Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are. —Markus Zusak

Pink lilies in my garden on June 27, 2024.

Jendhamuni at Wachusett Mountain on March 27, 2022

Cultivating humility as part of our efforts to live interdependence can be enhanced by a heartfelt awareness that we are always in a state of development. Because everything arises based upon the coming together of continually shifting conditions, however much or little of a certain positive quality we have, further growth is always possible. Moreover, our positive qualities can be developed without limit. As long as we are human, we can continually keep discovering new potentials. ~ 17th Karmapa

External appearances appear to the mind, but they are just a construction of the mind; when they appear, the mind gives them a label. For that reason, even if outside things seem good, there is not actually a whole lot to be attached to. If they seem bad, there is nothing to feel aversion toward. Therefore if we want to be free of suffering and faults and find happiness and good qualities, the most important thing is to tame our mind and to be diligent about doing so. This is why we meditate and this is why there are mind instructions. Since the mind is root of everything and everything comes down to the mind, there is nothing more important than taming our mind, meditating on samadhi, and resting in equipoise. ~ Thrangu Rinpoche

It might seem hard to understand karma. But if we look at it, the teachings on karma simply say that if we have a good intention and do a good act it will bring a good result. If we have a bad intention and do something bad, that will only bring a bad result—harm to ourselves and to others. If you actually think about it, it is not all that difficult. ~ Thrangu Rinpoche

Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need. ~ 14th Dalai Lama

Jendhamuni with Upasika Mony and Upasika Sary during Kathina Ceremony at Wat Kiryvongsa Bopharam, Peace Meditation Center on November 19, 2023.

Reducing our pride does not imply losing confidence — in fact, far from it. There is an important difference between confidence and pride. With pride, we look down on others. We need them to be less for ourselves to be more. Confidence is a virtuous form of pride. You feel able to do good things. ~ 17th Karmapa Continue reading →

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. ~ Louisa May Alcott

Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more. ~ David Steindl-Rast

Jendhamuni at Wat Kiryvongsa Bopharam on July 20, 2013.

Rain reminds us that we cannot stop what can’t be stopped. The world will turn, the seasons change, the rain falls, and life goes on. ~lovetoknow

A guarantee of rain always comes with a promise of sun, in weather and in life. ~lovetoknow

If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nations. When there is order in the nations, there will peace in the world. ~ Confucius