Just as the bee takes the nectar and leaves without damaging the color or scent of the flowers, so should the sage act in a village.
I have the True Dharma Eye, the Marvelous Mind of Nirvana, the True Form of the Formless, and the Subtle Dharma Gate, independent of words and transmitted beyond doctrine. This I have entrusted to Mahakashyapa.
Do not speak harshly to any one; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful: blows for blows will touch thee.
Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed.
Of all footprints, that of the elephant is supreme. Similarly, of all mindfulness meditations, that on death is supreme.
He whose longing has been aroused for the indescribable, whose mind has been quickened by it, and whose thought is not attached to sensuality is truly called one who is bound upstream.
Inflowing thoughts come to an end in those who are ever alert of mind, training themselves night and day, and ever intent on nirvana.
A kind man who makes good use of wealth is rightly said to possess a great treasure; but the miser who hoards up his riches will have no profit.
Joyful is the accumulation of good work.
Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue, in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy.
A fool acquires knowledge only to his own disadvantage. It destroys what good he has, and turns his brains.
Suffering does not befall him who is without attachment to names and forms.
The good renounce everything. The pure don’t babble about sensual desires. Whether touched by pleasure or pain, the wise show no change of temper.
Cut down the forest, not just a tree. Out of the forest of desire springs danger. By cutting down both the forest of desire and the brushwood of longing, be rid of the forest, bhikkhus.
Like a beautiful flower that is colorful but has no fragrance, even well spoken words bear no fruit in one who does not put them into practice.
But when one masters this wretched desire, which is so hard to overcome, then one’s sorrows just drop off, like a drop of water off a lotus.
The person who masters himself through self-control and discipline is truly undefeatable.
Don’t blindly believe what I say. Don’t believe me because others convince you of my words. Don’t believe anything you see, read, or hear from others, whether of authority, religious teachers or texts.
Don’t rely on logic alone, nor speculation. Don’t infer or be deceived by appearances.
Do not give up your authority and follow blindly the will of others. This way will lead to only delusion.