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circastes
Big Questions Small Head


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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: Chronic7]
#15471467 - 12/05/11 08:09 PM (12 years, 1 month ago) |
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^ hmmmmm!
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Edited by Chronic7 (01/18/19 03:10 AM)
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: Chronic7]
#15508913 - 12/13/11 05:18 AM (12 years, 1 month ago) |
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Ramana on the role of the Master:
He who instructs an ardent seeker to do this or that is not a true master. The seeker is already afflicted with his activities and wants peace and rest. In other words he wants cessation of activities . If the guru tells him to do something in addition to, or in place of, his other activities, can that help the seeker? Such a person cannot liberate the aspirant, he can only strenghen his fetters.
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circastes
Big Questions Small Head


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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: Chronic7]
#15509923 - 12/13/11 11:11 AM (12 years, 1 month ago) |
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I've spent the last few weeks REALLY bored, but somehow content. Just last night I had dreams of being REALLY bored and just staring at stuff around the room like I've been doing during the day. Something seems obvious to me, it's like it's on the tip of my mind's tongue, but I can't say. It's a bit like that other fellow I quoted in the other thread just now - there's like some process going on within you and eventually once you've exhausted all avenues it makes you shit bricks. You see it... You get it... everything.
I hope I'm not far off.
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
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Edited by Chronic7 (01/18/19 03:10 AM)
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deff
just love everyone



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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: Chronic7]
#15597060 - 12/31/11 01:33 PM (12 years, 30 days ago) |
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from the Vimalakirti Sutra (a mahayana sutra)
Quote:
At that time Shariputra, observing that there were no seats in Vimalakirti's room, thought to himself: "All these bodhisattvas and major disciples--where are they going to sit?"
The rich man Vimalakirti, knowing what was in his mind, said to Shariputra, "Did you come here for the sake of the Law, or are you just looking for a place to sit?"
"I came for the Law, not a seat!" said Shariputra.
"Ah, Shariputra," said Vimalkirti, "a seeker of the Law doesn't concern himself even about life and limb, much less about a seat! A seeker of the Law seeks nothing in the way of form, perception, conception, volition, or consciousness; he seeks nothing in the way of sense-realms or sense-media; he seeks nothing in the threefold world of desire, form, and formlessness.
"Ah, Shariputra, a seeker of the Law does not seek it through attachment to the Buddha, does not seek it through attachment to the Law, does not seek it through attachment to the order. A seeker of the Law does not seek it through recognition of suffering, does not seek it through renunciation of attachments, does not seek it through realization of how to end attachments, or through practice of the Way. Why? Because the Law has nothing to do with idle theorizing. To declare that one must recognize suffering, renounce attachments, realize how to reach extinction, and practice the Way is mere idle theorizing, not seeking the Law.
"Ah, Shariputra, the Law is called 'tranquil extinction'. But if one strives for birth followed by extinction, this is seeking birth and extinction, this is not seeking the Law. The Law is called 'unstained'. But if one is stained with the idea of the Law or of nirvana, then one is stained with attachment, and this is not seeking the Law. The Law has no goal of activity, but if one actively pursues the Law, one is pursuing a goal, and this is not seeking the Law. The Law knows no picking and choosing, but if one picks and chooses the Law, this is picking and choosing, not seeking the Law. The Law is independent of place, but if one fixes on the idea of place, this is fixation with place, not seeking of the Law. The Law is called 'formless'. If one tries to know it through form, this is seeking form, not seeking the Law.
"The Law is not something that can be resided in. If one tries to reside in it, this is trying to reside in the Law, not seeking the Law. The Law is not something that can be seen, heard, perceived, or understood. If one tries to see, hear, perceive, and understand it, this is trying to see, hear, perceive, and understand the Law, not seeking the Law. The Law is called 'unconditioned'. If one tries to approach it through the conditioned, this is seeking the conditioned, not seeking the Law.
"Therefore, Shariputra, if one would be a seeker of the Law, one must not seek it in anything at all."
When Vimalakirti spoke these words, five hundred heavenly sons gained the purity of the Dharma eye in their perception of phenomena.
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WScott
´ ɑ `▽ ᑲᓇᑕ


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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: deff]
#15597440 - 12/31/11 03:09 PM (12 years, 30 days ago) |
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La la la la lalalalalala law.
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White Beard


Registered: 08/13/11
Posts: 6,325
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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: deff]
#15597483 - 12/31/11 03:19 PM (12 years, 30 days ago) |
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Quote:
deff said: from the Vimalakirti Sutra (a mahayana sutra)
Quote:
At that time Shariputra, observing that there were no seats in Vimalakirti's room, thought to himself: "All these bodhisattvas and major disciples--where are they going to sit?"
The rich man Vimalakirti, knowing what was in his mind, said to Shariputra, "Did you come here for the sake of the Law, or are you just looking for a place to sit?"
"I came for the Law, not a seat!" said Shariputra.
"Ah, Shariputra," said Vimalkirti, "a seeker of the Law doesn't concern himself even about life and limb, much less about a seat! A seeker of the Law seeks nothing in the way of form, perception, conception, volition, or consciousness; he seeks nothing in the way of sense-realms or sense-media; he seeks nothing in the threefold world of desire, form, and formlessness.
"Ah, Shariputra, a seeker of the Law does not seek it through attachment to the Buddha, does not seek it through attachment to the Law, does not seek it through attachment to the order. A seeker of the Law does not seek it through recognition of suffering, does not seek it through renunciation of attachments, does not seek it through realization of how to end attachments, or through practice of the Way. Why? Because the Law has nothing to do with idle theorizing. To declare that one must recognize suffering, renounce attachments, realize how to reach extinction, and practice the Way is mere idle theorizing, not seeking the Law.
"Ah, Shariputra, the Law is called 'tranquil extinction'. But if one strives for birth followed by extinction, this is seeking birth and extinction, this is not seeking the Law. The Law is called 'unstained'. But if one is stained with the idea of the Law or of nirvana, then one is stained with attachment, and this is not seeking the Law. The Law has no goal of activity, but if one actively pursues the Law, one is pursuing a goal, and this is not seeking the Law. The Law knows no picking and choosing, but if one picks and chooses the Law, this is picking and choosing, not seeking the Law. The Law is independent of place, but if one fixes on the idea of place, this is fixation with place, not seeking of the Law. The Law is called 'formless'. If one tries to know it through form, this is seeking form, not seeking the Law.
"The Law is not something that can be resided in. If one tries to reside in it, this is trying to reside in the Law, not seeking the Law. The Law is not something that can be seen, heard, perceived, or understood. If one tries to see, hear, perceive, and understand it, this is trying to see, hear, perceive, and understand the Law, not seeking the Law. The Law is called 'unconditioned'. If one tries to approach it through the conditioned, this is seeking the conditioned, not seeking the Law.
"Therefore, Shariputra, if one would be a seeker of the Law, one must not seek it in anything at all."
When Vimalakirti spoke these words, five hundred heavenly sons gained the purity of the Dharma eye in their perception of phenomena.
Nice.
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: White Beard]
#15599815 - 01/01/12 05:04 AM (12 years, 30 days ago) |
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soldatheero
lastirishman


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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: Chronic7]
#15602170 - 01/01/12 05:13 PM (12 years, 29 days ago) |
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"..but remember, unless you become mad, you cannot attain godhood" Upasni
-------------------- ..and may the zelda theme song be with you at all times, amen.
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deff
just love everyone



