“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity”….The Buddha.

These words of the Buddha are such that everyone can understand. This quote is straight forward and to the point. When I talk with people about such ideals they fully agree. Yet they go on hating someone in their lives. The only person they are hurting is themselves.

All negative emotion is damaging. But it is damaging to the person having the emotion. We must work to live our lives in a positive fashion.  Happiness is the goal.

There are a lot of people in my world who do not like me very much. Some people detest me. At one time I harbored bad feelings for them also. But I have let these feelings and people  go. I have removed their influence and presence from my life and simply let go. What if I see them? I say hello and wish them the best. This has nothing to do with being better than they are. I just chose to be happy no matter what.

At one time I had to do business with someone that made me feel very uncomfortable. He was very abrasive, cold, arrogant and rude. It took me some time, but I removed him as a business dealing. The cost was high, but feeling good was far more important.

When you encounter your enemy is life understand the great lessons they have taught you. These people can help you develop self control and understanding.  Love your enemy because at the very least you will drive them crazy. If you cannot do this, then do no harm. The harm you do is to yourself.  Anger and hatred will take years off your life.

To do this you must put your ego aside. I hear people say “He makes me so angry” When the truth is. ” When I see or talk to him I make MYSELF so angry.” Rather than this course think to yourself “I chose in this moment to be happy.” Change will come.

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity”

Compassion is not a weakness but a strength. It is one of the greatest strenghts in humanity. Compassion does not mean allowing your enemy to walk all over you.  Be compassionate to yourself first.  Apply the Buddha’s message to your life, then to everyone else in your world.

11 Comments »

1. 

   I agree with the sentiment. But, it ought to be noted that the Buddha quote is a fake: http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/fake-buddha-quote-a-generous-heart-kind-speech-and-a-life-of-service-and-compassion-are-the-things-that-renew-humanity

   So is the one you’ve posted as “Words of the Buddha”: http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/my-life-in-bullet-points-again

   Comment by Jeff — January 18, 2011 @ 8:13 am

2. 

   You mean like quotes from all religious texts…

   Comment by Grand Master Art Mason — January 18, 2011 @ 9:52 am

3. 

   That’s an interesting sentiment about being detested. Its funny to think the people I have detested or have detested me, at one time were very close friends over many countless lifetimes.

   I was watching TV the other day, and it was a show about women that murder their husbands. This lady clorophomed her husband and put his body in a vat of acid while he was unconscious, talk about being detested lol. It occured to me that if we don’t get out of the cycle existence, if someone hangs around in cyclic existence long enough this’ll happen to everyone.

   Its like a quote I once read about an indian master, maybe it was Shantideva, don’t remember. He said that arguing with other people is like two inmates sentenced to death arguing, seems pretty pointless

   Comment by Lee — January 23, 2011 @ 8:50 am

4. 

   I won’t dispute you that quotes in all sorts of religious texts are fakes–and that can include the official sutta/sutras, since they were written down long, long after the death of the Buddha. But what’s the point in attributing something to someone (such as Buddha) when it was made up a few years ago and is known to be fake? What does it accomplish? Why not just offer it without the wrong attribution?

   Comment by Jeff — January 25, 2011 @ 7:05 am

5. 

   Well, it is a paradox since you cannot prove he did not say it, nor can you prove he did say….One website will say yes he did say these things, others will say no, but really no one knows what he said or did not say as none of us were there…The truth is it does not really matter…..Why do I quote it? Because I like too….that is the only reason…..

   Comment by Grand Master Art Mason — January 25, 2011 @ 7:42 am

6. 

   Shouldn’t the truth in the quote be its message and not the speaker? Because I find that often we speak without realising the impact of what we say on other people including ourselves. For example society is the result of what goes on in our minds….

   Comment by J Passing — April 7, 2011 @ 4:00 pm

7. 

   I would only reference the speaker as a vehicle toward the truth, not the truth itself…..so I agree with you…..

   Comment by Grand Master Art Mason — April 7, 2011 @ 5:36 pm

8. 

   What does it matter whether something said is fake, or not, just so long as their is an element of wisdom there? Surely we can take what we like and leave the rest, rather nitpick. Aren’t we bigger than that?

   It makes me feel so happy to read whatever Buddha Nature offers me – It gives me the opportunity to gather my thoughts and sets the tone for the day with a peaceful heart. I’m truly grateful. Thank you, Buddha Nature.

   Comment by Elizabeth Jackson — September 2, 2011 @ 6:12 am

9. 

   Thanks Elizabeth….unfortunately great teachings get turned into dogma. Don’t think Buddha intended to create a religion.

   Comment by Grand Master Art Mason — September 2, 2011 @ 6:18 am

10. 

    What if you are being lied about so much and people are using that very concept to completely destroy who you are. I am an actress and I love to work in entertainment and film in America, but we have such a twisted perepctive of what it means to serve the world. My endeavors to me give me such happiness in the acting and arts that I want to spend my time volunteering and raising funds for causes I believe in. Yet in America I must serve my community. I must go work in a courtroom, church, school or legal field, because otherwise every other endeavor is not community involvement even if I am helping the community that means the most to me. I love acting. I could never share my life with anyone who did not love it also. By individuals in my life trying to make me live up to there idea of serving “the community” I am left with no hope of love, a family of my own, and life I want to live for. I do not want to be angry all the time. It is unhealthy. Yet I feel as though others are trying to push me into relationships I do not want in a country where individauls are supposed to have rights to chose. to me a life of service would be me working with actors and making films that benefit others. It is not being at a desk in an office. I am not like others, yet I have others assume what they want is what I want, which is far from the truth

    Comment by Laura Ann Tull — September 2, 2011 @ 6:49 am

11. 

    I worked in a factor for many years, that was not service but slavery. Today I teach martial arts for a living. That is my idea of service:)

    Comment by Grand Master Art Mason — September 2, 2011 @ 6:59 am

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