181 Buddha Quotes

If you believe that nothing is fixed or permanent in this world and that change is constant, then you will surely love Buddha. In Buddhism, practicing and developing morality, meditation, and wisdom is the only path to enlightenment. But even if you’re not a Buddhist, these Buddha quotes we compiled will also help you in your walk through life.

Buddha Quotes

1. As rain falls equally on the just and the unjust, do not burden your heart with judgments but rain your kindness equally on all. – Buddha

2. Love the whole world as a mother loves her only child. – Buddha

3. Radiate boundless love towards the entire world above, below, and across unhindered, without ill will, without enmity. – Buddha

4. If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path. – Buddha

5. To be angry is to let others’ mistakes punish yourself. – Buddha

6. Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else, you are the one who gets burned. – Buddha

7. Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous. We experience joy in the actual act of giving something. And we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given. – Buddha

8. Be vigilant, guard your mind against negative thoughts. – Buddha

9. Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it. – Buddha

10. What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind. – Buddha

11. To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. – Buddha

12. Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. – Buddha

13. To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. – Buddha

14. If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.

15. People with opinions just go around bothering each other.

16. By liberation of the self through love, we will develop love, we will practice it, we will make it both a way and a basis.

17. Meditation brings wisdom, lack of meditation leaves ignorance.

18. It is easy to see the faults of others, but difficult to see one’s own faults.

19. Three things cannot hide for long, the moon, the sun and the truth.

20. Conquer the angry one by not getting angry, conquer the wicked by goodness, conquer the stingy by generosity, and the liar by speaking the truth. – Buddha

Buddha Quotes

21. Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except yourself.

22. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.

23. Health is the greatest gift, contentment is the greatest wealth.

24. If you don’t tend to one another, who then will tend to you?

25. The foolish and the ignorant give themselves over to negligence, whereas the wise treasure mindfulness as a precious jewel.

26. Silence the angry man with love. Silence the ill-natured man with kindness. Silence the miser with generosity. Silence the liar with truth.

27. As a mountain of rock is unshaken by wind, so also, the wise are unperturbed by blame or by praise.

28. Better than a hundred years in the life of a person who is idle and inactive, is a day in the life of one who makes a zealous and strenuous effort.

29. Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love, this is the eternal rule.

30. That deed is not well done, if one has to repent for having done it, and if, with a tearful face, one has to weep as a result of that deed.

31. It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe,  that lures him to evil ways.

32. The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.

33. Be where you are, otherwise you will miss your life.

34. What you are is what you have been. What you’ll be is what you do now.

35. A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again, but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise.

36. Purity or impurity depends on oneself, no one can purify another.

37. Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.

38. What is evil? Killing is evil, lying is evil, slandering is evil, abuse is evil, gossip is evil, envy is evil, hatred is evil, to cling to false doctrine is evil, all these things are evil. And what is the root of evil? Desire is the root of evil, illusion is the root of evil.

39. To insist on a spiritual practice that served you in the past is to carry the raft on your back after you have crossed the river.

40. Stop, stop. Do not speak. The ultimate truth is not even to think.

41. The one in whom no longer exist the craving and thirst that perpetuate becoming, how could you track that awakened one, trackless, and of limitless range.

42. Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes. – Buddha

Buddha Quotes

43. When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

44. The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.

45. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

46. Radiate boundless love towards the entire world.

47. Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals.

48. Love is a gift of one’s inner most soul to another so both can be whole.

49. Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love, this is the eternal rule.

50. All that we are is the result of what we have thought, it is founded on our thoughts and made up of our thoughts. If a man speak or act with an evil thought, suffering follows him as the wheel follows the hoof of the beast that draws the wagon. If a man speak or act with a good thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.

51. Whatever a monk keeps pursuing with his thinking and pondering, that becomes the inclination of his awareness.

52. Nothing can harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded.

53. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draws it.

54. You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.

55. Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.

56. If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.

57. As rain falls equally on the just and the unjust, do not burden your heart with judgement but rain your kindness equally on all.

