Here are further sayings attributed to Buddha (563?–483? BC) in the oldest records of his
teachings. "Suffering can be ended," he taught, and "Right livelihood favours
contemplation", as specified in the synergetic Eightfold Path of right thoughts, deeds,
skilful living, and so on.
Found in the world:
(1) He who goes with the stream; (2) he who goes against the stream; (3) he who stands firm;
and (4) he who has crossed over to the other shore and stands on dry land.
- The one who indulges in sense desires and commits wrong deeds goes with the stream.
- He who lives the pure, decent life, goes against the stream.
- He who stands properly firm throughout life is to be reborn in the divine
realm.
- Who has gone to the other shore and stands on dry land there, is the one who has
realized for himself, in this very life, the liberation and hidden knowledge. [Cf. Buddha
(CNP 5)]
Four right efforts:
- One should put forth some effort to prevent evil, and prevent unwholesome states of
mind from arising.
- One should put forth some effort to get rid of evil and unwholesome states of mind
that are there (have arisen).
- Put forth much effort to arouse good, and also wholesome states of mind.
- Also put forth some effort to develop and bring to perfection the good and wholesome
states of mind already there (already arisen). [Mod Buddha (CNP 13)
Four ways of dealing with questions:
- Some should be given direct answers.
- Others should be answered by way of analysing them.
- Some questions should be answered by counter-questions.
- And some questions should simply be put aside. [Buddha (CNP 42)
- [And keeping something (decision, issue, belief, etc. temporarily) unsettled (in suspense, unresolved) may work well, as opposed to arguing about it. Letting many things remain in suspense (unresolved, unsettled, etc.) "so far" is a feature of foundational research. It can also be derived very well from Buddha's famous Kalama Sutta. - T. K.]
Character
A person's character may be found out thus:
- His virtue can be known by a wise and intelligent person paying close attention after
living together with him for a very long time.
- His integrity can be known by a wise and intelligent person by having dealings with
him, paying close attention over a long period of time.
- His fortitude can be known by a wise and intelligent person by observing him with
close attention in times of misfortune.
- His wisdom can be judged by a wise and intelligent person when conversing with him on
various subjects over a long period of time. [Buddha (CNP 192)
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Most of these sayings and statements tie in with statements of Buddha in ancient records at
Sri Lanka. There are links to further readings at the bottom of the page.
A fully enlightened one is
true from inside out too
Someone who understands the Four Noble Truths correctly has a keen mind. [Buddha
(TNP 25)]
The cat let out: Here are some very important points in the art of living on
an even keel:
- Hold on to your happiness and initiate and stay with sane deals and conditions,
or else there will be unnecessary and uncalled for sufferings.
- Shield your happiness and fare well enough; many are marauders, and some may
seek to tame you.
- Know your strong sides and favour yourself and your family throughout first - in
apt, widening circles.
- Know who your friends are; they should be able to help or assist you in a pucker
or three.
- Wisdom is required to filter a lot in life well so as to maximize fitness with
developed skills, fair deals, sane pleasures, and joys of family living and so on - and to
reduce what leads to suffering.
Unless or until we stay on the sunny side of life as we are called to, there may be
suffering, degradations set in - and at a certain point abandonment of things may be a way
out - but a reduction from a fully flowering life-course may come only at a price. So
stick to your good sides and good things - including fine equipment - to be able to develop
finer sides of life and yourself. The latter is sought through getting skilful by and large
and skilfulness in contemplation (dhyana). And steer away from reductionistic living to your
ability. To be sure, Buddha advocates almost all of these things too, as it was recorded a
long time ago. There are quotations that attest to that.
Associating with a good person; hearing the
fit ways of man, Dharma; maintaining a right attitude of mind; and leading a proper life in
tune with the Dharma are conducive to the growth of wisdom. [Cf. Buddha (CNP 248)] ◇
All conditioned formations are subject to possible suffering. [Buddha (TNP 137)]
The fully enlightened one is the highest among all living beings. [Buddha. CNP]
Greed, hatred and ignorance all give rise to actions. Wherever the actions ripen,
there the individual reaps the fruits of those actions (karmas). [Buddha (TNP 38)]
When you know personally that certain things are wrong, unwholesome, bad, then give
them up; when you know personally that certain things are right, wholesome, good, then
accept them, and adhere to them." [Buddha (TNP 66)]
Give food wherever you feel for it and it is OK to do so. [Cf. Buddha (CNP 57)]
The teaching is that fragrant
deeds profit you, if not here and now, then later somewhere, sometime
A MOTHER cannot shield her son from old age, disease and death; nor can the son shield
his mother from them. [Buddha (TNP 63)]
You may go on till you prosper and grow in wealth - and advance in the spiritual work
(sadhana) too. [Cf. Buddha (TNP 19)]
Evil, previous deeds form effects. [Cf. Buddha (CNP 182)]
Three kinds of individuals in the world: One
speaks words reeking with foul smell; one speaks words of fragrance; and one speaks words
sweet as honey. [Buddha (TNP 28)] ◇
A contemplative should pay equal attention to concentration, energetic effort and
equanimity, and not exclusively to one of these factors only. [Buddha (TNP 103)]
Thoughts of this world, in this
world, don't reach to Buddha's mind or mystery - that is taught
AMONG what is unconditioned, Nirvana is the highest to reach. [With Buddha. CNP]
A grateful and thankful person is rare in this world. [Buddha (TNP 115)]
To hold that there is pleasantness (sukha) in that which is foul, is due to distortions.
[Buddha (CNP 49)]
The fool can be known by his conduct, speech, and thoughts - and so can the wise man.
[Buddha (TNP 3)]
To stay together for long, try to have the same faith, the same virtue, the same
generosity and the same wisdom, and blend well. [Cf. Buddha, (CNP 55-56)]
GREAT IMPONDERABLES are not to be pondered on; for it could lead to mental distress and
even insanity in some cases. [Cf. Buddha (CNP 77)] ✪
One should not hinder proper alms-giving. [Cf. Buddha TNP]
Decay, illness and death may be hard to aver.*
As a Tathagata [Awakened One] speaks, so he acts; as he acts, so he speaks. [Buddha (CNP
23)]
Someone who can expound the Teaching and Discipline as taught by Buddha is rare in this
world. [Buddha TNP]
- Keep true and get keen, and thus shield your strong sides and happiness by evolving the family of fit and fair deals, and which is wholesome, for example.
- Favour fragrant deeds that grow and speak well, sweet as honey.
- Truth and pleasantness are hard to go against for long, for doing so implies getting "out of shape" some way or other, and may well lead to mental distress (bad conscience) and insanity.
A good decision: Keep fragrantly true and "speak blossoms".
