Monthly Archives: October 2018

If you desire ease, forsake learning. If you desire learning, forsake ease. How can one at his ease acquire knowledge, and how can the earnest student enjoy ease? —Arya Nagarjuna

Illness must be diagnosed, its causes eliminated, wellbeing attained, and treatment applied. Likewise, suffering, its causes, their cessation, and the path must, in turn, be understood, eliminated, realized, and relied upon. —Maitreya

Any notion of attachment, aversion, or indifference is considered an emotional obscuration. Any notion of subject, object, and action is considered a cognitive obscuration. —Maitreya

Buddha Nature is empty of adventitious stains, which are characterized by their total separateness. It is not empty of unsurpassed qualities, which have the character of total inseparability. —Maitreya

Reproducing Dharma texts, dedicating and donating them; studying, reading, memorizing, and explaining them; reciting them aloud, contemplating, and meditating on them: these ten activities bring merit beyond measure. —Maitreya

When there is an “I”, there is a perception of other, and from the ideas of self and other come attachment and aversion. Because of getting wrapped up in these, all possible faults come into being. —Dharmakirti

Although I too am within Amideva’s grasp, passions obstruct my eyes and I cannot see Him. Nevertheless, great compassion is untiring and illumines me always. ―Shinran Shonin

There is no difference at all between personal emptiness and phenomenal emptiness. Personal emptiness is simply the fact that the personal self is just an imputation made on the basis of the aggregates [of form, sensation, perception, volition, and consciousness]; … Continue reading →

If the ultimate truth were to become the object of body, speech, or mind, it could not be accounted ultimate; it would be relative. The ultimate truth transcends all expression; it is utterly without origin and cessation; it is utterly … Continue reading →

The distinctive marks of sages are compassion, gentle speech, courage, liberality, and skill in explaining the profound intention of the Dharma. These five marks should be recognized in the Bodhisattva’s aspiration and practice, in their support, inspiring faith, tireless effort, … Continue reading →