The secret of Buddhism is to remove all ideas, all concepts, in order for the truth to have a chance to penetrate, to reveal itself.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Even for those of us who are less religious, Buddhism is an immense source of wisdom and knowledge that can turn our lives over, helping us achieve peace and happiness. We can find in the Buddhist teachings truths that have traveled thousands of years and changed the lives of millions of people.
Check out these buddhism quotes to get a glimpse into the wisdom of the Buddhism and to find teachings that speak directly to your soul.
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. – Gautama Buddha
One of the most important teachings of Buddhism is the need for a conscious focus on the present moment, because the present is actually all we have. The past is gone and the future is always uncertain, while the present is the only reality we can work with.
You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself. – Alan W. Watts
In Buddhist teachings, every living being is as important as the whole universe. Everything is connected and as human beings with consciousness, we are the mirror through which the universe tries to understand its own laws and wonders.
We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps. – Hermann Hesse
If we look closely, we realize that Buddhism is in complete correspondence with the laws of nature. As in nature, in Buddhism, the main laws are change and evolution. Although the spiritual progress does not happen linearly, we can be sure that once we take the path of awakening, each step counts.
What we think, we become. – Gautama Buddha
Unlike other religions, Buddhism has recognized the power of the mind to create our identities and shape our realities. We can only be what our minds are able to conceive. That is why purifying the mind through meditation is essential.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. – Gautama Buddha
Buddhism is the religion of the individual because it tells us that each living being has its own journey in life and each must walk on its own path of awakening. The salvation of the soul depends on the soul itself and can never come from outside.
The secret of Buddhism is to remove all ideas, all concepts, in order for the truth to have a chance to penetrate, to reveal itself. – Thich Nhat Hanh
Buddhism is adamant in fighting against all the illusions that we take for truth. We hide in ideas, theories, and abstract concepts and we forget that the truth is greater and more powerful than our minds can grasp. Once we empty our minds of definitions and theories, we make room for the truth.
The Way is not in the sky; the Way is in the heart. – Gautama Buddha
In Buddhism, there are no boundaries or separations. The true awakening is realizing that there isn’t a spiritual world separated from the material one, but that the two of them coexist as one. Only our hearts can unite them and find the way to the real awakening.
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. – Gautama Buddha
Buddhism emphasizes a fundamental truth that we often ignore. Love and happiness are immaterial goods that increase in value only when they are shared. They cannot exist in isolation because if everything is connected, love and happiness belong to all of us.
True change is within. Leave the outside as it is. – Dalai Lama XIV
We all love progress, but unfortunately, sometimes we focus on the wrong type of progress. We seek outside what can only exist within ourselves. We think that change must be visible and measurable on the outside, but the truth is that when change starts from within, the outside is transformed as well.
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. – Gautama Buddha
There wasn’t any religion or philosophy in the history of humanity who didn’t preach love as the ultimate solution for our salvation. Buddhism is the same, teaching us that only love can cure and protect us. Hatred can only be neutralized with love, not with more hatred.
A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise. – Gautama Buddha
A wise person is not someone whose voice is heard more often or who tries to convince others of his truth, but the person who knows how to be both tolerant and firm in his beliefs, both loving and forgiving, both kind and fearless.
Many people think excitement is happiness…. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace. – Thich Nhat Hanh
Buddhism redefines all our ideas and brings us a new type of understanding, especially when it comes to happiness. Hapiness is not joy or excitement, but rather the serene peace of love and understanding.
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows. – Gautama Buddha
Buddhism recognizes failure but not as we would think. Failure does not mean failing to meet some standards of success set by others, but rather failing to live a life true to the innermost beliefs of our hearts.
However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them? – Gautama Buddha
Buddhism warns us about one of the worst pitfalls in our quest for self-realization, which is seeking knowledge but never acting on it. However, it is no use to have the map of a road if we never actually walk the road itself.
Buddhism teaches us not to try to run away from suffering. You have to confront suffering. You have to look deeply into the nature of suffering in order to recognize its cause, the making of the suffering. – Thich Nhat Hanh
In Buddhist teachings, suffering is our wisest companion because it forces us to let go of the all the superficial things and to engage in a deep and thorough introspection, trying to understand the causes and effects of our choices and desires.
Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it. – Gautama Buddha
Buddhism reminds us through its simple and wise teachings that some of the most sought-after answers can be the simplest. Everyone is looking for the purpose of life, but the answer is quite simple. We must follow the calling of our hearts and devote ourselves entirely to our calling.
Doubt everything. Find your own light. – Gautama Buddha
If most religions tell us to have faith and never doubt, Buddhism embraces doubt as the guiding principle in our quest for truth. We must doubt everything that goes against our innermost principles and intuitions, and seek to find our own, unique path.
Buddhism is not a creed, it is a doubt. – Gilbert K. Chesterton
Buddhism is never trying to convince us that there is only one path or one truth and that disregarding those, we will face damnation. Actually, Buddhism accepts that truth can take numerous forms. Doubt is not a threat to the truth, but rather to the illusions we hold.
True love is born from understanding. – Gautama Buddha
In Buddhism, love and understanding go hand in hand. There is nothing quite as powerful as love that comes from acceptance and understanding, because it is a love build on a solid foundation and which can resist any attack.
Buddhism teaches you to embrace change. – Koo Stark
Change is essential to Buddhism because that is what life is all about. We live to grow and to become our best versions and to be able to do so, we must embrace change. Change can both hurt or liberate us, but it is the engine that keeps us moving.
An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea. – Gautama Buddha
Buddhism values ideas only if they are put into action, gaining thus the ability to actually impact the world and bring important changes. Ideas that exists only at a theoretical level are useless, while actions dictate change.
Do not try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are. – Dalai Lama XIV
Buddhism encompasses such a comprehensive and far-reaching wisdom that it is useful even to those who have no intention to actually become Buddhists. Buddhism is useful to all people who want to discover themselves and live a life true to their beliefs and dreams.
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. – Gautama Buddha
One of the wisest things we can learn in life is how to appreciate the daily miracles of existence, understanding the marvelous forces that created them. We need to be present with all the power of our minds and hearts in every moment of our lives.
Life gives you exactly what you need to awaken. – T. Scott McLeod
Buddhism is based on the idea that everything is necessary and everything carries meaning or purpose. All the lessons that we get from life are necessary steps in our journey towards awakening and nothing happens accidentally.
Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have. – Gautama Buddha
If suffering is our wisest companion, happiness can also be a great teacher in our lives. To reach happiness, we must learn to appreciate what we have and find the inner beauty of the things and people that surround us. This is a great and important lesson.
One who is patient glows with an inner radiance. – Allan Lokos
Once we focus on the health of our souls, we gain a special type of awareness that makes us empathetic, tolerant, and patient. Patience is a mandatory virtue for those who want to walk the path to awakening.
Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free. – Thich Nhat Hanh
Buddhism wants us to be happy, but to be happy, we must regain our freedom. We are free once we become powerful enough to let go of all the things that draw us back, especially negative feelings or unhealthy attachments.
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. – Gautama Buddha
Buddhism teaches us to appreciate things that we either take for granted or underestimate. We are wealthy and blessed when we are healthy and at peace. We are in a good relationship when being faithful is the most natural thing in the world.
Mindfulness is often spoken of as the heart of Buddhist meditation. It’s not about Buddhism, but about paying attention. – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness is the core of the Buddhist practices and it is so important because it emphasizes the need to pay attention to life, to engage with the present moment, and to purify our minds to welcome greater truths.
I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act. – Gautama Buddha
Buddhism is maybe the only religion or philosophy that actually understands free will. Destiny is not something forced upon us that we cannot escape, but rather a path we create once we follow the intuitions of our souls.
He who walks in the eight-fold noble path with unswerving determination is sure to reach Nirvana. – Gautama Buddha
Helping us to reach Nirvana is the ultimate goal of the Buddhist teachings. However, the teachings alone cannot help us unless we put into it a lot of determination and courage. The path is not easy and only those deserving can walk on it.
