Famous Vegetarians

There are many famous vegetarians who have practiced compassionate eating. If they can do it, why don't we? We don't have to force ourselves too much but take a little step at one time. We can always start it from  once or twice a month, just like some of the Buddhists practice on the 1st and 15th of the Chinese calender. Slowly we can proceed to once a week. Then to twice a week and slowly we increase it. Do not underestimate your little step and effort of helping those innocent and helpless creatures being killed by human. You are making a giant step instead by making changes and making differences for them. Do consider this little effort to help save animals from being killed continuously. Do it now.

Follows are the list of the famous vegetarians in the world (from Do We Have a Choice? - by Chan Kah Yein) :

Peace-loving Vegetarians:
Mahatma Gandhi, Aung Sang Suu Kyi, Rosa Parks, Jane Goodall, Princess Diana, etc.

Pure Genius Vegetarians:
Albert Einstein, Pythagoras, Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates, Darwin, Plato, Sir Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Confucius, Nikola Tesla, Ramanujan, Leo Tolstoy, Albert Schweitzer, Rabindranath Tagore, George Bernard Shaw, Anthony Robbins, Steve Jobs, Kalpana Chawla, etc.

Sportspeople Vegetarians:
Martina Navratilova (nine time Wimbledon champion), Carl Lewis (nine time Olympic champion sprinter), Edwin Moses (Olympic champion hurdles), Billie Jean King (39 Grand Slam titles in tennis), Joe Namath (professional footballer), Stan Price (world record bench press), Bill Pearl (four time Mr. Universe), Dave Scott (six time winner Ironman Triathlon), Charlene Wong Williams (Olympic champion figure skater), Jack La Lanne (world-famous fitness instructor and swimmer), Tony Gonzales (All-Pac 10 footballer), Mac Danzig (boxer, martial artist, athlete), Salim Stoudamire (NBA basketball player), etc.

Actor Vegetarians:
Brad Pitt (above), Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom Hanks, Forest Whitaker, Jackie Chan, John Cleese, Dustin Hoffman, Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Pierce Brosnan, Richard Gere, Alec Baldwin, Robert Redford, Danny De Vito, Christian Bale, etc.

Actress Vegetarians: 
Natalie Portman (above), Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway, Liv Tyler, Ashley Judd, Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Pamela Anderson, Kim Basinger, Alicia Silverstone, Alyssa Milano, Jennifer Connely, Reese Witherspoon, Daryl Hannah, Candice Bergen, Kate Winslet, Joanna Lumley, Brigitte Bardot, etc.

Singer Vegetarians:
Avril Lavigne (above), Leona Lewis, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Sade, Tracy Chapman, Vanessa Williams, Annie Lennox, Justin Timberlake, Sir Paul McCartney and the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, etc.

The list above is not exhaustive. There are so many famous vegetarians in the world - then and now.

"If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat. That's the single most important thing you could do. It's staggering when you think about it. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot: ecology, famine, cruelty. I am a vegetarian because I realise that even little chickens suffer pain and fear and experience a range of emotions." 
- Sir Paul McCartney

The Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism

I am so fortunate to be explored to unlimited knowledge and experiences in Buddhism from multiple organizations. Today, I have attended a Dharma Talk in T-Ritana, Klang, Malaysia. The speaker was Brother Kon Chee Min who spoke about "Dimension of Buddha's Teachings". Among all the spectators that attended the talk, he gave me the printing material of "The Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism" - by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. The name Thich Nhat Hanh was so familiar. When I did a research on the name, I remembered I read about him before in a comic version. He was from the Zen Organization (A Buddhist Organization from Japan) and made himself to Vietnam. Now he is locates in Plum Graden, France.  

The Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism - 

by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh (From the book Interbeing)

1. Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means, they are not absolute truth.

2. Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice non attachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times. 

3. Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrow-mindedness. 

4. Do not avoid suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering, including personal contact, visits, images and sounds. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.

5. Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simple and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.

6. Do not maintain anger or hatred. Learn to penetrate and transform them when they are still seeds in your consciousness. As soon as they arise, turn your attention to your breath in order to see and understand the nature of your hatred.

7. Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you. Plant seeds of joy, peace, and understanding in yourself in order to facilitate the work of transformation in the depths of your consciousness. 

8. Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

9. Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Do not utter words that cause division and hatred. Do not spread news that you do not know to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn things of which you are not sure. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.

10. Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party. A religious community, however, should take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.

11. Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realise your ideal of compassion.

12. Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.

13. Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from profiting from human suffering of other species on Earth.

14. Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realisation of the Way. (For brothers and sisters who are not monks or nuns). Sexual expression should not take place without love and commitment. In sexual relations, be aware of future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.

