Quotes from Gil Fronsdal

Once you know your deepest wish you can base your life on intention rather than craving

One of the things that kills Buddhist spiritual life is excessive seriousness.

We can in fact remove from our hearts the toxic forces of greed, hate, and delusion.

The intentions to be kind, compassionate, helpful, happy, and liberated are among the most beautiful qualities we have as humans.

Oneself, indeed, is one's own protector. One does, indeed, [make] one's own destiny.

Hatred never ends through hatred. By non-hate alone does it end. This is an ancient truth.

Better than a thousand meaningless statements Is one meaningful word, Which, having been heard, Brings peace.

Buddhist teachings suggest that when we find the thing that keeps us from appreciating the present, the thing that keeps us from trusting, the very thing that causes us suffering, it is a gate to freedom, to awakening.

A loving heart does not need to be loved. Being loving is more important than being loved.

Evil is done by oneself alone; By oneself is one defiled. Evil is avoided by oneself; By oneself alone is one purified. Purity and impurity depend on oneself; No one can purify another.

Greater in combat Than a person who conquers A thousand times a thousand people Is the person who conquers herself.

do not turn anything Into something longed for, For then it's dreadful to lose.

Ancient is this [saying], O Atula, It is not just of today: They find fault in one sitting silently, They find fault in one speaking much, They find fault in one speaking moderately. No one in this world is not found at fault.

the tradition discourages attachments to any particular ideas of enlightenment as well as to pointless philosophical or metaphysical speculation.

Whoever endures abuse, assault, and imprisonment Without animosity, And who has forbearance as one's strength, As one's mighty army, I call a brahmin.

The gift of Dharma surpasses all gifts. The taste of Dharma surpasses all tastes. The delight in Dharma surpasses all delights. The destruction of craving conquers all suffering.

Not doing evil is happiness.

One who makes merit rejoices in this life, Rejoices in the next, Rejoices in both worlds. Seeing one's own pure acts brings joy and delight.

One who does evil is tormented in this life, Tormented in the next, Is tormented in both worlds. Here he is tormented, knowing, "I have done evil." Reborn in realms of woe, he is tormented all the more.

Doing no evil, Engaging in what's skillful, And purifying one's mind: This is the teaching of the buddhas.

Patient endurance is the supreme austerity.

One who delights in the ending of craving Is a disciple of the Fully Awakened One.

The wise Protect vigilance as the greatest treasure.

Vigilant and absorbed in meditation One attains abundant happiness.