58. A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.

59. If we fail to look after others when they need help, who will look after us?

60. Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to others.

61. We will develop and cultivate the liberation of mind by loving kindness, make it our vehicle, make it our basis, stabilize it, exercise ourselves in it, and fully perfect it.

62. As rain falls equally on the just and the unjust, do not burden your heart with judgments but rain your kindness equally on all.

63. Kindness should become the natural way of life, not the exception.

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

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

66. If you propose to speak always ask yourself, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind.

67. Like a fine flower, beautiful to look at but without scent, fine words are fruitless in a man who does not act in accordance with them.

68. Speak only endearing speech, speech that is welcomed. Speech, when it brings no evil to others, is a pleasant thing.

69. Just as the great ocean has one taste, the taste of salt, so also this teaching and discipline has one taste, the taste of liberation.

70. Long is the night to him who is awake, long is a mile to him who is tired, long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law. – Buddha

Buddha Quotes

71. Our theories of the eternal are as valuable as are those which a chick which has not broken its way through its shell might form of the outside world.

72. Pain is certain, suffering is optional.

73. Doubt everything. Find your own light.

74. Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except your self.

75. There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed.

76. Set your heart on doing good. Do it over and over again, and you will be filled with joy.

77. Most problems, if you give them enough time and space, will eventually wear themselves out.

78. Irrigators channel waters, fletchers straighten arrows, carpenters bend wood, the wise master themselves.

79. You yourself must strive. The Buddhas only point the way.

80. Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.

81. She who knows life flows, feels no wear or tear, needs no mending or repair.

82. I am the miracle.

83. Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die, so, let us all be thankful.

84. The way is not in the sky. The way . is in the heart.

85. To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.

86. There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires.

87. Meditate do not delay, lest you later regret it.

88. Ardently do today what must be done. Who knows, tomorrow, death comes.

89. Live every act fully, as if it were your last.

90. To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life, foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.

91. One who acts on truth is happy in this world and beyond.

92. Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.

93. A man asked Gautama Buddha, I want happiness. Buddha said, first remove I, that’s ego, then remove want, that’s desire. See now you are left with only happiness.

94. To support mother and father, to cherish wife and child and to have a simple livelihood, this is the good luck.

95. One moment can change a day, one day can change a life and one life can change the world.

96. An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast, a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.

97. Should a seeker not find a companion who is better or equal, let them resolutely pursue a solitary course.

98. One is not called noble who harms living beings. By not harming living beings one is called noble.

99. Being deeply learned and skilled, being well trained and using well spoken words, this is good luck.

100. If you knew what I know about the power of giving you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way. – Buddha

Buddha Quotes

101. Learn this from water, loud splashes the brook but the oceans depth are calm.

102. I never see what has been done, I only see what remains to be done.

103. The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live.

104. The trouble is, you think you have time.

105. Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.

106. Teach this triple truth to all, a generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.

107. To abstain from lying is essentially wholesome.

108. Avoid evil deeds as a man who loves life avoids poison.

109. Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

110. If a man’s thoughts are muddy, if he is reckless and full of deceit, how can he wear the yellow robe? Whoever is master of his own nature, bright, clear and true, he may indeed wear the yellow robe.

111. For soon the body is discarded, then what does it feel? A useless log of wood, it lies on the ground, then what does it know? Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own thoughts, unguarded. But once mastered, no one can help you as much, not even your father or your mother.

112. One should strive to understand what underlies sufferings and diseases and aim for health and well-being while gaining in the path.

113. Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.

114. There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.

115. The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.

116. Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.

117. You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself.

118. The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.

119. Those who have failed to work toward the truth have missed the purpose of living.

120. In separateness lies the world’s greatest misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength.

121. If you find no one to support you on the spiritual path, walk alone. There is no companionship with the immature.

122. Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

123. It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

124. Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.

125. Wear your ego like a loose fitting garment.

126. People with opinions just go around bothering one another.

127. Speak or act with an impure mind and trouble will follow you.

128. 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.