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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: soldatheero]
#15606404 - 01/02/12 04:43 PM (12 years, 28 days ago) |
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another section from the Vimalakirti Sutra:
Quote:
Entering the Gate of Nondualism
At that time Vimalakirti said to the various bodhisattvas, "Sirs, how does the bodhisattva go about entering the gate of nondualism? Let each one explain as he understands it."
One of the bodhisattvas in the assembly, whose name was Dharma Freedom, spoke these words: "Sirs, birth and extinction form a dualism. But since all dharmas are not born to begin with, they must now be without extinction. By grasping and learning to accept this truth of birthlessness, one may enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Virtue Garden said, "'I' and 'mine' form a dualism. Because there is an 'I', there is also a 'mine'. But if there is no 'I', there will be no 'mine'. In this way one enters the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Unblinking said, "Perception and nonperception form a dualism. But if dharmas are not perceived, then there is nothing to take hold of. And because there is nothing to take hold of, there will be no grasping, no rejecting, no action, no volition. In this way one enters the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Virtue Peak said, "Defilement and purity form a dualism. But if one sees into the tru nature of defilement, it is without the marks of purity but leads into the extinction of all marks. In this way one enters the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Good Constellation said, "The stirring of the mind and thought--these two form a dualism. But if the mind is not stirred, then there will be no thought. And if there is no thought, there will be no discrimination. The one who has thoroughly mastered this may in this way enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Good Eye said, "The unique in form and the formless constitute a dualism. But if one understands that the unique in form is in fact the formless, and then does not seize the formless but sees all as equal, one may in this way enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Wonderful Arm said, "The bodhisattva mind and the voice-hearer mind constitute a dualism. But if one regards the mind as empty in form, like a conjured phantom, then there is no bodhisattva mind and no voice-hearer mind. In this way one may enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Pushya said, "Good and not good form a dualism. But if one does not call up either good or not good but enters into the realm of the formless and truly masters it, in this way one may enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Lion said, "Blame and blessing form a dualism. But if one penetrates the true nature of blame, it is no different from blessing. When one can dispose of forms with this diamondlike wisdom, neither bound nor liberated, one may in this way enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Lion Will said, "Presence of outflows of passion and absence of such outflows constitute a dualism. But if one can grasp the fact that all dharmas are equal, then one will not give rise to the concept of outflows or no outflows. One will not be attached to form nor dwell in formlessness either. In this way one may enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Pure Understanding said, "The created and the uncreated form a dualism. But if one does away with all enumerations, then the mind is like empty sky, freed of all obstacles through pure clean wisdom. In this way one enters the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Narayana said, "The worldly and the unworldly form a dualism. But since the nature of the worldly is empty, the worldly is in fact the unworldly. Neither entering into it nor going out of it, neither exceeding nor falling short--in this way one enters the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Good Will said, "The realm of birth and death and that of nirvana form a dualism. But if one sees the true nature of birth and death, one sees that there is no birth or death, no binding, no unbinding, no birth, no extinction. One who understands in this way may thereby enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Direct Seeing said, "The exhaustible and the inexhaustible form a dualism. But whether dharmas are in the end exhaustible or inexhaustible, they are all without the marks of exhaustibility. And if they are without the marks of exhaustibility, they are empty. And if they are empty, they are without the marks of either exhaustibility or inexhaustibility. If one enters this realm of understanding, one may thereby enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Universal Guardian said, "'I' and 'not-I' form a dualism. But when one cannot grasp even 'I', how can one grasp 'not-I'? One who has seen into the true nature of 'I' will no longer give rise to these two concepts, and in this way enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Lightning God said, "Enlightenment and ignorance form a dualism. But the true nature of ignorance is none other than enlightenment. And enlightenment cannot be seized, but is apart from all enumerations. One dwells in the centre, in the equality without dualism, and in this way enters the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Joyful Seeing said, "Form and the emptiness of form constitute a dualism. But form is none other than emptiness; emptiness does not represent the extinction of form. Form is itself empty by nature. In the same way perception, conception, volition, and consciousness, and the emptiness of consciousness, constitute dualisms. But consciousness is none other than emptiness; emptiness does not represent the extinction of consciousness. Consciousness is itself empty by nature. Dwelling in the midst of these concepts and understanding them thoroughly, one may in this way enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Enlightened as to Form said, "To regard the four elements [earth, water, fire, and wind] as different from the element emptiness or space is dualistic. The nature of the four elements is none other than the nature of emptitness. Just as the past and future of these elements is empty, so too must their present be empty. If one can understand the nature of the elements in this way, one may thereby enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Wonderful Will said, "The eye and the objects it observes constitute a dualism. But if one understands the nature of the eye, then with regard to objects one will be without greed, without anger, and without stupidity. This is called tranquil extinction. Similarly, the ear and sounds, the nose and smells, the tongue and tastes, the body and touch, and the mind and phenomena constitute dualisms. But if one understands the nature of the mind, then with regard to phenomena one will be without greed, without anger, and without stupidity. This is