Sidhartha Gautama Buddha was born in Nepal. He was a Prince and later became the spiritual Guru to millions of his followers. Buddha in the Sanskrit language means ‘the Awakened One’. A handful of his words of wisdom are as follows:
What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What’s the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood?
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.
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.
On life’s journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.
To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
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.
Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.
Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.
In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.
There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
Be lamps unto yourselves. Be refuges unto yourselves. Take yourself no external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast to the truth as a refuge. Look not for a refuge in anyone besides yourselves. And those, Ananda, who either now or after I am dead, Shall be a lamp unto themselves,
Shall betake themselves as no external refuge, But holding fast to the truth as their lamp, holding fast to the truth as their refuge, shall not look for refuge to anyone else besides themselves.It is they who shall reach to the very topmost height; but they must be anxious to learn.
