SHRINE
BUDDHISM
DHAMMAPADA
"By oneself the evil is done, and by oneself one suffers. By oneself evil is
left undone, and by oneself one is purified. Purity
and impurity belong to oneself; no one can purify
another."
The genius of Buddhism is its emphasis on the fact that we all have the strength
and virtue within to free ourselves of
external addictions and problems. We can raise ourselves by our own
strength; govern, control and form ourselves with our own effort.
There's no strength outside of ourselves, and none
can prevail against us if we gain control over ourselves.
What a magnificient approach to life!
And here are the "four noble truths as taught by the Buddha:
1. Existence is suffering; 2. The cause of suffering
is desire; 3. There is a way out of suffering;
4. The "eight noble path," is the way
out of this world
of change, uncertainty and bondage
amidst repeated cycles of birth and death.
Buddha's point is that we're open to pain becausewe’re
subject to sensual passions and selfish
desires. These bind and hold us as prisoners to our existential, neurotic condition. We can break these
bonds, if we integrate our selfish
desires and passions, translating our interests
and affections from our sense and
emotional neediness into the calm sphere of mind and spirit. ---- Swami Brahmavidyananda
Then there's the Eightfold Path.
The way out is through: right views, right resolve,
right speech, right action, right livelihood, right
effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.
1. Right views (free from superstition or delusion).
2. Right aims (worthy of the intelligent).
3. Right speech (kindly, open, truthful).
4. Right conduct (peaceful, honest, pure).
5. Right livelihood (bringing hurt and danger to
no living thing).
6. Right effort (self-control).
7. Right mindfulness (the active watchful mind).
8. (Right contemplation (on the deep mysteries
of life).
FROM THE DHAMMAPADA
"Not even a god can change into defeat the
victory of those who have vanquished themselves."
"All that we are is the result of what we've
thought. It's founded on our thoughts; it's made
up of our thoughts. If someone speaks or acts with
an evil thought, pain follows that person as the
wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the
carriage." (Verse 1.)
"Well-makers lead the water wherever they
like; fletchers bend the arrow; carpenters shape
the log of wood; the wise fashions themselves."
(Verse 195.)
"If one man conquers in battle a thousand
times ten thousand men, and another conquers himself,
he (the last) is the greatest conqueror." (Verse
103.)
"Self is the Lord of Self; who else should
be the Lord? With Self well subdued, a man finds
a Lord, such as few can find."
"O monk, empty this boat! If emptied, it will
go quickly; having cut off passion and hatred, thou
wilt go to Nirvana." (Verse 369.)
"And this is the beginning here for a wise
monk: Watchfulness over the senses; restraint under
the law; keep noble friends whose life is pure and
who are not slothful; dwell constantly upon the
highest thoughts.
"Rouse thyself by thyself; examine thyself
by thyself; thus, self-protected and attentive,
wilt thou live happily, O monk!
"For Self is the Lord of Self. Self is the
refuge of Self: therefore curb thyself, as the merchant
curbs a good horse." (Verses 375-380.)
