Top 200 Buddhist Quotes (2024 Update)
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51. “Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think.”

— Buddha

52. “This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

53. “Live in Joy, In love, Even among those who hate. Live in joy, In health, Even among the afflicted. Live in joy, In peace, Even among the troubled. Look within. Be still. Free from fear and attachment, Know the sweet joy of living in the way.”

— Buddha

54. “Everything changes, nothing remains without change.”

— Buddha

55. “If you can do something about a situation, why worry? And if you can’t do something about a situation, why worry?”

— Dalai Lama XIV

56. “True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one’s own self being fully realized.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

57. “The mind is the source of happiness and unhappiness.”

— Buddha

58. “All created things are impermanent. Strive diligently.”

— Buddha

59. “All beings tremble before violence. All love life. All fear death. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?”

— Buddha

60. “Be a lamp to yourself. Be your own confidence. Hold on to the truth within yourself as to the only truth.”

— Buddha

61. “Smile, breathe, go slowly.”

— Nhat Hanh

62. “A truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change even if they behave negatively or hurt you.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

63. “Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens. How could this be anything other than the boundless joy of the Law?”

— Nichiren

64. “When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves or some immediate convenience. When we are able to recognize and forgive ignorant actions of the past, we gain strength to constructively solve the problems of the present.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

65. “A man may conquer a million men in battle but one who conquers himself is, indeed, the greatest of conquerors.”

— Buddha

66. “This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky, Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.”

— Buddha

67. “Love yourself and be awake- Today, tomorrow, always. First establish yourself in the way, Then teach others, And so defeat sorrow. To straighten the crooked You must first do a harder thing- Straighten yourself. You are your only master. Who else? Subdue yourself, And discover your master.”

— Buddha

68. “The beginner’s mind is the mind of compassion. When our mind is compassionate, it is boundless.”

— Shunryu Suzuki

69. “The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit. And the habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care. And let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings.”

— Buddha

70. “Attachment to views is the greatest impediment to the spiritual path.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

71. “A heart full of love and compassion is the main source of inner strength, willpower, happiness, and mental tranquility.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

72. “My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

73. “Radiate boundless love towards the entire world – above, below, and across – unhindered, without ill will, without enmity.”

— Buddha

74. “When sitting in meditation, say, “That’s not my business!” with every thought that comes by.”

— Ajahn Chah

75. “The world is afflicted by death and decay. But the wise do not grieve, having realized the nature of the world.”

— Buddha

76. “Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth.”

— Buddha

77. “If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.”

— Pema Chödrön

78. “Letting go gives us freedom and freedom is the only condition for happiness.”

— Nhat Hanh

79. “You are the community now. Be a lamp for yourselves. Be your own refuge. Seek for no other. All things must pass. Strive on diligently. Don’t give up.”

— Buddha

80. “The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

81. “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

82. “Love is the absence of judgment.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

83. “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

84. “Nothing can harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded.”

— Buddha

85. “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

86. “Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.”

— Buddha

87. “The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

88. “A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

89. “A man asked Lord Buddha “I want happiness.” Lord Buddha said – first remove “I” that’s ego. Then remove “Want” that’s desire. See now you are left with only “Happiness”.”

— Buddha

90. “The root of suffering is attachment.”

— Buddha

91. “When you talk you are only repeating something you already know. But, if you listen you may learn something new.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

92. “Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves.”

— Nhat Hanh

93. “If a problem can be solved it will be. If it can not be solved there is no use worrying about it.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

94. “A jug fills drop by drop.”

— Buddha

95. “If you can cultivate the right attitude, your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance and develop tolerance, patience and understanding.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

96. “Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”

— Pema Chödrön

97. “Hardships make us strong. Problems give birth to wisdom. Sorrows cultivate compassion. Those who have suffered the most will become the happiest.”

— Daisaku Ikeda

98. “My religion is kindness.”

— Dalai Lama XIV

99. “You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.”

— Pema Chödrön

100. “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh