Great Throughts Treasury

"Since there is really no duality, separation is unreal. Until duality is transcended and at-one-ment realized, enlightenment cannot be attained... All phenomena are your own ideas, self-conceived in the mind, like reflections in a mirror. To know whether or not this is true, look inside your own mind."

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

"I am present in front of anyone who has faith in me, just as the moon casts its reflection, effortlessly, in any vessel filled with water."

"Empty cognizance of one taste, suffused with knowing, is your unmistaken nature, the uncontrived original state. When not altering what is, allow it to be as it is, and the awakened state is right now spontaneously present."

"Unstained by objective clinging, unspoilt by the grasping mind, sustaining the naked and empty awareness is the wisdom mind of all the buddhas! Do not investigate phenomena: investigate the mind. If you investigate the mind, you'll know the one thing which resolves all. If you don't investigate the mind, you can know everything but be forever stuck on one."

"Adorn yourself with the eminent virtues of the Victorious Ones! "

"You may have the bravery of a strong fighter, but unless you possess the intelligent strength of discriminating knowledge, you will not turn the tide in the battle with samsara. So possess the intelligent strength of discriminating knowledge!"

"You may try to support your family and friends, but at the time of death all other actions besides the virtuous practices of Dharma activities will have been pointless. So constantly apply yourself to spiritual practices in thought, word, and deed! "

"When your appearance conforms with worldly conventions, you will encounter less criticism. "

"The Buddha said that when we dedicate merit, it is like adding a drop of water to the ocean. Just as a drop of water added to the ocean will not dry up but will exist as long as the ocean itself exists, so, too, if we dedicate the merit of any virtuous deed, it merges with the vast ocean of merit that endures until enlightenment."

"Now when the bardo of dying dawns upon me, I will abandon all grasping, yearning, and attachment, Enter undistracted into clear awareness of the teaching, And eject my consciousness into the space of unborn Rig-pa; As I leave this compound body of flesh and blood I will know it to be a transitory illusion."

"The eagle that is flying high in the sky should not forget that it should come down one day to see its shadow. "

"Your castle of earth and stone may be beautiful, but unless you dwell in the fortress of the unchanging, you must depart and leave it behind. So keep to the fortress of the unchanging!"

"You may pursue worldly fame and gain, but unless you follow the teachings of the Buddha, such activity will only be the cause for throwing you back into further samsara. So adhere to the teachings of the Buddha!"

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

"You may possess the power and might of a world ruler, but unless you gain mastery over your own mind, when the time of death arrives you still haven’t attained the power of freedom. So gain mastery over your mind! "

"When you keep company with an eminent master, his qualities will automatically influence you."