Saturday, February 28, 2009

Believe nothing


Believe nothing, O monks, merely because you have been told it or because it is traditional, or because you yourselves have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.
~ Buddha Gautama
(Compare this to the Words of Baha’u’llah about Independent Investigation of Truth)

I reached in experience the Nirvana which is unborn, unrivalled, secure from attachment, undecaying and unstained. This condition is indeed reached by me which is deep, difficult to see, difficult to understand, tranquil, excellent, beyond the reach of mere logic, subtle, and to be realized only by the wise.
~ Buddha Gautama
(Compare this to the Words of Baha’u’llah about God)

Love the whole world as a mother lovers her only child.
~ Buddha Gautama
(Compare this to the Words of Baha’u’llah about Love and Unity)

'He insulted me, he cheated me, he beat me, he robbed me' -- those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
~ Buddha Gautama
(Compare this to the Words of Baha’u’llah about Non-existence of evil)

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.
~ Buddha Gautama
(Compare this to the Words of Baha’u’llah about Being and Doing;
and keep on looking for the Baha’i Plan to realize all the divine ideals)

Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds.
~ Buddha Gautama

”An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”
~ Buddha Gautama

Follow then the shining ones, the wise, the awakened, the loving, for they know how to work and forbear.
~ Buddha Gautama

As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds.
~ Buddha Gautama

Through zeal, knowledge is gotten; through lack of zeal, knowledge is lost.
~ Buddha Gautama

Everything changes, nothing remains without change.
~ Buddha Gautama

He is not the same, nor is he another.
~ Buddha Gautama

It is wrong to think that misfortunes come from the east or from the west; they originate within one's own mind. Therefore, it is foolish to guard against misfortunes from the external world and leave the inner mind uncontrolled.
~ Buddha Gautama

We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.
~ Buddha Gautama

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
~ Buddha Gautama

Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts.
~ Buddha Gautama

They are not following dharma who resort to violence to achieve their purpose. But those who lead others through nonviolent means, knowing right and wrong, may be called guardians of the dharma.
~ Buddha Gautama

There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
~ Buddha Gautama

The Buddhas do but tell the way; it is for you to swelter at the task.
~ Buddha Gautama

If a man who enjoys a lesser happiness beholds a greater one, let him leave aside the lesser to gain the greater.
~ Buddha Gautama

A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another.
~ Buddha Gautama

When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.
~ Buddha Gautama

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
~ Buddha Gautama

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
~ Buddha Gautama

Never in this world can hatred be stilled by hatred; it will be stilled only by non-hatred --
this is the law of eternal.
~ Buddha Gautama

This life of separateness may be compared to a dream, a phantasm, a bubble, a shadow, a drop of dew, a flash of lightning.
~ Buddha Gautama

On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.
~ Buddha Gautama

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.
~ Buddha Gautama

Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind.
Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.
~ Buddha Gautama

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else;
you are the one who gets burned.
~ Buddha Gautama

The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.
~ Buddha Gautama

Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.
~ Buddha Gautama

It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
~ Buddha Gautama

On life's journey
Faith is nourishment,
Virtuous deeds are a shelter,
Wisdom is the light by day and
Right mindfulness is the protection by night.
If a man lives a pure life nothing can destroy him;
If he has conquered greed nothing can limit his freedom.
~ Buddha Gautama