Water must be a hundred degrees for it to boil. If, every day, we only heat it up to eighty degrees, when will it ever boil? […]
It is the same with cultivation. If we put all our effort into it, it can bear fruit. It will never happen if we do it comfortably until we die.
—Ven. Haechun Sunim
Suppose there was a pool of clear, limpid, and unsullied water. A person with good eyesight standing there on the bank would see shells, gravel, and pebbles, and also shoals of fish swimming about and resting. Why is that? Because of the pure nature of the water.
In the same way, a person with an unsullied mind would know her own benefit, the benefit of others, the benefit of both. She would realize a superior human state, a truly noble distinction of knowledge and vision. Such a thing is possible. Why is that? Because of the pure nature of her mind.
—Buddha Shakyamuni
This is not me. This is not mine.
All is impermanent.
All is unsatisfactory.
All is empty.
It’s not worth it to be or have anything.
This is liberation.
This is the end of suffering.
—Buda Sakyamuni
Within the sky-like empty mind, habitual tendencies and disturbing emotions are just like clouds and mist.
When they appear, they appear within the expanse of empty mind. When they remain, they remain within the expanse of empty mind. And when they dissolve, they dissolve in that same expanse of empty mind.
—Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava
Don’t take outer appearances inside!
Don’t project inner conceptions outside!
Don’t enslave body to mind!
Don’t occupy mind with body!
Don’t attend to view or meditation!
Leave mind unfabricated, just where it is!
—Padampa Sangye
The sun does not wrangle with grass. Why would Amideva ever mind the doings of sentient beings? Bathed in his compassionate light, we can be ourselves and grow.
Let’s not make a fuss, worry too much, or fret about breaking rules or displeasing Amideva. Grass can never upset the sun, nor can sentient beings annoy Amideva.
Amideva is a Buddha we can never offend, as are all the Buddhas in their unconditional compassion.
—Jingzong
Always recognize the dreamlike qualities of life and reduce attachment and aversion.
Practice good-heartedness towards all beings. Be loving and compassionate, no matter what others do to you. What they do will not matter so much when you see it as a dream.
The trick is to have a positive intention during the dream. This is the essential point.
—Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