129. To keep the body in good health is a duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.

130. If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.

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

132. A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again, but is he peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise.

133. A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker. – Buddha

Buddha Quotes

134. Remembering a wrong is like carrying a burden on the mind.

135. Nothing ever exists entirely alone. Everything is in relation to everything else.

136. Nothing is permanent.

137. A jug fills drop by drop.

138. There isn’t enough darkness in all the world to snuff out the light of one little candle.

139. Imagine that every person in the world is enlightened but you. They are all your teachers, each doing just the right things to help you.

140. On life’s journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.

141. There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.

142. It is ridiculous to think that somebody else can make you happy or unhappy.

143. Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are. It solely relies on what you think.

144. A disciplined mind brings happiness.

145. Happiness is not having a lot. Happiness is giving a lot.

146. You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.

147. Truth is the same always. Whoever ponders it will get the same answer. Buddha got it. Patanjali got it. Jesus got it. Mohammed got it. The answer is the same, but the method of working it out may vary this way or that. – Swami Satchidananda

148. I guess if I had to pick a spiritual figurehead to possess the deed to the entirety of earth, I’d go with Buddha, but only because he wouldn’t want it. – Sarah Vowell

149. The words of the Buddha offer this truth. Hatred never ceases by hatred but by love alone is healed.- Jack Kornfield

150. In Buddha’s opinion, to train in staying open and curious to train in dissolving our assumptions and beliefs is the best use of our human lives. – Pema Chödrön

151. The path of awakening begins with a step the Buddha called right understanding. – Jack Kornfield

152. Neither fire, nor wind, birth, nor death, can erase our good deeds. – Buddha

153. To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others. – Buddha

Buddha Quotes

154. Believe nothing, merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide. – Buddha

155. Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others. – Buddha

156. Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds, shine. – Buddha

157. Everything is changeable, everything appears and disappears, there is no blissful peace until one passes beyond the agony of life and death. – Buddha

158. Many do not realize that we here must die. For those who realize this, quarrels end. – Buddha

159. The world is afflicted by death and decay. But the wise do not grieve, having realized the nature of the world. – Buddha

160. Good health is simply the slowest way a human being can die. – Buddha

161. Perhaps the deepest reason why we are afraid of death is because we do not know who we are. – Buddha

162. This world is shrouded in darkness. Here, only a few can see their way free. These few birds escape from the net, and fly away to the heavens. – Buddha

163. Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world. – Buddha

164. If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. – Buddha

165. Everything changes, nothing remains without change. – Buddha

166. The universe itself is change and life itself is but what you deem it. – Buddha

167. Resolutely train yourself to attain peace. – Buddha

168. You can only make two mistakes when traveling on the road to truth: not starting, and not going all the way. – Buddha

169. Better to conquer yourself than a thousand battles. Only then can the victory truly be yours. No one can take it away from you not heaven, hell, demons or angels. – Buddha

170. Never envy others or take what you have for granted. Those who envy others will never find peace of mind. – Buddha

171. Conquer the angry one by not getting angry, conquer the wicked by goodness, conquer the stingy by generosity, and the liar by speaking the truth. – Buddha

172. Should you find a wise critic to point out your faults, follow him as you would a guide to hidden treasure. – Buddha

173. There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth not going all the way, and not starting. – Buddha

174. Be a lamp for yourselves. Be your own refuge. Seek for no other. All things must pass. Strive on diligently. Don’t give up. – Buddha

175. As an elephant in the battlefield withstands arrows shot from bows all around, even so shall I endure abuse. – Buddha

176. The calmed say that what is well spoken is best, second, that one should say what is right, not unrighteous, third, what’s pleasing, not displeasing, fourth, what is true, not false. – Buddha

177. In separateness lies the world’s greatest misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength. – Buddha

178. Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds. – Buddha

179. Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all. – Buddha

180. Better it is to live one day seeing the rise and fall of things than to live a hundred years without ever seeing the rise and fall of things. – Buddha

181. Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. – Buddha

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