Gaudama Buddha, or simply Buddha, was a man of wisdom that lived somewhere between the 6th and the 4th century B.C. Buddhism is based on his teachings, but you don’t have to be a Buddhist to gather inspiration and help from them. He sought to find what makes a life wholesome and fulfilling and what he said may help you understand the broad lines of his philosophy. Buddha quotes still retain their value today and this is a great amalgam of their wisdom.
I’m obviously not an expert on Buddha. I gathered his most beautiful quotes and present them to you, along with some of my thoughts. What is truly valuable is that these quotes have helped me in different situations, so I’ve actually been using them as tools to make my life more happiness oriented. I truly hope that they will be equally or more useful for you and will help you keep your faith in life and humanity.
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Table of Contents
- Who was Buddha?
- Why Buddha quotes still matter today
- Short Buddha Quotes
- “..He is in truth called wise” : Buddha Wisdom Quotes
- Buddha Quotes about Peace and Anger
- “Only the moment…” : Buddha Quotes on Life
- Buddha Quotes about the Mind
- Buddha Quotes about Kindness
- Poetic Buddha Quotes
- “Well Spoken Words…” : Buddha Quotes about Happiness
- Buddha Quotes on Love
- Buddha Quotes about Healing
- Buddha Quotes about Change
- Long Inspirational Buddha Quotes
- Conclusion
Who was Buddha?
Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual leader and the founder of Buddhism. Born in ancient India around the 6th century BCE, Buddha embarked on a profound spiritual quest to understand the nature of human suffering and the path to liberation. After years of intense meditation and self-discipline, he attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree, becoming the Buddha, which means “the awakened one.”
Buddha’s teachings revolved around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. His teachings have had a profound and enduring impact on countless individuals, shaping the foundations of Buddhism and inspiring seekers of wisdom and inner peace throughout history.
Why Buddha quotes still matter today
Buddha quotes continue to hold immense significance and relevance in the modern world, serving as timeless reminders of profound wisdom and guiding principles for personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. Despite being thousands of years old, the teachings of Buddha have a universal appeal that transcends time, culture, and religious boundaries.
The Power of Mindfulness
One reason why Buddha quotes still matter today is their emphasis on inner peace and mindfulness. In our fast-paced and chaotic world, where stress and anxiety have become commonplace, the Buddha’s teachings offer a soothing balm for the soul. His quotes encourage individuals to cultivate mindfulness, live in the present moment, and detach themselves from the worries and desires that often plague their minds. The emphasis on mindfulness allows people to find solace in the midst of turmoil and discover a deeper sense of peace within themselves.
Antidotes to Materialism
Buddha quotes provide profound insights into the nature of suffering and the pursuit of happiness. The Buddha recognized the inherent dissatisfaction and impermanence of human existence and taught that true happiness can only be found by transcending worldly attachments and desires. His teachings on non-attachment and letting go of material cravings offer valuable lessons in an era of consumerism and materialism. By reflecting on Buddha quotes, individuals are reminded to seek contentment through inner transformation rather than external possessions, leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Ethical Guidance
Buddha quotes offer profound ethical guidance that can inform and inspire individuals to live virtuous and compassionate lives. The teachings of Buddha emphasize kindness, empathy, and non-harm towards all beings, providing a moral compass in an interconnected world. The principles of right speech, right action, and right livelihood, as taught by Buddha, are still pertinent in promoting harmonious relationships, social justice, and environmental sustainability, making his quotes relevant and impactful in contemporary society.
Short Buddha Quotes
Discover the essence of Buddha’s wisdom in these concise and powerful quotes that offer profound insights into life and personal growth.
There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path. Gautama Buddha
Doubt everything. Find your own light. Gautama Buddha
Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. Gautama Buddha
Rule your mind or it will rule you. Gautama Buddha
Attachment leads to suffering. Gautama Buddha
Be greatly aware of the present. Gautama Buddha
If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another. Gautama Buddha
You only lose what you cling to. Gautama Buddha
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. Gautama Buddha
A disciplined mind brings happiness. Gautama Buddha
Three things can not hide for long: the Moon, the Sun and the Truth. Gautama Buddha
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows. Gautama Buddha
If you find no one to support you on the spiritual path, walk alone. Gautama Buddha
All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill. Gautama Buddha
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. Gautama Buddha.
“..He is in truth called wise” : Buddha Wisdom Quotes
Dive into the vast ocean of Buddha’s wisdom through these quotes that illuminate the path to enlightenment and self-realization.
