The Heart of a Buddha is a mini-book publication by the Amitabha Buddhist Association. The Buddha’s quotes are curated by Master Chin Kung and Venerable Thanissaro Bhikkhu and the quotes are found in sutras of both Mahayana and Theravada traditions.
The following is a list of 15 quotes by the Buddha for your inspiration:
Quote #1:
Peace is not the absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for love, honesty, and trustworthiness.
Quote #2:
Rely on the teacher’s message, not the personality. Rely on the meaning, not just the words. Rely on the real meaning, not the provisional one. Rely on your wisdom mind, not your ordinary, judgmental mind.
Quote #3:
Serenity, respect, simplicity, self-control, purity of thought are virtues of the mind. Generosity, stillness, gratitude, happiness, purity of feeling are virtues of the heart.
Quote #4:
He who experiences the unity of life sees himself in all beings, and all beings in himself. He looks on everything with an impartial eye.
Quote #5:
Loving-kindness can never exist unless it flows from the mind and heart, from understanding and love.
Quote #6:
Serenity and generosity are qualities of the heart. Insight and concentration are qualities of the mind. Compassion and wisdom are qualities of the true nature.
Quote #7:
To be honourable in thoughts, sincere in words, good in deeds, is to have the heart of a Buddha.
Quote #8:
Loving-kindness as thought is tranquillity. Loving-kindness as speech is softness. Loving-kindness as an activity is altruism. Loving-kindness as practice is peace.
Quote #9:
Ignorance leads to ego, ego to selfishness, selfishness to resentment, resentment to anger, anger to hatred, hatred to annihilation.
Quote #10:
Do not become attached to the things you like, do not cherish aversion to the things you dislike. Sorrow, fear, and bondage come from one’s likes and dislikes.
Quote #11:
Always be mindful of the kindness and not the faults of others.
Quote #12:
Cultivate peace first in the garden of your heart by removing the weeds of selfishness and jealousy, greed and anger, pride and ego. Then all will benefit from your peace and harmony.
Quote #13:
Forgive and be free. Forget that you have forgiven and be freer.
Quote #14:
Maintain a state of balance between physical acts and inner serenity, like a lute whose strings are finely tuned.
Quote #15:
Those who are truly wise will remain unmoved by feelings of happiness and suffering, fame and disgrace, praise and blame, gain and loss.
