Thought for Tue, 18 May 2010

Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love.
This is an unalterable law. - Buddha

Thought for Mon, 17 May 2010

It is not for us to search but to remain still, to achieve Immobility not
Action. - Fingers Pointing Toward the Moon by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sun, 16 May 2010

Whosoever has heard the law of virtue and vice is as one who has eyes and
carries a lamp, seeing everything and will become completely wise. - Buddha

Thought for Sat, 15 May 2010

Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much
as your own unguarded thoughts.

Develop the mind of equilibrium.
You will always be getting praise and blame,
but do not let either affect the poise of the mind:
follow the calmness, the absence of pride.
- Sutta Nipata

Thought for Fri, 14 May 2010

Clarity can exist only when there is freedom to observe,
when one is capable of looking, observing, watching.
That is only possible when there is complete, total freedom,
otherwise there is always distortion in our observation. - J. Krishnamurti

Thought for Thu, 13 May 2010

There is none dwelling in the house but God.
When a man is awakened he melts and perishes. - Jalaluddin Rumi

Thought for Wed, 12 May 2010

As long as there is a 'you' doing or not-doing,
thinking or not-thinking,
'meditating' or 'not-meditating'
you are no closer to home
than the day you were born. "The Tenth Man" by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Tue, 11 May 2010

Impulses of intelligence constantly create the body in new forms every
second. - Deepak Chopra

Thought for Mon, 10 May 2010

Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech,
and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
- Buddha

Thought for Sun, 09 May 2010

I have only one object in writing books:
to demonstrate that there could not be anyone to do it.
"The Tenth Man" by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sat, 08 May 2010

Ask yourself this; 'Are you a human being having a spiritual experience, or a
spiritual being having a human experience? - Wayne Dyer, PhD

Thought for Fri, 07 May 2010

By means of meditation we can teach our minds to be calm and balanced; within
this calmness is a richness and a potential, an inner knowledge which can
render our lives boundlessly satisfying and meaningful. While the mind may be
what traps us in unhealthy patterns of stress and imbalance, it is also the
mind which can free us. Through meditation, we can tap the healing qualities of
mind. - Tarthang Tulku

Thought for Thu, 06 May 2010

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

Thought for Wed, 05 May 2010

On the phenomenal plane we seek pleasure and the avoidance of pain. On the
noumenal plane we know the absence of both - which is Bliss.
- Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Tue, 04 May 2010

Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.
- Sutta Nipata

Thought for Mon, 03 May 2010

It is the customary fate of new truths to begin as heresies and to end
as superstitions. - T.H. Huxley

Thought for Sun, 02 May 2010

These teachings are like a raft, to be abandoned once
you have crossed the flood.

Since you should abandon even good states of mind generated by these teachings,
How much more so should you abandon bad states of mind!

Conquer the angry man by love.
Conquer the ill-natured man by goodness.
Conquer the miser with generosity.
Conquer the liar with truth.
-The Dhammapada

Thought for Sat, 01 May 2010

Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.
- Sutta Nipata

Thought for Fri, 30 Apr 2010

Just as the highest and the lowest notes are equally inaudible, so perhaps,
is the greatest sense and the greatest nonsense equally unintelligible.
Alan Watts

Thought for Thu, 29 Apr 2010

It is our earth, not yours or mine or his.
We are meant to live on it, helping each other,
not destroying each other. - J. Krishnamurti

Thought for Wed, 28 Apr 2010

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

Thought for Tue, 27 Apr 2010

Your constant utilization of thought to give continuity to
your separate self is 'you'. There is nothing there
inside you other than that. - U.G. Krishnamurti

Thought for Mon, 26 Apr 2010

If only I could throw away the urge to trace my patterns in your heart,
I could really see you. - David Brandon (Zen in the Art of Helping)

Thought for Sun, 25 Apr 2010

Spontaneity is being present in the present.

Spontaneity by-passes the processes of the conceptual (aspect of) mind.

Re-integration with Nature, which we are, is the recovery of spontaneity.

- Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sat, 24 Apr 2010

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves
must walk the path. - Buddha

Thought for Fri, 23 Apr 2010

In Buddhism, there is a teaching called the "three bodies" (sanjin),
also called the "three properties" or the "three enlightened properties".
These are the three kinds of form that a Buddha may manifest as:

1) the Dharma Body (dharmakaya or hosshin) is the form in which a
Buddha transcends physical being and is identical with the undifferentiated
unity of being or Suchness (Skt. tathata, Jp. shinnyo);

2) the Bliss or Reward Body (sambhogakaya or hojin) is obtained as the
"reward" for having completed the bodhisattva practice of aiding other
beings to end their suffering and having penetrated the depth of the
Buddha's wisdom. Unlike the Dharma Body, which is immaterial, the Bliss Body
is conceived of as an actual body, although one that is still transcendent
and imperceptible to common people;

3) the Manifested Body (nirmanakaya or ojin) is the physical form in which
the Buddha appears in this world in order to guide sentient beings.
It is considered that the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, is nirmanakaya.
Honen believed that Amida is sambhogakaya.

Thought for Thu, 22 Apr 2010

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

Thought for Wed, 21 Apr 2010

It is our earth, not yours or mine or his.
We are meant to live on it, helping each other,
not destroying each other. - J. Krishnamurti

Thought for Tue, 20 Apr 2010

I have only one object in writing books:
to demonstrate that there could not be anyone to do it.
"The Tenth Man" by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Mon, 19 Apr 2010

While the Tathagata, in his teaching, constantly makes use of conceptions
and ideas about them, disciples should keep in mind the unreality of all
such conceptions and ideas. They should recall that the Tathagata, in
making use of them in explaining the Dharma always uses them in the
semblance of a raft that is of use only to cross a river. As the raft is
of no further use after the river is crossed, it should be discarded. So
these arbitrary conceptions of things and about things should be wholly
given up as one attains enlightenment. -Buddha

Thought for Sun, 18 Apr 2010

When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of scripture
are not enough.

When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much.

- Fen Yang

Thought for Sat, 17 Apr 2010

All wrong-doing arises because of mind.
If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain? - Buddha

Thought for Fri, 16 Apr 2010

In this world the wise one holds onto confidence and wisdom.
Those are the greatest treasures; all other riches are pushed aside. - Buddha

Thought for Thu, 15 Apr 2010

In Buddhism, there is a teaching called the "three bodies" (sanjin),
also called the "three properties" or the "three enlightened properties".
These are the three kinds of form that a Buddha may manifest as:

1) the Dharma Body (dharmakaya or hosshin) is the form in which a
Buddha transcends physical being and is identical with the undifferentiated
unity of being or Suchness (Skt. tathata, Jp. shinnyo);

2) the Bliss or Reward Body (sambhogakaya or hojin) is obtained as the
"reward" for having completed the bodhisattva practice of aiding other
beings to end their suffering and having penetrated the depth of the
Buddha's wisdom. Unlike the Dharma Body, which is immaterial, the Bliss Body
is conceived of as an actual body, although one that is still transcendent
and imperceptible to common people;

3) the Manifested Body (nirmanakaya or ojin) is the physical form in which
the Buddha appears in this world in order to guide sentient beings.
It is considered that the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, is nirmanakaya.
Honen believed that Amida is sambhogakaya.

Thought for Wed, 14 Apr 2010

A myriad bubbles were floating on the surface of a stream.
'What are you?' I cried to them as they drifted by.
'I am a bubble, of course' nearly a myriad bubbles answered,
and there was surprise and indignation in their voices as they passed.
But, here and there, a lonely bubble answered,
'We are this stream', and there was neither surprise nor indignation in their
voices,
but just a quiet certitude. - Ask the Awakened by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Tue, 13 Apr 2010

The true meaning of the precepts is not just that one should refrain from
drinking alcohol, but also from getting drunk on nirvana. - Bassui

Thought for Mon, 12 Apr 2010

One day Ananda, who had been thinking deeply about things for a while,
turned to the Buddha and exclaimed: "Lord, I've been thinking- spiritual
friendship is at least half of the spiritual life!"
The Buddha replied: "Say not so, Ananda, say not so. Spiritual friendship is
the whole of the spiritual life!"
- Samyutta Nikaya, Verse 2

