Buddha's Words

Truth perhaps expressed as Buddha's words for example may appear simply obvious on surface. Or, we may see it merely boring or not comprehensive. As we read the words as shown below, a question we may ask to ourselves may be whether or not we can tie the words to our experience base - not just conceptually but in a heart-felt manner. Often, we may learn the concept but cannot apply it and live accordingly. Or, we can learn in our heat - resonate as in inspiration - and be able to apply without thinking about it. There is quite a difference in between the two.

If Buddha's words do not resonate in us, it may be that we may be yet missing something fundamental. What is that we sense, resonate in us and be expressed in such a situation? Do we sense what this is? In a way, they are all Koans. And, so what? May we utter the live words coming up from within? Express what the words are pointing in action? Whoever happened to open this file, I wish these words resonate the core of what we have and express it fully in our life!

- Jan., 2001

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As we read the subject related to our moral conduct for example, it seems that the words start to mean more when we understand not just in the brain but through our mind-body (bodily sensation as Vipassana emphasizes). This is the learning process that we can "practice." Right work, conduct, act, etc. should not disturb our natural breathing (i.e., connection to heart) for example. (In other words, observe the reaction when we read these words as much as we are to do this "quiet observation" in our daily life.)

Let us also realize that no matter how hard we try, the words cannot explain all of what they may be translated into our life's activity. Yet, such is the reason why we are to acquire skillful means by putting us in the condition to connect to the heart and live accordingly. It is to read (and live) with such awareness. That is what we may aspire for.

- Mar., 2001

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They do not lament over the past,
they yearn not for what is to come,
they maintain themselves in the present,
thus their complexion is serene
-- Samyutta Nikaya I, 5

((Don't get lost. Throw away that delusion.))

Wonderful it is to train the mind
so swiftly moving, seizing whatever it wants.
Good is it to have a well-trained mind,
for a well-trained mind brings happiness.
-- Dhammapada 35

((Learn that skillful means and keep practicing it.))

A man is not versed in Dhamma
because he speaks much.
He who, after hearing a little Dhamma,
realizes its truth directly
and is not heedless of it,
is truly versed in the Dhamma.
-- Dhammapada 259

((…))

There are those who do not realize
that one day we all must die.
But those who do realize this
settle their quarrels.
-- Dhammapada 6

((Have that base, the zero base mind.))

Irrigators regulate the rivers;

fletchers straighten the arrow shaft;
carpenters shape the wood;
the wise control themselves.
-- Dhammapada 80

((…by knowing the center of mind - heart - to lead our life.))

Easy to do are things
that are bad and harmful to oneself.
But exceedingly difficult to do
are things that are good and beneficial.
-- Dhammapada 163

((Find the delicate balance, middle way, the

path….carefully.))

To have much wealth
and ample gold and food,
but to enjoy one's luxuries alone --
this is a cause of one's downfall.
-- Sutta Nipata I, 6

((Be transparent. Honrai Muichibutsu: To start with, we own nothing.))

The fever of passion exists not for him
who has completed the journey,
who is sorrowless and wholly set free,
and has broken all ties.
-- Dhammapada 90
((So, the fever of passion is now oriented and its energy

dispensed for good deeds.))

Just as a mountain of rock,
is unwavering, well-settled,
so the monk whose delusion is ended,
like a mountain, is undisturbed.
-- Udana III, 4

((When our mind fluctuates like a flag in the wind, go back "there", and become transparent. Become the song of a bird, moving clouds in the sky, and sound of ripple in the stream.))

Ever grows the glory of him
who is energetic, mindful and pure in conduct,
discerning and self-controlled, righteous and heedful.
-- Dhammapada 24

((Feel this message deep in our heart. There is nirvana and bliss))

Overcome the angry by non-anger;
overcome the wicked by goodness;
overcome the miser by generosity;
overcome the liar by truth.
-- Dhammapada 223

((Overcome by not being attached but quietly observe our nature.))

Conviction is a person's highest wealth.
Dhamma, when well-practiced, brings bliss.
Truth is the highest of savors.
Living with discernment, one's life is called best.
-- Sutta Nipata I, 10

((Experience this, experience this, experience this..))

Through conviction one crosses over the flood.
Through heedfulness, the sea.
Through persistence one overcomes suffering & stress.
Through discernment a person is purified.
--Sutta Nipata I, 10

((Find that source of pure love, will of God in us to lead/drive our life.))

By effort and heedfulness,
discipline and self-mastery,
let the wise one make for himself
an island which no flood can overwhelm.
-- Dhammapada 25

((Have that secret foxhole in our mind.))

That bhikkhu who has crossed the mire,
Crushed the thorn of sensual desire,
And reached the destruction of delusion
Is not perturbed by pleasures and pains.
-- Udana III, 2

((Experience serenity, un-perturbed by earthly desire.))

O house-builder, you are seen!
You will not build this house again.
For your rafters are broken and your ridgepole shattered.
My mind has reached the Unconditioned;
I have attained the destruction of craving.
-- Dhammapada 154

((Not attached, not fixed, but be flexible to see and let go of our fixed, obsessed mind. We experience this house of desire broken down and find the peace and happiness beyond human world.))

The worse of the two is he
who, when abused, retaliates.
One who does not retaliate
wins a battle hard to win.
-- Samyutta Nikaya I, 162
((Also notice the sign of our mind moves like that. Then,

we have better chance of trimming the root before it grows

too big to handle.))

Through the sky blow many different winds, from east and west, from north and south

dust-laden and dustless, cold as well as hot, fierce galse and gentle breezes--many winds blow. In the same way, in this body, sensations arise, pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral.

