Shantideva Quotes (51) Spiritual Sayings
About the Author: Shantideva was an 8th-century Indian Buddhist monk and scholar at Nalanda. He was an adherent of the Madhyamaka philosophy of Nagarjuna. Apparently he was one of those people who didn't show up for anything, never studying or coming to practice sessions. His fellow monks said that his three “realizations” were eating, sleeping, and shitting. After being goaded into giving a talk to the entire university body, Shantideva delivered The Way of the Bodhisattva. See website for more info - http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Shantideva
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As long as space abides and as long as the world abides, so long may I abide, destroying the sufferings of the world.”
― Shantideva
“It is natural for the immature to harm others. Getting angry with them is like resenting a fire for burning.”
― Shantideva
If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.
Shantideva
― All the suffering in the world comes from seeking pleasure for oneself. All the happiness in the world comes from seeking pleasure for others.
Shantideva
― It is not possible to control all external events; But, if I simply control my mind what need is there to control other things?
Shantideva
Whatever happens, I will not let my cheerfulness be disturbed. Being unhappy won't get me anywhere and will dissipate all my goodness. Why be unhappy about something if you can change it? And if you can't, how will being unhappy help?
― Shantideva
May those whose hell it is to hate and hurt be turned into lovers bringing flowers.
― Shantideva
All those who are unhappy in the world are so as a result of their desire for their own happiness. All those who are happy in the world are so as a result of their desire for the happiness of others.
Shantideva
Instead of trying to cover the whole world with leather, put on some sandals.
― Shantideva
How wonderful will it be when all beings experience each other as limbs on the one body of life.
― Shantideva
All happiness comes from the desire for others to be happy.
― Shantideva
May the pain of every living creature be completely cleared away. May I be the doctor and the medicine and may I be the nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is healed.
― Shantideva
We are all slaves of our own actions. Why be angry with anyone else?
― Shantideva
Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied? And what is the use of being unhappy about something if it cannot be remedied?
― Shantideva
All the harm, fear, and suffering in the world are caused by attachment to the self: Why should I hold on to this great demon?
― Shantideva
May I be like a guard for those who are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to go across the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.
― Shantideva
Those desiring to escape from suffering hasten right toward suffering. With the very desire for happiness, out of delusion they destroy their own happiness as if it were an enemy
― Shantideva
There is no evil like hatred, and no fortitude like patience.
― Shantideva
May I be a light for those in need of light. May I be a bed for those in need of rest. May I be a servant for those in need of service, for all embodied beings.
― Shantideva
All the happiness there is in this world Arises from wishing others to be happy. And all the suffering there is in this world Arises from wishing oneself to be happy.
― Shantideva
Unruly beings are as unlimited as space They cannot possibly all be overcome, But if I overcome thoughts of anger alone This will be equivalent to vanquishing all foes. Where would I possibly find enough leather With which to cover the surface of the earth? But (wearing) leather just on the soles of my shoes Is equivalent to covering the earth with it. Likewise it is not possible for me To restrain the external course of things; But should I restrain this mind of mine What would be the need to restrain all else?
― Shantideva
All the joy the world contains
Has come through wishing happiness for others.
All the misery the world contains
Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.
― Shantideva
What need is there to say more? The childish work for their own benefit, The Buddhas work for the benefit of others. Just look at the difference between them.
― Shantideva
The renunciation of doing harm is the perfection of discipline
Shantideva
That which is seen and that which is touched are of a dream-like and illusion-like nature. Because feeling arises together with the mind, it is not [ultimately] perceived.
― Shantideva
Take advantage of this human boat;
Free yourself from sorrow's mighty stream!
This vessel will be later hard to find.
The time that you have now, you fool, is not for sleep!
― Shantideva
In the ages marked by scarcity and want, may I myself appear as drink and sustenance.
― Shantideva
If there were a truly existent I,
It would make sense to be afraid of certain things;
But, since there is no truly existent I,
Who is there to be afraid?
― Shantideva
All that may be wished for, will by nature fade to nothing.
― Shantideva
If you can solve your problem, what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, what is the use of worrying.
― Shantideva
How much suffering and fear, and
How many harmful things are in existence?
If all arises from clinging to the "I",
What should I do with this great demon?
― Shantideva
The hostile multitudes are vast as spaceWhat chance is there that all should be subdued? Let but this angry mind be overthrownAnd every foe is then and there destroyed
― Shantideva
Others are my main concern. When I notice something of mine, I steal it and give it to others.
― Shantideva
He who doesn't get rid of the I won't be able to avoid suffering the same way that someone who doesn't get apart from fire can't avoid being burn.
― Shantideva
Examine thus yourself from every side.
Note harmful thoughts and every futile striving.
Thus it is that heroes in the bodhisattva path
Apply the remedies to keep a steady mind.
― Shantideva
There is nothing to fear other than my mind.
― Shantideva
Passion is overcome only by him who has won through stillness of spirit the perfect vision; it comes through the contentment that is regardless of the world.
― Shantideva
Penetrative insight joined with calm abiding utterly eradicates afflicted states.
― Shantideva
My body, thus, and all my good besides, And all my merits gained and to be gained, I give them all away withholding nothing To bring about the benefit of beings.
― Shantideva
The source of all happiness lies in thinking of others.
― Shantideva
All those who slight me to my face,
Or do me any other evil,
Even if they blame or slander me,
May they attain the fortune of enlightenment!
― Shantideva
Just as I defend myself, therefore,
From all unpleasant happenings however small,
Likewise, I shall act for others' sake
To guard and to protect them with compassion.
― Shantideva
Self-confidence should be applied to wholesome actions,
Overcoming of delusions and my ability to overcome them.
Thinking, 'I alone shall do it'
Is the self-confidence of action.
― Shantideva
While others are engaged in inferior and menial tasks in which they encounter many difficulties, how can I sit here at peace and do nothing? I must and shall benefit them, but without ever succumbing to the poison of self-importance.
― Shantideva
One should do nothing other than what is directly or indirectly of benefit to living beings.
― Shantideva
Whenever conflict arises among living creatures the sense of ownership is the cause.
― Shantideva
Those who have no mental vigilance,
Though they may hear the teachings, ponder them or meditate,
With minds like water seeping from a leaking jug,
Their learning will not settle in their memories.
― Shantideva
In joy and sorrow all are equal,
Thus be guardian of all, as of yourself.
― Shantideva
Suffering also has its worth. Through sorrow, pride is driven out And pity felt for those who wander in samsara; Evil is avoided, goodness seems delightful.
― Shantideva
Partake of this sacred mystery: to take the place of others, giving them his own.
― Shantideva
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