Thought for Sun, 11 Apr 2010

There are moments when one feels free from one's own identification with human
limitations and inadequacies. At such moments one imagines that one stands on
some spot of a small planet, gazing in amazement at the cold yet profoundly
moving beauty of the eternal, the unfathomable; life and death flow into one,
and there is neither evolution nor destiny; only Being. - Albert Einstein

Thought for Sat, 10 Apr 2010

You are now in control of your life. You see, the ego is never in control. The
ego is controlled by wishes for comfort and convenience on the part of the
body, by demands of the mind, and by outbursts of the emotions. But the higher
nature controls the body and the mind and the emotions. I can say to my body,
"Lie down there on that cement floor and go to sleep," and it obeys. I can say
to my mind, "Shut out everything else and concentrate on this job before you,"
and it's obedient. I can say to my emotions, "Be still, even in the face of
this terrible situation," and they are still. It's a different way of living.
The philosopher Thoreau wrote: If a man does not keep pace with his companions,
perhaps he hears a different drummer. And now you are following a different
drummer--the higher nature instead of the lower. - Peace Pilgrim

Thought for Fri, 09 Apr 2010

All the evil in the world, and all the unhappiness, comes from the I-concept.
- Ask the Awakened by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Thu, 08 Apr 2010

If you don't like what you're doing, you can always pick up your needle
and move to another groove! - Timothy Leary

Thought for Wed, 07 Apr 2010

The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.
- Atisha

Thought for Tue, 06 Apr 2010

It is only with total humility, and in absolute stillness of mind
that we can know what indeed we are. "The Tenth Man" by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Mon, 05 Apr 2010

Reality is all-encompassing: the absolute nature is one. Although we may feel
separate from the original uncreated reality - whether we call it 'God,' 'peak
experience,' or 'enlightened mind' - through awareness we can contact this
essential part of ourselves. - Tarthang Tulku

Thought for Sun, 04 Apr 2010

Shan-tao's definition of the "Right Practices. (shogyo) is as follows:

1) to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly read and recite the Meditation Sutra,
the Amida Sutra, and the Sutra of Immeasurable Life;

2) to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly contemplate the splendid view of
Amida and the landscape in that Land;

3) to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly prostrate oneself before Amida Buddha;

4) to single-mindedly and wholeheartedly utter the name of Amida Buddha; and

5) when giving praises and offerings is in order, to single-mindedly and
wholeheartedly praise and make offerings to Amida.

Thought for Sat, 03 Apr 2010

Reality alone exists - and that we are. All the rest is only a dream, a dream
of the One Mind, which is our mind without the 'our'. Is it so hard to accept?
Is it so difficult to assimilate and to live?
- Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Fri, 02 Apr 2010

We are such stuff as dreams are made on. - Shakespeare

Thought for Thu, 01 Apr 2010

The only real service we can render to that which we perceive and interpret in
phenomenal existence as 'others' is by awakening to universal consciousness
ourselves.
- Ask the Awakened by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Wed, 31 Mar 2010

While the Tathagata, in his teaching, constantly makes use of conceptions
and ideas about them, disciples should keep in mind the unreality of all
such conceptions and ideas. They should recall that the Tathagata, in
making use of them in explaining the Dharma always uses them in the
semblance of a raft that is of use only to cross a river. As the raft is
of no further use after the river is crossed, it should be discarded. So
these arbitrary conceptions of things and about things should be wholly
given up as one attains enlightenment. -Buddha

Thought for Tue, 30 Mar 2010

It is less what one is that should matter, than what one is not.
- Fingers Pointing Toward the Moon by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Mon, 29 Mar 2010

When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of scripture
are not enough.

When you have realized understanding, even one word is too much.

- Fen Yang

Thought for Sun, 28 Mar 2010

To keep the body in good health is a duty...
otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. - Buddha

Thought for Sat, 27 Mar 2010

Without health life is not life; it is only a state of languor and suffering
- an image of death. - Buddha

Thought for Fri, 26 Mar 2010

The practice of meditation is represented by the three monkeys,
who cover their eyes, ears and mouths so as to avoid the phenomenal world.

