Many people follow Buddhism to seek enlightenment, but regardless of whether or not you are Buddhist, you will find the words of wisdom from Buddha inspiring. Born Siddhartha Gautama, Buddha lived in the sixth century B.C.E. His father was a king and he led a privileged childhood. However, in his late twenties he left the palace to find peace from suffering. After six years he found enlightenment during meditation, and he began teaching what he had learned through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. His teachings were very profound, as are the words of wisdom from Buddha.
The words of wisdom from Buddha focus on many topics, including anger. Buddha asserted, “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.” Being angry will only hurt you in the end, especially if you carry the anger around. Anger can be all consuming, which is why it is much better to let go of any anger that you carry with you.
While many of Buddha’s words are profound, his statements regarding internal thoughts are often very deep and provide a lot to reflect upon. Regarding thought patterns, Buddha declared, “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” Your thoughts can be more powerful than you think. Believing in yourself and fostering joyful thoughts will help create a happy life.
One of the truths about life is that only you can help yourself. Buddha recognized this when he stated, “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can, and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” If you want to change something in your life, you are the only person who can make that change happen. The nice thing about this fact is that you don’t have to rely on other people for change. Change can come from within.
A common phrase that can be heard on playgrounds is, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Unfortunately, this is not true. Words do hurt, which Buddha emphasized when he asserted, “The tongue, like a sharp knife…kills without drawing blood.” Consider what you say carefully, because harsh words can really hurt someone.
Speaking of considering your words carefully, Buddha stressed that, “The wise ones fashioned speech with their thoughts, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve.” As much as you may like to, you can never take back the things you say. For this reason, it is much better to think before you speak, especially when you are angry. Often, people say things they regret when they are angry, which is avoidable if you think about what you are going to say.
Almost everyone has either read or had someone tell them that life is a journey. However, not everyone has heard Buddha’s words, “It is better to travel well than to arrive.” Life isn’t always about the destination. When you are trying to reach a goal, enjoy the process. Don’t get caught up in the end result.
The older I get, the more I realize that life is full of disorder and confusion. Buddha explained this truth eloquently when he asserted, “Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.” Even though life is full of disorder and confusion, it is important to continue living life by trying to reach your goals. Don’t let chaos get in the way.
Buddha’s teachings are applicable to all people, whether they are Buddhist or not. His words were very wise and profound, which is why these quotes are truly inspirational. Which of these quotes can you relate to?
Sources: biography.com, brainyquote.com