From the  book "Interbeing" - Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism by Thich Nhat Hanh

For more info, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Nhat_Hanh 

Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh is a Buddhist monk, poet, peace activist, and the author of "Being Peace", "The Miracle of Mindfulness" and many other books. He lives in a monastic community in south-western France called Plum Village, where he teaches, writes, gardens, and works to help refugees world-wide. He conducts retreats throughout the world on the art of mindful living, and has conducted special retreats for American Vietnam War veterans, psychotherapists, artists, environmental activists and children. 

Can LOVE be shared equally for all?

Love is one of the important thing that one cannot live without. Children misbehave due to lacking of love. Partners hurt due to abuse of love. Family members suffer because of losing someone they love. Love hurts but love heals too. So, how do we define love?

It all begins from Family Love when it shares among a family members since a baby is born. Then, it extends to Friends Love when it grows and starts to mix with others whom are not its family members. Later, it grows to Couple Love when it meets someone it loves and if it continues, it goes back to Family Love as a new born has arrived. And the patterns continues..

Does Love only restrict to this pattern? 

Does Love only happens among family members, friends and couples? 

Does Love have to focus only to these groups? 

Do you know what kind of Love hurt?

Do you know why does these Love hurt?  

The kind of Love hurts most is the Love with the most attachment which is usually related to Family, Couple & Friends Love. These Love hurts because of too much attachment, focus and expectation. 

You suffer when you attach too much especially when one of these Love leaves you. 

You suffer when you focus too much by putting too much time, effort and energy just by hoping these Love will be with you forever but nothing is permanence. 

You suffer when you expect too much or high on these Love which is so important to you but when things gone wrong, you couldn't accept it and feel disappointed.

The Truth is Relationship just like any other things in this world is impermanence. In a Family Love, Couple Love or Friend Love, someone might leave due to the Natural Suffering of a human being; Born, Old, Sick, Death. Separating is part of a relationship. Someone might not be perfect to cherish and shower others with perfect love. Expectation and promises might not be able to fulfilled. And many more..

So, since Love is impermanence but it is something very important to have, why don't we share it. Share it with others which are not our family, friends, couple or relatives. Share it with strangers. Share it with those who need it. Share it with animals. Share it with sentient beings. Share it with all...

Besides, that's the purpose of life, right? To help others. Helping others doesn't focus only on cash or monetary or material but most people are hungered for love and attention. And that's the most valuable and precious thing that all sentient beings ever wanted, agree? And it is for free.

If you love too much, you will focus too much.

If you focus too much, you will expect too much.

If you expect too much, you will attach too much.

If you attach too much, you will hurt too much.

So, love should be shared equally for all without expecting anything in return unconditionally. 

Remember, to love is to be loved. To be loved is to love. Everything begins from you. The more love you give, the more love you receive. Even better, if you don't expect at all. True happiness comes when you least expect it. So, go ahead and love equally for all. 

May all be well and be loved. 

Meeting His Holiness The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje

It was such a blessing and chance of a lifetime to meet one of the most respected and holiest head monk of the world from Tibet in Malaysia His Holiness The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje on 24th May 2012 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur during the Thanksgiving Vegetarian Dinner.

Everything was just so coincidence or everything was arranged as planned. I realize about this Dharma trip to Singapore on 25th May 2012 about a week ago before the event from facebook. I didn't hope much as it is impossible for me to meet H.H the 17th Karmapa from Tibet because I am working in Malaysia. All I did was to share this good news on facebook by posting it. Of course meeting monks especially from Tibet was one of my goal since I was awakened. I was so keen to meet monks and if can have the opportunity to learn from them. I didn't even have a chance to meet any other monks in Malaysia, how can I have chance to meet one of the highest head monk of the world from Tibet, never dare to think of it. Who am I qualify to be meet them? I am just an ordinary Buddhist layperson who has just starts to learn. 

However on the 23rd May 2012, a miracle happened. I received an sms from my ex-student about a Buddhist Vegetarian Charity Dinner on 24th May 2012 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, KL. The most importantly, Karmapa will be attending. I was quite sure it was the same Karmapa that I linked on facebook as it was quite logic as he might dropped by to Malaysia on his way to Singapore on the 25th. Feeling excited but I rejected as I was still having financial problem as I couldn't afford to pay for the tickets. Besides, the tickets were sold in pair and I didn't have anyone to accompany me to go all the way to KL. So, I sent her back a message saying that I had something to attend.