The practice of non-meditation is ceasing to be the see-er, hearer or speaker
while eyes, ears and mouths are fulfilling their function in daily life.
Open Secret by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Thu, 25 Mar 2010

Honen Shonin taught people that it was enough to simply recite Nembutsu. He
firmly believed that true Buddhism should be able to be practiced easily
anywhere and at any time.

Thought for Wed, 24 Mar 2010

One by one, little by little, moment by moment, a wise man should remove
his own impurities, as a simth removes his dross from silver. - Buddha

Thought for Tue, 23 Mar 2010

Let us live gladly! Quite certainly we are free to do it. Perhaps it is our
only freedom, but ours it is, and it is only phenomenally a freedom. 'Living
free' is being 'as one is'. Can we not do it now? Indeed can we not-do-it? It
is not even a 'doing': it is beyond doing and not-doing. It is being as-we-are.

This is the only 'practice'.
'All Else is Bondage; Non-Volitional Living' - Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Mon, 22 Mar 2010

The third step of the Eightfold Path is Right Speech, meaning to abstain from
all lying, falsehoods, evil, abusive, and frivolous speech.

Thought for Sun, 21 Mar 2010

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. - Buddha

Thought for Sat, 20 Mar 2010

Reality alone exists - and that we are. All the rest is only a dream, a dream
of the One Mind, which is our mind without the 'our'. Is it so hard to accept?
Is it so difficult to assimilate and to live?
- Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Fri, 19 Mar 2010

In order to be effective truth must penetrate like an arrow -
and that is likely to hurt. 'Posthumous Pieces' by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Thu, 18 Mar 2010

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

Thought for Wed, 17 Mar 2010

When you reach the highest form of samadhi, you realize there
are hundreds more beyond that. - Patanjali, 400 B.C.

Thought for Tue, 16 Mar 2010

In order to see birds its is necessary to become a part of the silence.
- Robert Lynd

Thought for Mon, 15 Mar 2010

He, who by good deeds covers the evil he has done, illuminates this world like
the moon freed from clouds. - Buddha

Thought for Sun, 14 Mar 2010

Has no materialist ever suggested that Zen is the "reductio ad absurdum" of
Buddhism? If not, why not? - Wei Wu Wei "Fingers Pointing Toward the Moon"

Thought for Sat, 13 Mar 2010

Man is in appearance a derivative of the world,
but intrinsically the origin of the world. - Jalaluddin Rumi

Thought for Fri, 12 Mar 2010

Destroy 'the ego', hound it, beat it, snub it,
tell it where it gets off?

Great fun, no doubt, but where is it?
Must you not find it first?

Isn't there a word about catching your goose
before you can cook it?

The great difficulty here is that there isn't one.

- 'Posthumous Pieces' by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Thu, 11 Mar 2010

Has no materialist ever suggested that Zen is the "reductio ad absurdum" of
Buddhism? If not, why not? - Wei Wu Wei "Fingers Pointing Toward the Moon"

Thought for Wed, 10 Mar 2010

To keep the body in good health is a duty...
otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. - Buddha

Thought for Tue, 09 Mar 2010

Whoever thinks as, from, or on behalf of,
an entity which he believes himself to be,
the more so if he tries to work on himself,
by, with, or for such an entity -
which is only a concept in mind
- has not yet begun to understand what
it is all about. - 'Posthumous Pieces' by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Mon, 08 Mar 2010

To gain that worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.
- Bernadette Devlin

Thought for Sun, 07 Mar 2010

Past and Future are a duality of which Present is the reality. The now-moment
alone is eternal and real. - Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sat, 06 Mar 2010

It is fairly obvious that most of us are confused
intellectually. We see that the so-called leaders
in all departments of life have no complete answer
to our various questions and problems. - J. Krishnamurti

Thought for Fri, 05 Mar 2010

By defilement of mind, beings are defiled;
by purification of mind, beings are purified.

Thought for Thu, 04 Mar 2010

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

Thought for Wed, 03 Mar 2010

Destroy 'the ego', hound it, beat it, snub it,
tell it where it gets off?

Great fun, no doubt, but where is it?
Must you not find it first?

Isn't there a word about catching your goose
before you can cook it?

