Siddhartha Gautama citations

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“Pour vivre en bonne santé, répandre la joie autour de soi, apporter la paix au monde entier, tu dois dompter et contrôler ton esprit. Si un homme domine son esprit, il trouvera le chemin vers la Lumière et toute la sagesse et la vertu du monde viendra à lui.”

“From now on, I do not permit my sravaka disciples to eat meat. … One who eats meat kills the seed of great compassion. … I, from now on, tell my disciples to refrain from eating any kind of meat. O Kasyapa! When one eats meat, this gives out the smell of meat while one is walking, standing, sitting or reclining. People smell this and become fearful. This is as when one comes near a lion. One sees and smells the lion, and fear arises. O good man! When one eats garlic, the dirty smell is unbearable. … It is the same with one who eats meat. It is a similar situation with all people who, on smelling the meat, become afraid and entertain the thought of death. All living things in the water, on land and in the sky desert such a person and run away. They say that this person is their enemy.”

“In all things, there is neither male nor female.”

“I will not take final Nirvana until I have nuns and female disciples who are accomplished…until I have laywomen followers…who will…. teach the Dhamma”

“There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way.”

“Thus, Mahāmati, wherever there is the evolution of living beings, let people cherish the thought of kinship with them, and, thinking that all beings are [to be loved as if they were] an only child, let them refrain from eating meat. So with Bodhisattvas whose nature is compassion, [the eating of] meat is to be avoided by him. Even in exceptional cases, it is not [compassionate] of a Bodhisattva of good standing to eat meat.”

“For fear of causing terror to living beings, Mahāmati, let the Bodhisattva who is disciplining himself to attain compassion, refrain from eating flesh.”

“The food of the wise, Mahāmati, is what is eaten by the Rishis; it does not consist of meat and blood.”

“I can affirm that a person who neither eats the flesh of other beings nor wears any part of the bodies of other beings, nor even thinks of eating or wearing these things, is a person who will gain liberation.”

“Solitude is happiness for one who is content, who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees. Non-affliction is happiness in the world - harmlessness towards all living beings.”

“Monks, a lay follower should not engage in five types of business. Which five? Business in weapons, business in human beings, business in meat, business in intoxicants, and business in poison.”

“That army of yours”

“If you seek to understand the whole universe, you will understand nothing at all. If you seek to understand yourself, you will understand to whole universe.”

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, And the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

“Indeed, wisdom is born of meditation; without meditation wisdom is lost. Knowing this twofold path of gain and loss of wisdom, one should conduct oneself so that wisdom may increase.”

“Whereas some ascetics and Brahmins remain addicted to attending such shows as dancing, singing, music, displays, recitations, hand-music, cymbals and drums, fairy-shows, acrobatic and conjuring tricks, combats of elephants, buffaloes, bulls, goats, rams, cocks and quail, fighting with staves, boxing, wrestling, sham-fights, parades, manoeuvres and military reviews, the ascetic Gotama refrains from attending such displays.”

“To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”

“No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.”

“Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.”

“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.”

“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.”

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”

“You only lose what you cling to.”

“In separateness lies the world's great misery, in compassion lies the world's true strength.”

“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?”

“Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.”

“If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path.”

“Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.”