called tranquil extinction. Dwelling at rest in its midst, one may thereby enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will said, "Almsgiving, and applying the merits gained thereby to acquire comprehensive wisdom, constitute a dualism. But the nature of almsgiving is none other than the applying of merits to acquire comprehensive wisdom. Similarly, keeping of the precepts, forbearance, assiduousness, meditation, and isdom form dualisms in contrast to the applying of merit to acquire comprehensive wisdom, etc. But the nature of wisdom is none other than the applying of merits to acquire comprehensive wisdom. By entering into an understanding of the singleness of form that all these share, one may thus enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Deep Wisdom said, "This is emptiness, this is formlessness, this is nonaction--to speak in this manner is dualistic. Emptiness is none other than formlessness, formlessness is none other than nonaction. If something is empty, formless, nonacting, then it is without mind, will, or consciousness. This single doctrine of emancipation is the same as the threefold doctrine of emancipation [regarding emptiness, formlessness, and nonaction]. In this way one enters the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Tranquil Roots said, "To speak of the Buddha, the Law, and the assembly is dualistic. The Buddha is none other than the Law, the Law is none other than the assembly. These Three Treasures are all uncreated in form, like the empty sky, and all dharmas are the same. One who can act in accordance with this understanding may thereby enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Mind Unobstructed said, "The body and the body extinguished constitute a dualism. But the body is none other than the body extinguished. Why? Because one who sees into the true form of the body does not give rise to thoughts of seeing the body or seeing the extinction of the body. The body and the extinction of the body are not two things, not a distinction to be made. One who rests in this understanding, neither alarmed nor fearful, may in this way enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Superior Goodness said, "To speak of the activities of body, mouth, and mind is dualistic. These three activities are all marked by the aspect of nonaction. If the body is marked by nonaction, then the mouth must be marked by nonaction, and if the mouth is marked by nonaction, then the mind must be marked by nonaction. And since these three activities are marked by nonaction, then all dharmas must be marked by nonaction. One who can go along with this wisdom of nonaction may in this way enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Merit Field said, "To speak of meritorious deeds, blameful deeds, and deeds that call forth no retribution is dualistic. The true nature of all three kinds of deeds is empty. And if it is empty, then there are no meritorious deeds, no blameful deeds, and no deeds that call forth no retribution. One who does not rouse any thought of distinctions with regard to these three types of deeds may thereby enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Flower Garland said, "From the concept of 'self' rises the concept of two things, [self and other], which creates a dualism. But one who sees into the true form of the self will not give rise to the thought of two things. And if one does not dwell in the thought of two things, then one will be without consciousness and without anything one is conscious of, and in this way may enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Virtue Storehouse said, "To suppose that there is some form or object that one can acquire is dualistic. But if one realizes that there is nothing to be acquired, then there will be no grasping and no rejecting. And when there is no grasping and no rejecting, one may in this way enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Moon in Midair said, "Darkness and light form a dualism; if there is no darkness and no light, there will be no dualism. Why? It is like entering the meditation that wipes out perception and conception, where there is neither darkness nor light. And the forms of all dharmas are the same as this. If one enters this state and views all with equality, one may thereby enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Treasure Sign said, "To yearn for nirvana and not delight in the world constitutes a dualism. But if one does not yearn for nirvana and does not loathe the world, there will be no dualism. Why? If there is binding, there will be unbinding. But if there is no binding to begin with, who will seek to be unbound? And when there is no binding and unbinding, there will be no yearning and no loathing, and in this way one may enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Jewel Crowned King said, "The correct way and the erroneous way constitute a dualism. But one who dwells in the correct way does not make distinctions, saying 'This is erroneous!' or 'This is correct!'. By removing oneself from both, one may thereby enter the gate of nondualism."
The bodhisattva Delight in Truth said, "The true and the not true form a dualism. But one who sees truly cannot even see the true, so how can he see the untrue? Why? Because they cannot be seen by the physical eye; only the eye of wisdom can see them. But for this eye of wisdom there is no seeing and no not seeing. In this way one may enter the gate of nondualism."
When the various bodhisattvas had finished one by one giving their explanations, they asked Manjushri, "How then does the bodhisattva enter the gate of nondualism?"
Manjushri replied, "to my way of thinking, all dharmas are without words, without explanations, without purport, without cognition, removed from all questions and answers. In this way one may enter the gate of nondualism."
Then Manjushri said to Vimalakirti, "Each of us has given an explanation. Now, sir, it is your turn to speak. Hows does the bodhisattva enter the gate of nondualism?"
At that time Vimalakirti remained silent and did not speak a word.
Manjushri sighed and said, "Excellent, excellent! Not a word, not a syllable--this truly is to enter the gate of nondualism!"
When this chapter on Entering the Gate of Nondualism was preached, five thousand bodhisattvas in the assembly were all able to enter the gate of nondualism and to learn to accept the truth of birthlessness.
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PowerPlants
Registered: 11/28/11
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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: deff]
#15616272 - 01/04/12 05:16 PM (12 years, 26 days ago) |
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"When this chapter on Entering the Gate of Nondualism was preached, five thousand bodhisattvas in the assembly were all able to enter the gate of nondualism and to learn to accept the truth of birthlessness."
Wow.
"The Kingdom of Heaven is within You!"
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soldatheero
lastirishman


