Santideva Quotes

#1. But if, through seeking happiness, my deeds are wrong, No matter where I turn my steps, The knives of misery will cut me down, The wage and retribution of a sinful life.

Santideva

#2. Where would I find enough leather
To cover the entire surface of the earth?
But with leather soles beneath my feet,
It's as if the whole world has been covered.

Santideva

#3. But if my acts are good, sincerely intended, Then no matter where I turn my steps, The merit gained will honor me With its resulting benefits.

Santideva

#4. Those tormented by the pain of anger, Never know tranquillity of mind - Strangers they will be to every pleasure; They will neither sleep nor feel secure.

Santideva

#5. We are the authors of our own destiny; and being the authors, we are ultimately, perhaps frighteningly, free.

Santideva

#6. when one has searched for these as realities, who desires and what is desired?

Santideva

#7. 28. Anger, lust, these enemies of mine, Are limbless and devoid of faculties. They have no bravery, no cleverness; How then have they reduced me to such slavery?

Santideva

#8. So take your pleasure in the excellence of others. Let them be a heartfelt joy to you.

Santideva

#9. Those desiring speedily to be
A refuge for themselves and others
Should make the interchange of "I" and "other,"
And thus embrace a sacred mystery.

Santideva

#10. If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?

Santideva

#11. If there is a remedy, then what is the use of frustration? If there is no remedy, then what is the use of frustration?

Santideva

#12. All that I possess and use Is like the fleeting vision of a dream. It fades into the realms of memory, And fading, will be seen no more.

Santideva

#13. When fear and suffering are disliked by me and others equally what is so special about me that I protect myself and not the other?

Santideva

#14. When the urge arises in your mind To feelings of desire or angry hate, Do not act! Be silent, do not speak! And like a log of wood be sure to stay.

Santideva

#15. With perfect and unyielding faith,
With steadfastness, respect, and courtesy,
With modesty and conscientiousness,
Work calmly for the happiness of others.

Santideva

#16. I say that it's the joy that others take in me, It's this that is the cause of my delight.

Santideva

#17. Therefore flee the company of childish people. Greet them, when you meet, with smiles That keep on terms of common courtesy, Without inviting intimate relations.

Santideva

#18. If there's a remedy when trouble strikes, What reason is there for dejection? And if there is no help for it, What use is there in being glum?

Santideva

#19. There's nothing that does not grow light Through habit and familiarity. Putting up with little cares I'll train myself to bear with great adversity!

Santideva

#20. good works gathered in a thousand ages, such as deeds of generosity, or offerings to the blissful ones, a single flash of anger shatters them.

Santideva

#21. We hate suffering, but love it's causes.

Santideva

#22. So, like a treasure found at home, That I have gained without fatigue, My enemies are helpers in my Bodhisattva work And therefore they should be a joy to me. 108. Since I have grown in patience Thanks to them, To them its first fruits I should give, For of my patience they have been the cause.

Santideva

#23. We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! Why should others be the object of our anger?

Santideva

#24. Like a dream,
Whatever I enjoy
Will become a memory;
The past is not revisited.

Santideva

#25. For as long as space endures
And for as long as living beings remain,
Until then may I too abide
To dispel the misery of the world.

Santideva

#26. When happiness is liked by me and others equally, what is so special about me that I should strive after happiness only for myself?

Santideva

#27. Just as on a dark night black with clouds, The sudden lightning glares and all is clearly shown, Likewise rarely, through the Buddhas' power, Virtuous thoughts rise, brief and transient, in the world.

Santideva

#28. My wealth of merit gathered in, With reverence but without conceptual target, When shall I reveal this truth of emptiness To those who go to ruin through belief in real existence?

Santideva

#29. Afflictive passion and the veil upon cognition - The cure for their obscurity is emptiness. How then shall they not meditate on this Who wish for swift attainment of omniscience?

Santideva