to the Buddha’s ability to teach in ways which are most appropriate for different individuals, helping them towards enlightenment

“I use various kinds of explanations, illustrations and skilful means to reveal the Dharma “ - Lotus sutra chapter 2

The threefold refuge -

the foundation of Buddhist practice, representing the commitment to the Buddha, his teachings (Dharma), and the community of practitioners (Sangha).

“ I take refuge in the Buddha,

I take refuge in the Dharma,

I take refuge in the Sangha.”

This quote emphasizes the significance of making offerings and performing acts of devotion in Buddhism, illustrating how such actions generate merit and contribute to spiritual growth.

“No question, if somebody puts their palm together or offers flowers or perfumes of incense or light; this one collects a number greater merit than that” - The Buddha

This quote expresses the idea that spirituality and wisdom do not depend on external structures, sanghas or temples, but rather on kindness and the inner intentions of individuals.

“There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples: My philosophy is kindness.” - Dalai Lama

This quote highlights the importance of mindfulness and insight in Buddhism, emphasizing that through dedicated practice, one can understand reality and cultivate virtuous qualities.

“It’s about seeing into the true nature of things and developing though rigorous training, the virtue of mindfulness” - Prof. Wendy Dossett

This quote stresses the need for self-reflection to gain clarity about one's internal motivations and to progress in spiritual practice.

“Like some farmyard dog on a chain, which surges this way then that without ever making any real progression. We aren’t fully aware of our own motivations and intentions unless we actually step and take time to reflect on our thoughts and actions.” - Prof. Wendy Dossett

This last quote from The Buddha emphasizes the impermanence of all phenomena and the importance of personal responsibility in spiritual development and enlightenment.

“Subject to decay are all compounded things so be mindful and vigilant in working out your own salvation” - Final words of the Buddha

This statement reflects on the significance of understanding death in relation to life, suggesting that an awareness of mortality can lead to deeper insights and growth in one's spiritual journey. Criticising the typical view of those in the west on it.

“At the moment our death, our life becomes clear. Death is our greatest teacher. But unfortunately people in the west think of death only when they are dying, that’s a bit late” - Rinpoche

This quote on change highlights the topic of impermanence and how it’s inevitable in life

“Life is nothing but changes, which are little deaths” Rinpoche

This states the importance of having patience, above all things

“Cleverness is good but patience is better” - Herman Hesse

Highlighting the importance of the merit system (karma) on the fate of one post death

“People die and their fate after death will be according to their deeds. Such are the terms of this world”- The Buddha (Story of Kisa Gautami and the mustard seed)

This quote states how death is completely inevitable to all no matter status or wealth in the physical world, no one can stand against it

“At the hour of death, the king and the beggar are exactly equal in that no amount of relatives or possessions can affect or prevent death. “- Rinpoche

This quote further shows how spiritual merit is the most important factor in one’s life, not the material worldly possessions as the one with more merit will gain better in death”

“But who is richer at the time of death? If the beggar has created more merits, then although he looks materially poor he is really the rich man” - Rinpoche

The water analogy, comparing the overflow of water to merit in one’s life or death, this phrase is often chanted

“Just as water rained on high ground moves to the low land, even so does what is given here benefit the dead. Just as the rivers full of water fill the ocean full, even so does what is given here benefit the dead”

This verse underscores impermanence of all things in the world, stating that everything is a subject to change, one can gain wisdom and detach from suffering, leading to a more serene and liberated state of mind

“All enchanted things are impermanent - When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering” - Dhammapada verse 277

This verse teaches the futility of responding to hatred with more hatred, only love and compassion can truly overcome and dissolve hatred

“Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone hatred is appeased. This is a law eternal” - Dhammapada verse 5

This succinctly summarises the core principles of the Buddha, avoiding harmful actions, engaging in positive deeds and purifying the mind through practices like meditation

“Not to do any evil, to cultivate good to purify ones mind - this is the teachings of the Buddhas” - Dhammapada verse 183

The vow of a Bodhisattva

“However innumerable sentient beings are; I vow to save them”

This verse highlights the power of the mind in shaping our experiences. Negative thoughts and actions lead to suffering, just as the wheel follows the ox

“Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they’re all mind - wrought. If an impure mind a person speaks or acts, suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox” - Dhammapada Verses 1

