Śāntideva > Quotes

“If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.”
― Shantideva

“Where would I find enough leather
To cover the entire surface of the earth?
But with leather soles beneath my feet,
It’s as if the whole world has been covered.”
― Shantideva

“All the suffering there is in this world arises from wishing our self to be happy. All the happiness there is in this world arises from wishing others to be happy.”
― Shantideva

“May the blind see the forms,
May the deaf hear sounds.

May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food;
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.

May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the forlorn find new hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.

May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power,
And may the people think of benefiting one another”
― Shantideva

“We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! Why should others be the object of our anger?”
― Shantideva

“For as long as space endures 
And for as long as living beings remain, 
Until then may I too abide 
To dispel the misery of the world.”
― Shantideva

“Unruly beings are as unlimited as space
They cannot possibly all be overcome,
But if I overcome thoughts of anger alone
This will be equivalent to vanquishing all foes.

Where would I possibly find enough leather
With which to cover the surface of the earth?
But (wearing) leather just on the soles of my shoes
Is equivalent to covering the earth with it.

Likewise it is not possible for me
To restrain the external course of things;
But should I restrain this mind of mine
What would be the need to restrain all else?”
― Shantideva

“If there is a remedy, then what is the use of frustration? If there is no remedy, then what is the use of frustration?”
― Śāntideva, A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life

“All the happiness there is in this world comes from thinking about others, and all the suffering comes from preoccupation with yourself.”
― Shantideva

“Those desiring speedily to be
A refuge for themselves and others
Should make the interchange of "I" and "other,"
And thus embrace a sacred mystery.”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“We hate suffering, but love it’s causes.”
― Shantideva

“When happiness is liked by me and others equally, what is so special about me that I should strive after happiness only for myself?”
― Śāntideva

“We are the authors of our own destiny; and being the authors, we are ultimately, perhaps frighteningly, free.”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“All the joy the world contains Has come through wishing happiness for others. All the misery the world contains Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“What need is there to say more?
The childish work for their own benefit,
The Buddhas work for the benefit of others.
Just look at the difference between them.

If I do not exchange my happiness, for the suffering of others, I shall not attain the state of Buddhahood.
And even in Samsara I shall have no real joy.

The source of all misery in the world lies in thinking of oneself;
The source of all happiness lies in thinking of others.”
― Shantideva

“For a practitioner of love and compassion, an enemy is one of the most important teachers. Without an enemy you cannot practice tolerance, and without tolerance you cannon build a sound basis of compassion. So in order to practice compassion, you should have an enemy.

When you face your enemy who is going to hurt you, that is the real time to practice tolerance. Therefore, an enemy is the cause of the practice of tolerance; tolerance is the effect or result of an enemy. So those are cause and effect. As is said, "Once something has the relationship of arising from that thing, one cannot consider that thing from which it arises as a harmer; rather it assists the production of the effect.”
― Shantideva

“good works gathered in a thousand ages, such as deeds of generosity, or offerings to the blissful ones, a single flash of anger shatters them.”
― Shantideva

“So take advantage of this human boat. Free yourself from sorrow’s mighty stream! This vessel will be later hard to find. The time that you have now, you fool, is not for sleep!”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“All that may be wished for, will by nature fade to nothing.”
― Shantideva

“The source of sorrow is the pride of saying “I,” It’s fostered and increased by false belief in self. To this you may believe that there is no redress, But meditation on no-self will be the supreme way.”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“With perfect and unyielding faith,
With steadfastness, respect, and courtesy,
With modesty and conscientiousness,
Work calmly for the happiness of others.”
― Shantideva

“When fear and suffering are disliked by me and others equally what is so special about me that I protect myself and not the other?”
― Śāntideva

“And therefore I’ll dispel the pain of others, For it is simply pain, just like my own. And others I will aid and benefit, For they are living beings, like my body.”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“When the urge arises in your mind To feelings of desire or angry hate, Do not act! Be silent, do not speak! And like a log of wood be sure to stay.”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“when one has searched for these as realities, who desires and what is desired?”
― santideva

“19. May I be an isle for those who yearn for land, A lamp for those who long for light; For all who need a resting place, a bed; For those who need a servant, may I be their slave.”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“Like a dream,
Whatever I enjoy
Will become a memory;
The past is not revisited.”
― Shantideva

“People scorn the poor who have no wealth, They also criticize the rich who have it. What pleasure can derive from keeping company With people such as these, so difficult to please?”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“All the joy the world contains
Has come through wishing happiness for others.
All the misery the world contains
Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself. (8.129)”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

“What we see and what we touch Is stuff of dreams and mirages.”
― Śāntideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva