Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
Bhikkhus remain celibate and childless, not as a practice of austerity, but as a means of being more free to help others.
Thich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
The Buddha told them to follow their breath and smile.
Thich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
We practice meditation even as we beg. Continue to meditate on the impermanent and non-self nature of the aggregates which comprise all beings. The five aggregates are the body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness. Observe your breath and thoughts, and your mind will not become dispersed.”
Thich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
“Anuruddha, reality in itself cannot be expressed by conceptual knowledge or by written and spoken language. Only the understanding which meditation brings can help us recognize the essence of reality. Anuruddha, a person who has never tasted a mango cannot know its taste no matter how many words and concepts someone else uses to describe it to
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“As living beings, people have to suffer, more or less. However, those who devote themselves to the study and practice of the Dharma suffer much less than others, because they possess understanding, the fruit of their practice.”
Thich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
the happiness liberation brings is true, unconditional happiness. It can never be destroyed. Aspire to that happiness.”
Thich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
Some people despise their own minds and bodies so much they want to commit suicide. They see only the suffering in life. But suffering is not the true nature of the universe. Suffering is the result of the way we live and of our erroneous understanding of life.”
Thich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
He showed them how to sit still and to follow their breath in order to calm their minds when they felt sad or angry. He taught them walking meditation to refresh their minds and bodies. He taught them to look deeply at others and at their own actions in order to be able to see, to understand, and to love.
Thich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
“Beauty arises and passes away like all other phenomena. Fame and fortune are no different. Only the peace, joy, and freedom that are the fruits of meditation bring true happiness. Ambapali, cherish and take good care of all the moments left to you in this life. Do not lose yourself in forgetfulness or idle amusements.