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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: PowerPlants]
#15627427 - 01/06/12 08:36 PM (12 years, 24 days ago) |
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Quote:
‘Science seems to me to teach in the highest and strongest manner the great truth which is embodied in the Christian conception of entire surrender to the will of God. Sit down before fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing.’
Thomas Henry Huxley
-------------------- ..and may the zelda theme song be with you at all times, amen.
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shivas.wisdom
בּ



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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: soldatheero]
#15627793 - 01/06/12 09:56 PM (12 years, 24 days ago) |
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I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
-Confucius
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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'I don't want to give you anything, i want to cut off your head'
- a sage
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deff
just love everyone



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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: Chronic7]
#15637701 - 01/08/12 11:47 PM (12 years, 22 days ago) |
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Quote:
The denying of reality is the asserting of it, And the asserting of emptiness is the denying of it.
thought that was pretty clever
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deff
just love everyone



Registered: 05/01/04
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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: deff]
#15648226 - 01/11/12 12:45 AM (12 years, 20 days ago) |
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quote from dilgo khyentse rinpoche
Quote:
This troublesome ego which is so concerned about itself has in reality never begun to exist, it does not exist anywhere now, and so it cannot cease to exist. Not the slightest trace of it can be found. When you recognize the void nature, therefore, any notion of there being an ego to dissolve vanishes, and at the same time the energy to bring about the good of others dawns, uncontrived and effortless.
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White Beard

Registered: 08/13/11
Posts: 6,325
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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: deff]
#15706076 - 01/23/12 08:21 AM (12 years, 7 days ago) |
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The instructed disciple of the Noble Ones does not regard material shape as self, or self as having material shape, or the self as being in material shape. Nor does he regard feeling, perception, the impulses, or consciousness in any of these ways. He comprehends each of these aggregates as it really is, that it is impermanent, suffering, not-self, compounded, woeful. He does not approach them, grasp after them or determine "Self for me" ["my self"] and this for a long time conduces to his welfare and happiness.
The instructed disciple of the Noble Ones beholds of material shape, feeling, perception, the impulses, or consciousness: "This is not mine, this am I not, this is not my self." So that when the material shape feeling, perception, the impulses, or consciousness change and become otherwise there arise not from him grief, sorrow, suffering, lamentation, and despair.
-From the Samyytta Nikaya
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Edited by Chronic7 (01/18/19 03:09 AM)
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R.I.P.McKenna
Psychonaut Scientist



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Re: Greatest Spiritual Quotes? [Re: Chronic7]
#15725450 - 01/27/12 03:11 PM (12 years, 3 days ago) |
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"you don't have a soul, you are a soul, you have a body" - C.S lewis
not sure if this is a repeat since i dint read every page but it's definitely one of my favorite quotes.
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