BUDDHIST WISDOM

[Pravin Kumar]

If a man should conquer in battle a thousand and a thousand more, and another should conquer himself, his would be the greater victory, because the greatest of victories is the victory over oneself.

- Buddha

Sandalwood, tagara, lotus, & jasmine: Among these scents, The scent of virtue Is unsurpassed. Next to nothing, this fragrance --sandalwood, tagara while the scent of the virtuous wafts to the gods, supreme.

- Dhammapada, 4, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu


Monks, if people speak badly of me or badly of the teaching or of our order of monks, you should not because of their ill will hold any thoughts of enmity toward them or any spite, nor even be at all worried. For if you are angry or displeased with them it will hurt you more than them. Indeed, if you were to feel angry or displeased, would you then be able to know what is well intended and what is badly intended from others?" "No, we would not be able to know this." "So, if others speak ill of me or the teaching or the order, you should with goodwill unravel the untruth of what they have said and make it all clear to them, saying, 'For this reason, that is false; for this reason, that is untrue; these things are not within us."

- Digha Nikaya

Do not choose bad friends. Do not choose persons of low habits. Select good friends. Be discriminating. Choose the best.

- Dhammapada 78