Buddhist Practices Quotes

Question 1

Quote about the importance of meditation

Answer 1

‘Even the gods envy those awakened and mindful ones who are intent on meditation’ - The Dhammapada, verse 181

Question 2

Quotes about Samatha meditation

Answer 2

‘Do not encumber your mind with useless thoughts… remain in the simplicity of the present moment’ - Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

‘Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness’ - Thich Nhat Hanh

Question 3

Quote about the skilfulness of keeping a shrine intact

Answer 3

‘The time and effort required to keep the shrine clean and replenished with flowers and other offerings is considered a skilful activity to focus one’s mind in the spiritual practices’ - Lama Choedak Rinpoche

Question 4

Quote about walking meditation

Answer 4

‘Your objective is to attain total alertness, heightened sensitivity and a full, unblocked experience of the motion of walking’ - Henepola Gunarantana

Question 5

Quote about the Buddha’s passing into parinirvana

Answer 5

‘No, friend Ananda. The Blessed One has not passed away. He has entered the state of the cessation of perception and feeling’ - Mahaparinirvana sutra

Question 6

Quote about the Buddha’s enlightenment & parinirvana

Answer 6

‘The Buddha’s perfection is complete; there is no more work to be done… in him there is no craving’ - Dhammapada verses 179-80

Question 7

Quote about the importance of skilful actions and good merits

Answer 7

‘If the beggar has created more merits, then although he looks materially poor, he is really the rich man.’ - Thubten Zopa Rinpoche

Question 8

Quote showing that the consequences of one’s actions are inevitable

Answer 8

‘Not in the sky, not in the middle of the sea, not entering an opening in the mountains is there that place on earth where standing one might be freed from evil action’ - The Dhammapada, verse 127

Question 9

Quote about the importance of karuna/compassion

Answer 9

‘the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion’ - Dalai Lama

Question 10

Quotes showing the importance of metta/loving-kindness

Answer 10

‘Just as compassion is the wish that all sentient beings be free of suffering, loving-kindness is the wish that all may enjoy happiness’ - Dalai Lama

‘… one should cultivate an unbounded mind towards all beings, and loving-kindness towards all the world’ - Sutta Nipata, verses 149-50

Question 11

Quote about those who do not follow the 5 Moral Precepts

Answer 11

‘…that person digs up his own root here in this very world’ - Dhammapada, verses 246-7