Category: Quotes

Established Buddhist practitioners need not disconnect themselves from any guru or lineage, even if they move on to practice with those with other affilations. The Dharma we have learned in the past has helped establish our present foundation. The objective of all Buddhist practices is the same. FR

Many people think that the Amitabha practice is one Dharma method, Guru Yoga is another, and the five preliminary practices are yet another….To look upon these as fundamentally different methodologies besets the mind with contradictions and invites doubt. The fact is there are no conflicts between the various Dharma methods, only within your own thinking. … Continued

Renunciation does not mean running away from the world. True renunciation of samsara is letting go of all the ego’s attachments, agendas and delusions. FR

All the troubles of the world arise from dualistic thinking. Where there is the idea of self and other, there is attachment. And where there is attachment, there is suffering. FR

Whether or not one is a virtuous person depends not on their external actions but their internal motivation. Just changing your behavior to adhere to the model of a good or kind-hearted person will not necessarily bring about liberation. You must use wisdom to transform your negative emotions—hate, greed and ignorance. Internal transformation is the … Continued

Understanding and embodying the wisdom of emptiness is the only road to complete liberation from samsara. To realize the wisdom of emptiness requires Bodhichitta—you must consider others more important than yourself. Without perfecting Bodhichitta, there is no liberation, no Buddhahood. FR

The quest to realize the everlasting unchanging happiness of enlightenment occurs within. You prove the truth of the Dharma to yourself, internally, though your practice. This gives rise to an eternal, unshakeable faith in the Three Jewels in the person of the Guru. FR

If you read books on Buddhism but don’t practice, you’re engaged in Buddhist studies, not Buddhist practice. You’re just talking about Buddhism, hyping it. Such an approach yields negligible results—no real transformation, and certainly no liberation. FR

While we have not yet realized the enlightened nature of the mind, diligent study and practice are absolutely essential. It’s not that practice is the right path and study is the wrong path. But if you only study and don’t practice, you are definitely on the wrong path. Study and practice must move forward hand … Continued

If your mind and heart were completely free of hate, you would not have a single enemy in the universe. If you have hate in your heart, you can sit in the temple all day long listening to Dharma talks and your human relations won’t improve one bit. Instead of making strenuous efforts to change … Continued