Things are weird. After tiring working that afternoon, I took an afternoon nap. In my nap, I had a dream. I dreamt of my 3rd sister, Sally was talking about the same charity dinner as being invited by her friends. In the dream, I told her that my student asked me about the dinner but I rejected. Knowing her going, I felt like going too. Then, I woke up from my dream. I knew I must attend the dinner as it was so obvious that I really wanted to attend and my intention was only one, to meet HH the 17th Karmapa. So, I sent another message to my student to accept her invitation and asked her to reserve two tickets for me. Since my sister Sally was in my dream, I invited her to be my partner.

Before the event, I did some survey and research on who is the HH the 17th Karmapa and what does Karmapa means "the one who carries out buddha-activity" or "the embodiment of all the activities of the buddhas." In the Tibetan tradition, great enlightened teachers are said to be able to consciously arrange to be reborn as a teacher who can carry on the teachings of a predecessor in a prior life. Pursuant to this tradition, the Karmapas have incarnated in this form of manifestation body (Skt. nirmanakaya), for seventeen lifetimes, as of the present, and all have played the most important role in preserving and propagating the Buddhist teachings of Tibet. Prior to the birth of the first Karmapa, the arrival of a Buddhist master who would be known as the Karmapa had been prophesied by the historic Buddha Shakyamuni and the great tantric master of India, Guru Padmasambhava. Throughout the centuries, Karmapas have been the central figure in the continuation of the vajrayana lineage in general and Kagyu lineage in particular, and have played a very important role in the preservation of the study and practice lineages of Buddhism. (http://www.kagyuoffice.org/karmapa.html)

I was finally there. It took me almost 2 hours to reach Berjaya Times Square Hotel, KL from Klang due to the terrible traffic. I went there with my student and her younger brother. On our way, we shared some beautiful experiences on Buddhism since we had never met since her graduation. My sister Sally traveled separately from Damasara.

When I reached there, my focus was not other than to meet the Holiness. I observed closely and read about all the quotes written by Karmapa. I saw some monks outside before the ceremony start while waiting for the arrival of my sister. I was so keen to meet him. The feeling was like meeting a Super Star or even meeting a very important long lost master or family members. I was such a child.

He didn't show up outside the hall. I went to be seated inside the hall with my sister when she arrived. My eyes were still focused on his existence. The moment had arrived, the ceremony begun. Without hesitation, I grabbed my handphone and a camera and walked to the waiting lane for his arrival. When he walked, I continued to take as many pictures as possible. He was seated with other respected monks and VIPs from other centres. There were numerous of monks arrived on that day. Usually I was very exited with even meeting an ordinary monk but on that day, my focus was only on the Karmapa. I was so happy to be able to meet him. An opening performance of the top lion dances starts, but it didn't distract my attention to the holiness. I kept on taking pictures on the respected Karmapa. I was the only ordinary guest taking picures as I was surrounding by a group of professional photographers. And I was the only lady. I didn't  bother how and what others think as my focus was very clear, to meet him. I guess because I was the only lady, I captured his attention too, I gave him a respected nod. The feeling was like meeting a very respected Guru or Master of mine. I was in fact very nervous and excited as my hands were shaking terribly when I hold the camera. I have never been so nervous since my awakening as I have trained myself to be calm and peace at all time since I practice meditation. It was an exceptional one that day. I know meeting him was very important to me, it's a faith. 

During the dinner, there were  a lot of exciting and interesting performances held but my concentration was also on him. I even took a video of him during his speech. I felt it was really very honoured to have met him in Malaysia as not everyone has the chance to meet him. It was really a chance of a lifetime. Never know, when is my next opportunity. I saw some Buddhist offered the Karmapa something like flowers or scarfs to receive blessings from him, so I asked my student if there is anything that I can offer to him. I told her earlier that I wanted to take picture with him and asked her to help me to arrange that session as she was one of the volunteer there. She promised to help me by asking permission from the PIC. I wanted to offer him something but I didn't know what to offer. Suddenly, I thought of my self-publishing book that I kept some in my car booth, so I checked with my student if I can offer my book to him. My student said yes. So, I rushed back to my car to get the book and wrote a short message on a piece of paper to the respected HH The 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje. 

Finally I had a chance to meet him with the help of my beloved student and the organizer. I was so excited and more than thankful. I knew I need to grab every opportunity possible as it was really a chance of a lifetime. I followed the PIC to the Karmapa's seat and offered my book to him. I was so speechless and didn't know what to say. All I did was telling him that I wrote the book myself and I am a teacher. I also seek his permission to take picture with him. I was so nervous but at the same time very happy and delighted to be able to meet his holiness. That's the only 2 minutes that I shared with him but it was truly worth. May Buddha bless him with great health and longevity. I really didn't know when will be the next time we meet again, even though I was really hoping to be his student and learn from him. I guess I just have to put this goal aside and continue to do what I suppose to do in Malaysia until I have another opportunity to meet him again.