This verse underscore the reciprocal relationship between the sangha and lay people. Lay people provide material support tot eh sangha while the sangha offers the invaluable gift of the Dharma or the teachings of the buddha, with this exchange heling both parties

“The gift of Dhamma excels all gifts” - Dhammapada verse 354

This quote conveys the relationship between monks/nuns and lay people. The sangha provides ethical guidance to Lay people on how to live life which aligns with Buddhist values, helping them to cultivate good karma

“Monks, a lay follower should not engage in five types of trade, which five? Trade in weapons, trade in living beings, trade in meat, trade in intoxicants and trade in poison” - Anguttara Nikaya 5:177

This means you must live and shine in your own enlightened knowledge and not borrowed knowledge from someone or scriptures”

“All conditioned things are perishable. Work out your own salvation with diligence - be the lamp unto your self”

This statement introduces the Four noble truths which are the cornerstones of the Buddha’s teachings

“I teach one thing and one thing only : suffering and the end of suffering”

The importance of mediation and spiritual practice in Buddhism, emphasising mindfulness and the interdependence of life

“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life”

The importance of understanding dependant origination as central to comprehending the Buddha’s teachings. To truly understand it is to understand the interconnected nature of all things. By gaining insight into the nature of reality, leading to liberation

“The Tathgata has said that one who sees dependant rising, sees the Dhamma; one who sees the Dhamma, sees dependant arising”

The sangha is what represents the Buddha’s teachings in action, through community lives and practices

“The sangha is the visible body of the Buddha” - Thich Nhat Hanh

This teaches that true peace comes form within not from external sources

“Peace comes within. Do not seek it without”

Highlights Vesak day’s importance as it commemorate the birth and death of the buddha and is a time for teachings and ethical acts

“Vesak is the most sacred day for millions of Buddhists around the world. It is time to reflect on the teachings of the Buddha and to practice compassion and kindness” - United nations Vesak day message

As this marks the day of the Buddha’s death, this reminds Buddhists or the impermanent nature of life allowing them to appreciate life and live mindfully

“Pari-nirvana Day is a time to remember the Buddha’s passing into Nirvana and to reflect on the impermanence of life” - Buddhist society

Bodh Gaya is where the Buddha attained enlightenment . This reflects the Buddha’s determination to find the truth and achieve enlightenment

“Here on this seat my body may shrivel up, my skin, my bones, my flesh may dissolve, but my body will not move from this seat until i have attained enlightenment” - The Buddha

Rituals in Buddhism help practitioners to concentrate and clear their minds of everyday stresses, bringing a heightened state of awareness and presence

“The purpose of ritual prayer is to focus the mind away from daily interactions towards enlightenment” - Lama Thubten Yeshe

Seeing a visual representation of the Buddha can have a positive affect on us as practioners, helping to clear minds of negativity and encouraging positiv thoughts

“Just seeing a portrait of the Buddha, purifies our mind and plants the seed of enlightenment" - Rinpoche

This quote from the Dhammapada emphasises that meditation is essential to gaining insight and understanding, without meditation one remains in ignorance

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance”

Here it is explained that meditation isn’t about escapism but to prepare us for life’s challenges instead

“Meditation is not an escape from life, but preparation for being able to live it” - Thich Nhat Hanh

Highlighting the transient nature of life, starting from birth and the wisdom in accepting it

“The world is afflicted by death and decay. But the wise do not grieve, having realised the nature of the world” - Dhammapada verse 170

Reflecting the Buddhist belief in the rarity and value of Human life, which provides a unique opportunity for spiritual development

“The birth of a human being is rare and precious” - Dhammapada verse 182

Highlighting the importance of self-discipline and control especially as one matures

“The wise who control body, speech and mind are indeed well controlled” - Dhammapada verse 234

This outlines the duties and responsibilities within a marriage from the wife

“In five ways should a wife minister to her husband as the west by love, by respect, by faithfulness, by industry and by attending to household duties” - The Sigalovda Sutta

This emphasises the reciprocal duties and respect within a marriage from the husband

“In five ways should a husband minister to his wife as the west: by being courteous to her, by not despising her, by being faithful to her, by handing over authority to her, by providing her with adornments”

This verse suggests that living a life of wisdom and virtue can alleviate the fear of death

“Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely” - the Dhammapada verse 128

This verse shows the cyclical nature of the samsara cycle of birth death and rebirth

“The end of birth is death; the end of death is birth” - Dhammapada verse 277