The great difficulty here is that there isn't one.

- 'Posthumous Pieces' by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Tue, 02 Mar 2010

War can only be understood and put an end to if you and all those who are
concerned very deeply with the survival of man, feel that you are utterly
responsible for killing others. What will make you change? - J. Krishnamurti

Thought for Mon, 01 Mar 2010

There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it. - Buddha

Thought for Sun, 28 Feb 2010

Reality is all-encompassing: the absolute nature is one. Although we may feel
separate from the original uncreated reality - whether we call it 'God,' 'peak
experience,' or 'enlightened mind' - through awareness we can contact this
essential part of ourselves. - Tarthang Tulku

Thought for Sat, 27 Feb 2010

To gain that worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.
- Bernadette Devlin

Thought for Fri, 26 Feb 2010

Who ranks as the highest?
One who does not harm anything.
One who never retaliates.
One who is always at peace regardless
of the other person's disposition.
- Buddha

Thought for Thu, 25 Feb 2010

In the Seizan Pure Land denomination founded by Honen's disciple Shoku,
it is believed that there are two types of Birth:
1) the spiritual Birth accomplished in this life when one feels
secure that when one dies one will pass forever into the Pure
Land (jojakkodo), and
2) the actual passage into the Pure Land immediately upon one's
death (raisejodo).

Thought for Wed, 24 Feb 2010

In this life, you will achieve benefit from any Buddhist practices you choose.
Jodo Shu practice can bring rebirth in the Pure Land and enlightenment, and is
easy for anyone to follow.

Thought for Tue, 23 Feb 2010

Past and Future are a duality of which Present is the reality. The now-moment
alone is eternal and real. - Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Mon, 22 Feb 2010

The practice of meditation is represented by the three monkeys,
who cover their eyes, ears and mouths so as to avoid the phenomenal world.

The practice of non-meditation is ceasing to be the see-er, hearer or speaker
while eyes, ears and mouths are fulfilling their function in daily life.
Open Secret by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sun, 21 Feb 2010

The Profound Mind (jinshin) is simply the heart that deeply believes,
which entails profound thought and introspection as well as the
unquestioning trust that Amida will indeed save one through actual birth.

Thought for Sat, 20 Feb 2010

It is less what one is that should matter, than what one is not.
- Fingers Pointing Toward the Moon by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Fri, 19 Feb 2010

These teachings are like a raft, to be abandoned once
you have crossed the flood.

Since you should abandon even good states of mind generated by these teachings,
How much more so should you abandon bad states of mind!

Conquer the angry man by love.
Conquer the ill-natured man by goodness.
Conquer the miser with generosity.
Conquer the liar with truth.
-The Dhammapada

Thought for Thu, 18 Feb 2010

While the Tathagata, in his teaching, constantly makes use of
conceptions and ideas about them, disciples should keep in mind the unreality
of all such conceptions and ideas. They should recall that the Tathagata, in
making use of them in explaining the Dharma always uses them in the semblance
of a raft that is of use only to cross a river. As the raft is of no further
use after the river is crossed, it should be discarded. So these arbitrary
conceptions of things and about things should be wholly given up as one attains
enlightenment. -Buddha

Thought for Wed, 17 Feb 2010

Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely
out of respect for the teacher. - Buddha

Thought for Tue, 16 Feb 2010

One by one, little by little, moment by moment, a wise man should remove
his own impurities, as a simth removes his dross from silver. - Buddha

Thought for Mon, 15 Feb 2010

The human being may be no more real than is a cinematograph film. When the
projected light is switched off all that remains is a blank screen. That
which has been projected by light was a series of 'stills'. Such also is what
is being projected by 'life'. The more you consider the analogy the more perfect
it seems to be: it could help us to understand. - Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sun, 14 Feb 2010

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past,
worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present
moment wisely and earnestly. - Buddha

Thought for Sat, 13 Feb 2010

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

Thought for Fri, 12 Feb 2010

The vow of all embracing compassion by Amida Buddha is expressed especially
clearly in his Eighteenth Original Vow (juhachi-gan):
"When I attain Buddhahood, if all sentient beings in the ten
directions, who aspire in all sincerity and faith to be born
in my land and think of me even ten times, are not born there,
then may I not attain supreme enlightenment."

