To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.

Happiness is not the pursuit of an endless succession of experiences but an attitude toward life.

Since all things are empty of inherent existence, anything is possible. If things had inherent existence, nothing would be possible.

The more clearly you see the arising and passing of phenomena, the less you will be attached to them.

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

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

Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.

The development of wisdom requires both study and practice, both learning and direct experience.

The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness.

If you want to understand suffering, you must look into the situation at hand. The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must be settled right there.

The development of wisdom does not occur in isolation but requires the cultivation of the entire Noble Eightfold Path.

Life is glorious, but life is also wretched. It is both. Appreciating the gloriousness inspires us, encourages us, cheers us up, gives us a bigger perspective, energizes us. We feel connected. But if that's all that's happening, we get arrogant and start to look down on others, and there is a sense of making ourselves a big deal and being really serious about it, wanting it to be like that forever. The gloriousness becomes tinged by craving and addiction. On the other hand, wretchedness--life's painful aspect--softens us up considerably. Knowing pain is a very important ingredient of being there for another person.

Mindfulness means keeping one's consciousness alive to the present reality.

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

Our basic nature is pure awareness that simply cognizes experience. Everything else is temporary and adventitious.

Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks.

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

Observe the reality as it is, not as you wish it to be.

Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance, maybe all of it.

To understand everything is to forgive everything.

The path to liberation requires both individual effort and the support of the spiritual community.

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

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.

If you want to know your past life, look into your present condition; if you want to know your future life, look into your present actions.

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

Real happiness comes from having an unshakable connection to the deep wellspring of peace and happiness that is not dependent on external conditions.

The only thing that we truly have control over is our attitude toward experience.

The only way to experience truth is to look within, to observe oneself.

If it isn't good, let it die. If it doesn't die, make it good.

The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.

Through violence, you may solve one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.

Not by hatred is hatred conquered, but by love alone. This is an eternal law.

If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will have complete peace.

Only when you can be extremely pliable and soft can you be extremely hard and strong.

In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived, how well we have loved, how well we have learned to let go.

The secret of happiness is to want what you already have.

Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.

True love is not for the faint-hearted.

Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

Each moment of clear seeing is a moment of freedom from the illusion of permanence, satisfaction, and self.

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

Not knowing how near the truth is, we seek it far away.

The difference between buddhas and sentient beings is that buddhas recognize their nature while sentient beings fail to recognize it.

The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark.

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

The Buddha's teachings are not a religion, but a science of mind.

Mindfulness is being aware of what is happening right now, without wishing it were different.

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

True peace is found not in the absence of experience but in the clear seeing of all experience.

The secret of happiness lies not in getting what we want, but in learning to want what we already have.

The key to transformation is not to fight with our experience but to open to it with awareness.

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

When concentration is developed, wisdom arises. When wisdom arises, one becomes disenchanted with the five aggregates.

The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment.

Your own treasure house contains everything you need; why search outside?

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

My religion is to live and die without regret.

When the heart is still, it can be kind. When the mind is still, it can see clearly.

Don't be afraid of the future. The future is good.