Wonderful, indeed, it is to subdue the mind, so difficult to subdue, ever swift, and seizing whatever it desires. A tamed mind brings happiness.
Let the discerning person guard the mind, so difficult to detect and extremely subtle, seizing whatever it desires. A guarded mind brings happiness.
—Buddha Shakyamuni, Udanavarga
Much though we recite the sacred texts, but act not accordingly, we will be like foolish hoarders who only count the wealth of others. We shall not partake of the blessings of the holy life.
Little though we recite the sacred texts, if we put the Teaching into practice —forsaking attachment, aversion, and indifference, with true wisdom and emancipated mind, clinging to nothing of this or any other world— we shall partake indeed of the blessings of the holy life.
—Buddha Shakyamuni, Udanavarga
The evil-doers grieve here and hereafter;
they grieve in both the worlds.
They lament and are afflicted, recollecting their own impure deeds.
The doers of good rejoice here and hereafter;
they rejoice in both the worlds.
They rejoice and exult, recollecting their own pure deeds.
—Buddha Shakyamuni, Udanavarga
Just as a storm throws down a weak tree, so does temptation overpower those who live for pleasure, are uncontrolled in their senses, immoderate in eating, indolent, and dissipated.
Just as a storm cannot prevail against a rocky mountain, so temptation can never overpower those who contemplate impurity, are controlled in their senses, moderate in eating, and filled with certainty and earnest effort.
—Buddha Shakyamuni, Udanavarga
Just as rain breaks through an ill-thatched house,
so passion penetrates an undeveloped mind.
Just as rain does not break through a well-thatched house,
so passion never penetrates a well-developed mind.
—Buddha Shakyamuni
The royal chariots surely come to rot,
just as the body, too, comes to decay.
But the shining truth and loving kindness live on
—so say the virtuous to the virtuous.
—Buddha Shakyamuni, Dhammapada
To enjoy good health,
to bring true happiness to one’s family,
to bring peace to all,
one must first discipline and control one’s own mind.
Those who can control their minds can find the way to Enlightenment,
and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to them.
—Buddha Shakyamuni