Thought for Thu, 11 Feb 2010

This is the way of peace: "Overcome evil with good,
falsehood with truth, and hatred with love." - Peace Pilgrim

Thought for Wed, 10 Feb 2010

Kuyo is the practice by which Dharmakara perfects his "humble and dynamic
role as student". The humbler he became, the more Buddhas he discovers. The
more Buddhas he discovered, the humbler he became, eventually losing all
attachment to his own ideas and opinions.

Thought for Tue, 09 Feb 2010

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past,
worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present
moment wisely and earnestly. - Buddha

Thought for Mon, 08 Feb 2010

Realization is a matter of becoming conscious of that which is already
realized. - Ask the Awakened by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sun, 07 Feb 2010

A man should first direct himself in the way he should go.
Only then should he instruct others. - Buddha

Thought for Sat, 06 Feb 2010

Humility, metaphysically, implies the absence of any entity to be either
'proud' or 'humble'. "The Tenth Man" by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Fri, 05 Feb 2010

All such notions as causation, succession, atoms, primary elements...are
all figments of the imagination and manifestations of the mind. -Buddha

Thought for Thu, 04 Feb 2010

Until a radical change takes place and we
wipe out all nationalities, all ideologies,
all religious divisions, and establish a global relationship -
psychologically first, inwardly before organizing the outer -
we shall go on with wars. - J. Krishnamurti

Thought for Wed, 03 Feb 2010

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world. - Buddha

Thought for Tue, 02 Feb 2010

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past,
worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present
moment wisely and earnestly. - Buddha

Thought for Mon, 01 Feb 2010

Play your part in the comedy, but don't identify yourself with your role!
- Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sun, 31 Jan 2010

Who ranks as the highest?
One who does not harm anything.
One who never retaliates.
One who is always at peace regardless
of the other person's disposition.
- Buddha

Thought for Sat, 30 Jan 2010

The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups.
A good principle was never found solitary in any breast. - Buddha

Thought for Fri, 29 Jan 2010

Live your life in happiness,
even though those around you
lead lives which are unhealthy,
and wish to spread their illness to you.
Be Happiness itself. - Buddha

Thought for Thu, 28 Jan 2010

While the Tathagata, in his teaching, constantly makes use of
conceptions and ideas about them, disciples should keep in mind the unreality
of all such conceptions and ideas. They should recall that the Tathagata, in
making use of them in explaining the Dharma always uses them in the semblance
of a raft that is of use only to cross a river. As the raft is of no further
use after the river is crossed, it should be discarded. So these arbitrary
conceptions of things and about things should be wholly given up as one attains
enlightenment. -Buddha

Thought for Wed, 27 Jan 2010

A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old
dimensions. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Thought for Tue, 26 Jan 2010

Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals. - Buddha

Thought for Mon, 25 Jan 2010

The Five Precepts are:
1. Abstain from taking life,
2. Abstain from taking that which is not given,
3. Abstain from misconduct done in lust,
4. Abstain from lying,
5. Abstain from all forms of intoxication.

Thought for Sun, 24 Jan 2010

The practice of meditation is represented by the three monkeys,
who cover their eyes, ears and mouths so as to avoid the phenomenal world.

The practice of non-meditation is ceasing to be the see-er, hearer or speaker
while eyes, ears and mouths are fulfilling their function in daily life.
Open Secret by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sat, 23 Jan 2010

Just as the dawn is the forerunner, the vanguard of the rising sun, so too,
possession of virtue is the forerunner, the vanguard of the rising of
the Noble Eightfold Path. - Buddha

Thought for Fri, 22 Jan 2010

The fundamental idea of Buddhism is to pass beyond the world of
opposites, a world built up by intellectual distinctions and emotional
defilements. - D.T. Suzuki

Thought for Thu, 21 Jan 2010

Be wise, disciplined and non-violent and you will find peace.
Be aware both night and day, continue your practice,
and you will attain Nirvana. - Buddha

