Classical Articles
Theravada Tipitaka selections
Insights from the Theravada Tipitaka (Pali Canon)
For many more translations of classic Tipitaka texts click here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/
'He abused me, he struck me,
He defeated me, he robbed me' -
In those who harbour thoughts like these
Hatred will never be allayed.
For in this world hatred is never
Allayed by further acts of hate.
It is allayed by non-hatred:
That is the fixed and ageless law.
Those others do not recognise
That here we should restrain ourselves.
But those wise ones who realise this
At once end all their enmity.
Selection from Mahayana Sutras
From Various Mahayana Sutras & Writings
[The Bodhisattva Vimalakirti was asked 'What is this joy in the Dharma?' and replied:]
'Joy in having faith in the Buddha, joy in listening to the Dharma, joy in making offerings to the Sangha, and joy in forsaking the five worldly pleasures ... joy in following and upholding the truth; joy in being beneficial to living beings; ... joy of being with those studying the same Dharma and joy in the freedom from hindrance when amongst those who do not study it.'
Selections from Vajrayana Sutras & Teachings
Vajrayana Sutras & Teachings
I have realized that which is unborn;
It is what language cannot communicate;
It is free from all defilements;
It transcends causality.
I know that it is void like space,
I have gained the wisdom to see things as they really are.
I am free from all darkness;
I am the ultimately real and immaculate.
Mahavairocana Sutra, Taishou Tripitaka 18, p. 9b,
cited Hakeda, Kukai Major Works, 1972, p. 218. [Shingon Buddhism]
A mantra is supra-rational;
It eliminates ignorance when meditated upon and recited.
The Five Contemplations whilst Eating
"1. Consider the amount of work involved to bring the food to where it is eaten.
"Think it over. How much human labour was necessary to bring even a single grain of rice to the table. It first had to be planted, then tended, then harvested and stored. And so the ancients had a poem which reads:
The farmer hoes in the midday sun;
His sweat falls on the soil.
Who can guess how much toil it took
To bring the food to the bowl?
"2. Consider whether one's own virtuous conduct is sufficient to enable one to accept the offering.