Buddha was a sage whose teachings form the basis of Buddhism. Scholars still dispute the historical facts of his life, including when he was born and died, but the consensus places his death at around 483 BCE.
The Buddha quotes we have chosen give the essence of his teachings and philosophy.
The name Buddha – in one translation – means the ‘enlightened one.’ His teachings are often about taking a ‘Middle Way’ between sensual indulgence and severe asceticism.
The accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules are believed by Buddhists to have been summarized after his death and memorized by his followers and passed down orally. They were first committed to writing some 400 years after his death.
This might explain why there is a dispute over one of his most frequently quoted sayings as to whether the wording is accurate. He is reputed to have said:
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.
Most other religions wouldn’t exist today if people had followed this particular Buddha quote.
Here are some others:
- Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
- Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
- 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.
- There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
- He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes.
- The tongue like a sharp knife… Kills without drawing blood.
- Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
- Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
- It is better to travel well than to arrive.
- However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?
- You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
- To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.
There is no doubt that these Buddha quotes are meaningful, but are they realistic?
Are you a follower of Buddha? Do you believe his sayings are relevant in the 21st century?
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