Really thanks to those who help and support me achieving my spiritual goals. May all be well and happy.  

  

ANGER is the worst tangle!

Anger is the worst tangle! 

Anger is ugly! Anger is devil! Anger is dangerous! Anger is a trap! Anger is uncontrollable!


Have you ever been in Anger before? Or have you ever seen anyone in Anger before? How does it feel especially when it involves someone you loved? Do you feel comfortable? Do you feel irritating? Do you feel secure? Do you feel scared? Do you feel angry too? 


Anger is an emotion related to one's psychological interpretation of having been offended, wronged or denied and a tendency to undo that by retaliation. (Wikipedia) 


There are many reasons lead to Anger. Some of them includes being accused, scolded, blamed, teased, bullied or many more. More people couldn't control themselves when they are in Anger. They are then lead to uncontrollable actions unconsciously. These actions can be dangerous when it includes physical actions. They might lead to hurting, hitting or even killing someone.  


Many parties think that Anger is nothing or something natural. Some even think that Anger is something good to release tension. They think it is a must to be Angry. Anger might be a method used by certain people to get what they want, for example to voice up dissatisfaction. Some children use Anger to demand for their toys. Is it really okay to be Angry? 


Nowadays, commercial supports Anger as something that we look up or something rational like the famous cartoon characters Angry Birds or even The Incredible Hulk. They are certainly unaware of the bad influence on it. 


Anger if it is not controlled will lead to disaster. There are a lot of abused cases involving family members that ended up with night mare. For example, an angry husband accidentally killed his wife during a fight. He then realized his mistake but it was too late. He ended up serving himself in a jail and his children were left alone miserably. 


Is this the kind of life that you wanted? Do you want to be the one who regret? Do you want to be blamed for your action? Is it healthy to be Angry?

From the video, we can see how a child lost his patience to his elderly dad when being asked many times.  Love your parents. Be patience. Don't get angry if he asks many times repeatedly as you too asked many times as a young child when you began to learn and your parents answered you patiently. Be patience. Feel people's shoes, feel their feeling when you lost your temper and patience to them. Feel them. 


In Buddhism, Anger is one of the three poisons – the other two are greed and ignorance – that are the primary causes of the cycle of samsara and rebirth. Purifying ourselves of anger is essential to Buddhist practice. Further, in Buddhism there is no such thing as “righteous” or “justifiable” anger. All anger is a fetter to realization. Yet even highly realized masters admit they sometimes get angry. This means that for most of us, not getting angry is not a realistic option. We will get angry.
( http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhistteachings/a/anger.htm )

One more reason that Anger should be avoided is not to be fallen into the lowest realms of The Wheel of Life which is the Hell Realm. 


The hell realm is characterised by acute aggression. We build a wall of anger between ourselves and our experience. Everything irritates us, even the most innocuous, and innocent statement drives us mad with anger. The heat of our anger is reflected back on us and sends us into a frenzy to escape from our torture, which in turn causes us to fight even harder and get even angrier. The whole thing builds on itself until we don't even know if we're fighting with someone else or ourselves. We are so busy fighting that we can't find an alternative to fighting; the possibility of alternative never even occurs to us. 
( http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/intro_bud.htm )

To overcome Anger, one needs to always mindful of his action. Beware of the rise of Anger and try to control it with inner peace and patience. A meditation will help to calm one's mind and calm down Anger.

As a conclusion, Anger provides only harmfulness and not advantages to ourselves and the people surround us. So, why not learn to ease it since it has no advantages at all. Control your Anger now slowly until you are perfected control the Anger in you. Replace it with Calmness, Peace, Patience and Compassion. All the best!

DEATH - Something that we are truly scared?

D E A T H - 

Something that we are truly scared? 

We celebrate and blessed with joy when a baby is born. We mourn and saddened when someone passes away.  The true is whenever a baby is born, it is also the beginning of a death. Human can not be escaped with the Truth Suffering which are Born ; Old ; Sick ; Death. No living beings can be escaped from this sufferings. When there's a beginning, there's always an ending. On the other hand, when there's an ending, there's also a beginning. How does this happen? 

One must know that we are born into this world with this body which we called ours. We thought the body of ours are real, are permanence, are ours. Bear in mind that the body is not real, not permanence or not ours. Confused? What is really happening? We are just shifting from one body to another body from time to time. 