Thought for Wed, 20 Jan 2010

'Sudden Enlightenment' means precisely the
immediate apperception of all that in fact we are.
'Enlightenment' is 'sudden' only because it
is not in 'time' (subject to sequential duration).
It is re-integration in intemporality.
'Posthumous Pieces' by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Tue, 19 Jan 2010

Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence. - Buddha

Thought for Mon, 18 Jan 2010

A wonderful painting is the result of the feeling in your fingers. If you have
the feeling of the thickness of the ink in your brush, the painting is already
there before you paint. When you dip your brush into the ink you already know
the result of your drawing, or else you cannot paint. So before you do
something, "being" is there, the result is there. Even though you look as if
you were sitting quietly, all your activity, past and present, is included, and
the result of your sitting is also already there. - D.T. Suzuki

Thought for Sun, 17 Jan 2010

The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart. - Buddha

Thought for Sat, 16 Jan 2010

It is the customary fate of new truths to begin as heresies and to end
as superstitions. - T.H. Huxley

Thought for Fri, 15 Jan 2010

Lead a righteous life; lead not a base life. The righteous live happily
both in this world and the next. - Buddha

Thought for Thu, 14 Jan 2010

Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love.
This is an unalterable law. - Buddha

Thought for Wed, 13 Jan 2010

Man is in appearance a derivative of the world,
but intrinsically the origin of the world. - Jalaluddin Rumi

Thought for Tue, 12 Jan 2010

A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another.
If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as
a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one
another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden. - Buddha

Thought for Mon, 11 Jan 2010

Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence. - Buddha

Thought for Sun, 10 Jan 2010

In Buddhism, there is a teaching called the "three bodies" (sanjin),
also called the "three properties" or the "three enlightened properties".
These are the three kinds of form that a Buddha may manifest as:

1) the Dharma Body (dharmakaya or hosshin) is the form in which a
Buddha transcends physical being and is identical with the undifferentiated
unity of being or Suchness (Skt. tathata, Jp. shinnyo);

2) the Bliss or Reward Body (sambhogakaya or hojin) is obtained as the
"reward" for having completed the bodhisattva practice of aiding other
beings to end their suffering and having penetrated the depth of the
Buddha's wisdom. Unlike the Dharma Body, which is immaterial, the Bliss Body
is conceived of as an actual body, although one that is still transcendent
and imperceptible to common people;

3) the Manifested Body (nirmanakaya or ojin) is the physical form in which
the Buddha appears in this world in order to guide sentient beings.
It is considered that the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, is nirmanakaya.
Honen believed that Amida is sambhogakaya.

Thought for Sat, 09 Jan 2010

In this life, you will achieve benefit from any Buddhist practices you choose.
Jodo Shu practice can bring rebirth in the Pure Land and enlightenment, and is
easy for anyone to follow.

Thought for Fri, 08 Jan 2010

By becoming attached to names and forms, not realising that they have no
more basis than the activities of the mind itself, error rises and the way
to emancipation is blocked. -Buddha

Thought for Thu, 07 Jan 2010

Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely
out of respect for the teacher. - Buddha

Thought for Wed, 06 Jan 2010

Just as the highest and the lowest notes are equally inaudible, so perhaps,
is the greatest sense and the greatest nonsense equally unintelligible.
Alan Watts

Thought for Tue, 05 Jan 2010

Therefore, be ye lamps unto yourselves, be a refuge to yourselves.
Hold fast to Truth as a lamp; hold fast to the truth as a refuge.
Look not for a refuge in anyone beside yourselves. And those,
who shall be a lamp unto themselves, shall betake themselves to
no external refuge, but holding fast to the Truth as their lamp,
and holding fast to the Truth as their refuge, they shall reach the
topmost height. - Buddha

Thought for Mon, 04 Jan 2010

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.
- Buddha

Thought for Sun, 03 Jan 2010

The qualities we possess should never be a matter for satisfaction, but the
qualities we have discarded. - Fingers Pointing Toward the Moon by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Sat, 02 Jan 2010

What do you have to do?

Pack your bags,
Go to the station without them,
Catch the train,
And leave your self behind. - Open Secret by Wei Wu Wei

Thought for Fri, 01 Jan 2010

The Triptaka consists of the Sutras, the Vinaya, and the Abhidhamma.