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Archive for Quotes

Just Sitting by Barry Magrid

Posted by Pam Johnson 
· February 23, 2012 

“Just sitting means just that. That ‘just’ endlessly goes against the grain of our need to fix, transform, and improve ourselves. The paradox of our practice is that the most effective way of transformation is to leave ourselves alone. The more we let evrything be just what it is, the more we relax into an open, attentive awareness of one moment after another.”
Quote from the book “Leave Yourself Alone by Barry Magrid.
This quote is shared by Doreen Domb.
More discussion can be found at Tricyle through this link.
Categories : Books, Quotes

Buddhist Virtues by Atiśa Dipankara Shrijnana (980–1054 CE)

Posted by Pam Johnson 
· February 20, 2012 

The greatest achievement is selflessness.

The greatest worth is self-mastery.

The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.

The greatest precept is continual awareness.

The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.

The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.

The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.

The greatest generosity is non-attachment.

The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.

The greatest patience is humility.

The greatest effort is not concerned with results.

The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.

The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

(This quote has been shared with us by one of the lay sangha from the Portland Buddhist Priory.)

Categories : Quotes

The Tea Ceremony by Thich Nhat Hanh

Posted by Pam Johnson 
· February 20, 2012 

You must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea.

Only in the awareness of the present, can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup.

Only in the present, can you savor the aroma, taste the sweetness, appreciate the delicacy.

If you are ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future, you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea.

You will look down at the cup, and the tea will be gone.

Life is like that.

If you are not fully present, you will look around and it will be gone.

You will have missed the feel, the aroma, the delicacy and beauty of life.

It will seem to be speeding past you. The past is finished.

Learn from it and let it go.

The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it.

Worrying is worthless.

When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the present moment.

Then you will begin to experience joy in life.

The source:
http://itsnotwhatyouthink.co.uk/post/643431904/the-tea-ceremony-by-thich-nhat-hanh
Incidentally, the “PF” stands for “PRO FELICITE” – from Latin language, meaning “for successful.” It is widely used in Europe.
I wish everyone a peaceful and happy year 2012.
*** Milan
Categories : Quotes

“It is not enough…”

Posted by Pam Johnson 
· December 7, 2011 

Rev. Master Daishin Morgan; Journal of the OBC, Spring 1988, pg. 24

“It is not enough to hear and practice the teaching; we must, at the same time, know that our true nature and the Buddha are one. We must be willing to become Buddha with all the implications for our personal life that this implies. We already have the heart of a Buddha; we must commit ourselves utterly to living from that heart.”

Categories : Quotes
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