When a bhikkhu, practising ardently, does not neglect his faculty of thorough understanding, then such a wise person fully comprehends all sensations.
And having fully comprehended them, within this very life he becomes freed from all
impurities. At his life's end, such a person, being established in Dhamma and understanding sensations perfectly, attains the indescribable stage.

--Pathama Akasa Sutta, Samyutta Nikaya, XXXVI (II). ii. 12 (2).

((Know who we are, how we function, how we experience

suffering, know the cessation of suffering, live according to the way.))

The wise ones, ever meditative and steadfastly persevering,
alone experience Nibbana, the incomparable freedom from bondage.
-- Dhammapada 23

((Be one with truth, universe, love…Directly experience

this.))

The past should not be followed after
and the future not desired;
what is past is dead and gone
and the future is yet to come.
-- Majjhima Nikaya III, 131

((Here, Now))

With all his attachments cut,
with the heart's pining subdued,
calm and serene and happy is he,
for he has attained peace of mind.
-- Samyutta Nikaya I, 212

((Be reminded of this state and live that as the base.))

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
-- Sutta Nipata 720

((Find the principle way - not disturbed by the noise around

us.))

Freedom from lust is happiness in the world,
the going beyond all sensual desires.
But the crushing out of the conceit "I am"-
this is the highest happiness.
-- Udana 10

((Let go, let go, let go…))

Having killed anger you sleep in ease.
Having killed anger you do not grieve.
The noble ones praise the slaying of anger
-- with its honeyed crest & poison rroot --
for having killed it you do not grieve.
-- Samyutta Nikaya II, 70

((Perhaps, the most important battle is found in our mind.))

With desire the world is tied down.
With the subduing of desire it's freed.
With the abandoning of desire
all bonds are cut through.
-- Samyutta Nikaya II, 69

((Learn the skillful means to practice this. Training to learn correspond to practicing, which in turn means awakening.))

Winning gives birth to hostility.
Losing, one lies down in pain.
The calmed lie down with ease,
having set winning & losing aside.
-- Samyutta Nikaya III, 14

((No attachment.))

He who does not strike nor makes
others strike, who robs not nor makes
others rob, sharing love with all that live,
finds enmity with none.
-- Itivuttaka 22

((Live from deep in our heart.))

One should first establish oneself
in what is proper and only then
try to instruct others. Doing this,
the wise one will not be criticized.
-- Dhammapada 158

((Know thyself.))

Just as a tree, though cut down,
sprouts up again if its roots remain uncut and firm,
even so, until the craving that lies dormant is rooted out,
suffering springs up again and again.
-- Dhammapada 338

((Knowing and experiencing this, we can still move on. "… while it is as it is, flowers fall away and grass grow up wildly in front of our eyes" - Dogen)

Hate brings great misfortune,
hate churns up and harms the mind;
this fearful danger deep within
most people do not understand.
-- Itivuttaka 84

((Notice such negative emotion at the first moment of its rising and let go before the law of multiplication takes over. The skill to do this, however, needs to be cultivated.))

The friend who is a helpmate,
the friend in happiness and woe,
the friend who gives good counsel,
the friend who sympathises too --
these four as friends the wise behold
and cherish them devotedly
as does a mother her own child.
-- Digha Nikaya 31

((Find the true self, and express it in friendship, etc. And, vice versa.))

Was there a mountain all made of gold,
doubled that would not be enough
to satisfy a single man:
know this and live accordingly.

-- Samyutta Nikaya I, 117

((Where do we find satisfaction? Find awakening inside!))

Above, across or back again,
wherever he goes in the world
let him carefully scrutinize
the rise and fall of compounded things.
-- Itivuttaka 120

((Not to have fixed center. Ride with the flow. Let the mind flow freely without abiding anywhere.))

All tremble at punishment.
Life is dear to all.
Put yourself in the place of others;
kill none nor have another killed.
-- Dhammapada 130

((Perceive the holistic nature of things. Relate to various viewpoints. Connect, and find compassion and wisdom.))

Even when obstacles crowd in,
the path to Nibbana can be won
by those who establish mindfulness
and bring to perfection equipoise.
-- Samyutta Nikaya I, 48

((Be at the awakened state where we sense connection to all, and live from within.))

If one, longing for sensual pleasure,
achieves it, yes, he's enraptured at heart.
The mortal gets what he wants.
But if for that person -- longing, desiring --
the pleasures diminish,
he's shattered, as if shot with an arrow.
-- Sutta Nipata IV, 1

((Be where we are, live fully as it is meant.))

With his wealth collected justly,
won through his own efforts,
he shares both food and drink
with beings who are in need.
-- Itivuttaka 66

((Act upon the needs. Perceive the needs by listening to heart))

One is not low because of birth
nor does birth make one holy.
Deeds alone make one low,
deeds alone make one holy.
-- Sutta Nipata 136

((Deeds=here and now, No such things as words and titles. Be pragmatic.))

The worse of the two is he
who, when abused, retaliates.
One who does not retaliate
wins a battle hard to win.
-- Samyutta Nikaya I, 162

((Retaliate, or generate such feeling means lost self.))

Generosity, kind words,
doing a good turn for others,
and treating all people alike:
these bonds of sympathy are to the world
what the lynch-pin is to the chariot wheel.
-- Anguttara Nikaya II, 32

((kind words, and genuine acts are the expression from the core of universe, X))

Knowing that the other person is angry,
one who remains mindful and calm
acts for his own best interest
and for the other's interest, too.
-- Samyutta Nikaya I, 162

((-----Quietly observe…))

Train yourself in doing good
that lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of boundless love.
-- Ittivuttuka 16

((Be grounded, be centered.. and express love by letting things follow the Way))

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* Obviously, these are only a selection of Buddha's Words. I picked these out of others simply because something touched me more strongly for whatever the reason. To learn more, please refer to books and other resources. Good journey!