Daily Wisdom-Eastern Philosophy-Part lll

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-18-2008 09:46 AM

The realm of reality is as vast as cosmic space; it is the knowing mind of sentient beings that is small. Just as long as you do not become egotistic and selfish, you will be ever sated with the spiritual food of nirvana.

Pao-chih

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-18-2008 09:47 AM

It is easier to meditate than to actually do something for others. I feel that merely to meditate on compassion is to take the passive option. Our meditation should form the basis for action, for seizing the opportunity to do something.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Iris · Post by **Iris** » 06-18-2008 03:53 PM

Great thought for our day. Thanks for doing this, Shirley.

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-18-2008 03:58 PM

Your welcome Iris, every morning when I open my email there is a little nugget of wisdom, it gives me inspiration for the day.

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-19-2008 10:41 AM

The key, during both life and death, is to recognize illusions as illusions, projections as projections, and fantasies as fantasies. In this way we become free.

Lama Thubten Yeshe, Introduction to Tantra

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-20-2008 09:17 AM

The whole world we travel with our thoughts,
Finding nowhere anyone as precious as one's own self.
Since each and every person is so precious to themselves
Let the self-respecting harm no other being.

Samyutta Nikaya

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-21-2008 10:39 AM

Therefore the practice is like a key, the key of meditation. If we have the right key in our hand, no matter how tightly the lock is closed, when we take the key and turn it the lock falls open. If we have no key we can't open the lock. We will never know what is in the trunk.

Ajahn Chah, "Living Dharma"

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-22-2008 02:05 PM

There is pleasure when a sore is scratched,
But to be without sores is more pleasurable still.
Just so, there are pleasures in worldly desires,
But to be without desires is more pleasurable still.

Nagarjuna, "Precious Garland"

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-23-2008 09:48 AM

View all problems as challenges. Look upon negativities that arise as opportunities to learn and to grow. Don't run from them, condemn yourself, or bury your burden in saintly silence. You have a problem? Great. More grist for the mill. Rejoice, dive in, and investigate.

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-24-2008 09:43 AM

It is in everybody's interest to seek those [actions] that lead to happiness and avoid those which lead to suffering. And because our interests are inextricably linked, we are compelled to accept ethics as the indispensable interface between my desire to be happy and yours.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-25-2008 03:17 PM

Whatever happiness is in the world has arisen from a wish for the welfare of others; whatever misery there is has arisen from indulging selfishness.

Buddhist proverb

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-26-2008 09:56 AM

There's but little breath left
on the boundary of this life and next.
Not knowing if I'll be here next morning,
why try to trick death
with life-schemes for a permanent future?

Milarepa, "Drinking The Mountain Stream"

Dedicated to Rick aka: Captain Beyond who left this world on June 24, 2008

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-27-2008 09:36 AM

Drink deeply.
Live in serenity and joy.
The wise person delights in the truth
And follows the law of the awakened.

The farmer channels water to his land.
The fletcher whittles his arrows.
And the carpenter turns his wood.
So the wise direct their mind.

Dhammapada

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-28-2008 10:20 AM

Meditate on that which is beyond words and symbols. Forsake the demands of the self. By such forsaking you will live serenely.

Sutta Nipata

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 06-28-2008 10:26 PM

"It costs so little to teach a child to love, and so much to teach him hate."

Father Flanagan