A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise. Gautama Buddha
Nothing is forever except change. Gautama Buddha
If we fail to look after others when they need help, who will look after us? Gautama Buddha
Even as a solid rock is unshaken by the wind, so are the wise unshaken by praise or blame. Gautama Buddha
If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path. Gautama Buddha
Imagine that every person in the world is enlightened but you. They are all your teachers, each doing just the right things to help you learn perfect patience, perfect wisdom, perfect compassion. Gautama Buddha
Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom. Gautama Buddha
Do not give your attention to what others do or fail to do; give it to what you do or fail to do. Gautama 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. Gautama Buddha
Irrigators channel waters; fletchers straighten arrows; carpenters bend wood; the wise master themselves. Gautama Buddha
Know from the rivers in clefts and in crevices: those in small channels flow noisily, the great flow silent. Whatever’s not full makes noise. Whatever is full is quiet. Gautama Buddha
Your actions are your only belongings. Gautama Buddha
Buddha Quotes about Peace and Anger
Explore the transformative teachings of Buddha on finding inner peace and overcoming anger, offering valuable guidance for a harmonious and balanced life.
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. Gautama Buddha
Conquer the angry one by not getting angry; conquer the wicked by goodness; conquer the stingy by generosity, and the liar by speaking the truth. Gautama Buddha
It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. Gautama Buddha
Friendship is the only cure for hatred, the only guarantee of peace. Gautama Buddha
There are no chains like hate…dwelling on your brother’s faults multiplies your own. You are far from the end of your journey. Gautama Buddha
Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace. Gautama Buddha
He who can curb his wrath as soon as it arises, as a timely antidote will check snake’s venom that so quickly spreads – such a monk gives up the here and the beyond, just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin. Gautama Buddha
Conquer anger through gentleness, unkindness through kindness, greed through generosity, and falsehood by truth. Gautama Buddha
Resolutely train yourself to attain peace. Gautama Buddha
“Only the moment…” : Buddha Quotes on Life
Gain inspiration from the timeless wisdom of Buddha as he shares profound reflections on the nature of existence and the impermanence of life.
The less you have, the less you have to worry about. Gautama Buddha
You must make the effort yourself. The Masters only point the way. Gautama Buddha
All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts and made up of our thoughts. If a man speak or act with an evil thought, suffering follows him as the wheel follows the hoof of the beast that draws the wagon… If a man speak or act with a good thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him. Gautama Buddha
Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it. Gautama Buddha
An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. Gautama Buddha
Set your heart on doing good. Do it over and over again, and you will be filled with joy. Gautama Buddha
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life. Gautama Buddha
To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance. Gautama 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. Gautama Buddha
Should you find a wise critic to point out your faults, follow him as you would a guide to hidden treasure. Gautama Buddha
Those who have failed to work toward the truth have missed the purpose of living. Gautama Buddha
The greatest prayer is patience. Gautama Buddha
In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. Gautama Buddha
Most problems, if you give them enough time and space, will eventually wear themselves out. Gautama Buddha
Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind. The goal is to find it. Gautama Buddha
The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed. Gautama Buddha
To support mother and father, to cherish wife and children, and to be engaged in peaceful occupation – this is the greatest blessing. Gautama Buddha
To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. Gautama Buddha
Buddha Quotes about the Mind
Delve into the depths of the mind with these insightful quotes from Buddha, shedding light on the power of thoughts, mindfulness, and the cultivation of a peaceful mind.
More than those who hate you, more than all your enemies, an undisciplined mind does greater harm. Gautama Buddha
Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Gautama Buddha
When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. Gautama Buddha
He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. Gautama Buddha
Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Gautama Buddha
Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue. Gautama Buddha
We do not need an intelligent mind that speaks, but a patient heart that listens. Gautama Buddha
Buddha Quotes about Kindness
Uncover the compassionate teachings of Buddha that emphasize the importance of kindness, empathy, and compassion towards all beings.
As rain falls equally on the just and the unjust, do not burden your heart with judgements but rain your kindness equally on all. Gautama Buddha
A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. Gautama Buddha
Kindness should become the natural way of life,not the exception. Gautama Buddha
Silence the angry man with love. Silence the ill-natured man with kindness. Silence the miser with generosity. Silence the liar with truth. Gautama Buddha
If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way. Gautama Buddha
Those who cling to perceptions and views wander the world offending people. Gautama Buddha
It is in the nature of things that joy arises in a person free from remorse. Gautama Buddha
The tongue like a sharp knife kills without drawing blood. Gautama 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. Gautama Buddha
Poetic Buddha Quotes
Immerse yourself in the poetic beauty of Buddha’s words as these quotes captivate the heart and awaken a sense of wonder and awe.
