The Buddha's teaching challenges us to master the art of living, to live in a way that leads to the extinction of suffering.

Wisdom and compassion must be developed equally and harmoniously.

Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be miserable, expect something in return.

When mindfulness and concentration are strong, insight into the three characteristics naturally unfolds.

The more we understand the nature of our mind, the more we understand the nature of our world.

The precious pot containing my riches becomes my teacher in the very moment it breaks.

The development of insight is gradual, but the realization of truth is sudden.

The Buddha's teaching is a middle way between all extremes, between eternalism and annihilationism, between self-indulgence and self-torture.

The Buddha's teaching is not about belief but about investigation, not about accepting but about examining.

The spiritual journey begins with the recognition that beneath our surface happiness there lies a deep inner pain.

If you want to know your past life, look at your present condition. If you want to know your future life, look at your present actions.

Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer evil with good. Conquer stinginess with giving. Conquer deceit with truth.

It is never too late to turn on the light.

The biggest prison is the one we build in our own mind.

The snow lion stays in the mountains, and the snow lion's ways are the snow lion's ways.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

Our true nature is like a diamond - pure, brilliant, and indestructible. No matter how much dirt covers it, its essential nature remains unchanged.

The silence between the notes is as important as the notes themselves.

The Buddha's teaching is a teaching of self-reliance, of being one's own master, one's own refuge.

Neither from itself nor from another, nor from both, nor without a cause, does anything whatever, anywhere arise.

The Dhamma unfolds in accordance with a definite sequence: faith, virtue, learning, generosity, wisdom, and insight.

Every being has the potential of becoming a Buddha. Our true nature is Buddha nature.

Silence is sometimes the best answer.

The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem.

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

When you find your place where you are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point.

The path to enlightenment is not a path at all. It is a realization that where you are is where you have always been.

Love is the wish that others be happy, and compassion is the wish that they be free from suffering.

Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

The essence of the spiritual journey is the uncovering of what is always already present.

The root of all suffering is ignorance. The antidote to ignorance is wisdom that realizes emptiness.

The more you understand yourself, the more you understand the world.

The way we look at the world is the way the world looks.

The true mark of a spiritual practitioner is that your own behavior is better, not that you can criticize others well.

When you love someone, you have to have trust and confidence. Love without trust is not yet love.

The greatest obstacle to connecting with our joy is resentment.

Just as true humor is laughter at oneself, true humanity is knowledge of oneself.

The spiritual journey is not about heaven and finally getting to a place that's really swell.

Change is possible because there is nothing inherently permanent about our disturbing emotions.

Expectations are the thieves of joy.

Start from where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

In the spring, hundreds of flowers; in autumn, a harvest moon; in the summer, a refreshing breeze; in winter, snow will accompany you. If useless things do not hang in your mind, any season is a good season for you.

The treasure house within you contains everything, and you are free to use it. You don't need to seek outside.

Wisdom is not something we have to strive to acquire. Rather, wisdom arises naturally as we open our hearts to the truth of what is.

The path is not about moving from one place to another. It's about recognizing where we already are.

Altruism is not a luxury, it is a necessity for the survival of humanity.

The true path is not difficult; just avoid picking and choosing.

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.

Every small positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future.

Happiness is not about getting what you want, but wanting what you've got.

Silence is so much more productive of wisdom and clarity than thinking.

The practice of mindfulness is the practice of being alive in the present moment.

The essence of meditation is not something complicated or exotic. It is simply taking a break from our habitual patterns.

The movement of love is what creates the beauty in our lives.

The water in the ocean can be rough or calm. It can be clear or murky. But the water itself doesn't mind.

The more you understand impermanence, the more you appreciate every moment.

You are the master of your own mind. You can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

Each of you is perfect the way you are... and you can use a little improvement.