Then, who are we? What are we? If we are not the body which we think is us. 

We are inside the body. We are the mind. We are the master of the body. We have been living and shifting for many years in many forms. Maybe 2000, maybe 3000, or maybe 5000 years ago in many different forms of bodies like human bodies (just like we are now), animals, insects, hungry ghosts, hell, even God or Semi-God. Only those who are awakened know when their third eyes are opened. 

Even Buddha remembered his past lives when he was still under the illusion of self. Buddha was able to recount stories of his past lives. He achieved retro-cognitive powers. Here is one of his past life stories. ( http://reluctant-messenger.com/reincarnation-buddha.htm )

"In days gone by there was a wicked king who used to extort from his subjects all he could get; and he ordered one of his officers to lay the lash on a man of eminence. The officer little thinking of the pain he inflicted upon others, obeyed; but when the victim of the king's wrath begged for mercy, he felt compassion and laid the whip lightly upon him. Now the king was reborn as Devadatta, who was abandoned by all his followers, because they were no longer willing to stand his severity and he died miserable and full of penitence. The officer is the sick bhikkhu, who having often given offence to his brethren in the vihara was left without assistance in his distress. The eminent man, however, who was unjustly beaten and begged for mercy was the Bodhisatta; he has been reborn as the Tathagata. It is now the lot of the Tathagata to help the wretched officer as he had mercy on him." 

“Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.” - Buddha

So what does the statement made by Buddha meant? 

We come into this world with nothing. We leave this world with nothing except for one thing our KARMA (good or bad deeds). For those who have live their lives wisely by practicing all the good and compassionate deeds, one must not be afraid to be reborn into a lower realms like Animal Realms, Hungry Ghost Realms, Hell Realms, but they will be reborn into a higher realms like God Realms, Semi-God Realms or even Human Realms with higher achievement and prosperity. One also have an equal chance to practice until reaching enlightenment and be free from all the six realms as each of of them has different level of suffering. 

To know more about the Six Realms : 

http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhistteachings/tp/Six-Realms-of-Existence.htm

For more details of Rebirth and Reincarnation, 

http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/03/remembering-past-lives-and-karma.html

So, why afraid, find back the purpose of lives which is to help and benefit others and continue to do more good deeds. Live wisely!

There was a Buddha who asked his student "How much time left?"
His student answered "few days".
The Buddha asked the student to think again.
The student answered "a few hours".
"Think deeply", encouraged the Buddha.
The student finally answered "a breath"

There's no much time left. Life is unpredictable. Do it now before it's too late as it's only a breath time left. 

May you all be blessed with higher attainment to benefit all beings until reaching Nirvana. 

SADHU!   SADHU! SADHU! 

The Buddha's Quotes

The Buddha's Quotes

 “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” - Buddha 

 “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”- Buddha

 “To understand everything is to forgive everything” - Buddha

   “You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself” - Buddha

·        “There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” - Buddha

“The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.” - Buddha

  “You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.” - Buddha

The understanding of the Law of Karma (Cause and Effect) constitute an important aspect of wisdom. It enables us to develop patience, tolenrance and understanding when confronted with obstacles and challenges in our daily lives. It instills in us a sense of responsibility, self reliance and confidence, providing us with a proper sense of purpose and direction in life. – Buddha

“To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others” - Buddha

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” - Buddha

“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.” - Buddha

“However many holy words you read,However many you speak,What good will they do you If you do not act on upon them?” - Buddha

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” - Buddha

“Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.” - Buddha

“Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.” - Buddha

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” - Buddha

“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.” - Buddha

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” - Buddha

" If a man speaks or acts with pure thought, joy will follow him, like the shadow that never leaves him." - Buddha

"Life is an illusion. A dream, a bubble, a shadow. Nothing is permanent. Nothing is worthy of anger. Nothing is worthy of dispute. Nothing." – Buddha

"The gift of Truth overcomes all gifts. The joy of Truth overcomes all pleasure. The taste of Truth overcomes all sweetness." - Buddha

"Even if everyone else is not doing good, I alone will. Even if everyone else is doing wrong, I alone will not." - Buddha

"In the light of his vision, he has found his freedom. His thoughts are Peace. His words are Peace. His work are Peace." - Buddha

“We already have perfect compassion, perfect wisdom, perfect joy. We only need to settle our minds so that they arise from deep within us.” – Buddha

"Focus not on the rudeness of others, not on what they've done or left undone, but on what you have and have not done yourself." - Buddha

“Our problems are not solved by physical force, by hatred, by war. Our problems are solved by loving kindness, by gentleness, by joy.” - Buddha