With our thoughts we make the world. Gautama Buddha
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change. Gautama Buddha
Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else. Gautama Buddha
Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again. Gautama Buddha
It is like a lighted torch whose flame can be distributed to ever so many other torches which people may bring along; and therewith they will cook food and dispel darkness, while the original torch itself remains burning ever the same. It is even so with the bliss of the Way. Gautama Buddha
The darkest night is ignorance. Gautama Buddha
“Well Spoken Words…” : Buddha Quotes about Happiness
Embark on a journey to discover true happiness with these enlightening quotes from Buddha, guiding us towards inner contentment and joy.
Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to others. Gautama Buddha
Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all. Gautama Buddha
A man asked Gautama Buddha, “I want happiness.”
Buddha said, “First remove “I,” that’s Ego, then remove “want,” that’s Desire.
See now you are left with only “Happiness.
Gautama Buddha
Joy comes not through possession or ownership but through a wise and loving heart. Gautama Buddha
Being deeply learned and skilled, being well trained and using well spoken words: this is good luck. Gautama Buddha
If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows them like a never-departing shadow. Gautama Buddha
Buddha Quotes on Love
Explore Buddha’s teachings on love, embracing the transformative power of unconditional love and compassion for oneself and others.
When you like a flower, you just pluck it. But when you love a flower, you water it daily. Gautama Buddha
Ambition is like love, impatient of both delays and rivals. Gautama Buddha
True love is born from understanding. Gautama Buddha
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. Gautama Buddha
The moment you see how important it is to love yourself, you will stop making others suffer. Gautama Buddha
Radiate boundless love towards the entire world. Gautama Buddha
Love the whole world as a mother loves her only child. Gautama Buddha
Buddha Quotes about Healing
Find solace and healing in these profound quotes from Buddha that offer guidance on overcoming suffering, finding inner peace, and restoring balance.
Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except your self. Gautama Buddha
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. Gautama Buddha
Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace. Gautama Buddha
In separateness lies the world’s greatest misery; in compassion lies the world’s true strength. Gautama Buddha
Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. Gautama Buddha
In separateness lies the world’s greatest misery; in compassion lies the world’s true strength. Gautama Buddha
Buddha Quotes about Change
Embrace the wisdom of Buddha as these quotes remind us of the inevitable nature of change and the importance of adaptability and acceptance.
In life we cannot avoid change, we cannot avoid loss. Freedom and happiness are found in the flexibility and ease with which we move through change. Gautama Buddha
The universe itself is change and life itself is but what you deem it. Gautama Buddha
Buddha said, “Forgive? But I am not the same man to whom you did it. The Ganges goes on flowing, it is never the same Ganges again. Every man is a river. The man you spit upon is no longer here. I look just like him, but I am not the same, much has happened in these twenty-four hours! The river has flowed so much. So I cannot forgive you because I have no grudge against you. And you also are new. I can see you are not the same man who came yesterday because that man was angry and he spit, whereas you are bowing at my feet, touching my feet. How can you be the same man? You are not the same man, so let us forget about it. Those two people, the man who spit and the man on whom he spit, both are no more. Come closer. Let us talk of something else. Gautama Buddha
One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world. Gautama 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? Gautama Buddha
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell. Gautama Buddha
Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good. Gautama Buddha
Long Inspirational Buddha Quotes
Immerse yourself in the profound teachings of Buddha through these longer quotes that inspire and empower personal growth, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening.
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. Gautama Buddha
Words do not express thoughts very well; every thing immediately becomes a little different, a little distorted, a little foolish. And yet it also pleases me and seems right that what is of value and wisdom of one man seems nonsense to another. Gautama Buddha
We live in illusion and the appearance of things. There is a reality. We are that reality. When you understand this, you see that you are nothing, and being nothing, you are everything. That is all. Gautama Buddha
Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draws it.
Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves. Gautama Buddha
What is evil? Killing is evil, lying is evil, slandering is evil, abuse is evil, gossip is evil, envy is evil, hatred is evil, to cling to false doctrine is evil; all these things are evil. And what is the root of evil? Desire is the root of evil, illusion is the root of evil. Gautama Buddha
Conclusion
Buddha quotes continue to resonate with people today because they offer timeless guidance on navigating the complexities of the human experience, fostering inner peace, and pursuing genuine happiness. By embracing these teachings and incorporating them into our daily lives, we can find solace, clarity, and purpose, even in the midst of a rapidly changing world.
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