Jendhamuni - Buddhism and inspiring quotes

Colored Rainbows

471 February 20, 2016

Dare to dream of coloured rainbows
and fine “castles in the air” –
and a Sun that shines so brightly
making cloudy days seem rare!

When you aim to find a purpose
then your life becomes worthwhile.
You will dazzle those about you –
when you show your own true style!

Our dreams are not for keeping –
simply borrowed for a while;
to console us in adversity
and teach us how to smile!

Dream again of coloured rainbows
and of bluebirds flying high.
You will overcome the obstacles
once you decide to try!

~by Roslyn (Ros) Mansell
For all the Dreamers

355 February 20, 2016

I sleep in the clouds, dream in the sky,
I’ll keep dreaming as life passes me by,
I think my dreams keep me sane,
I dream of happiness, a life without pain,
some people say I’m stuck in this place,
and I’ll never go anywhere,
but in my dreams I’ve already been there,
I know some day I’ll have to wake up,
but I feel the real world is more like a nightmare,
I’m safe in my closed eye wonderland,
this poem goes to all the dreamers that understand,
no matter what they say…
keep your dreams but don’t dream your life away.

Poem title: A Bed Of Clouds

Ashley L. May
Source: FamilyFriendPoems
Dahlia Flower

30 February 20, 2016

Flowers don’t worry about
how they’re going to bloom.
They just open up and turn
toward the light and that
makes them beautiful.

~Jim Carrey
Everyone needs a prayer

60 February 19, 2016

Everyone needs a friend,
everyone needs a love,
everyone needs a wish,
everyone needs a prayer.
When you need it,
look up at the night,
and see the stars.
And just pray to them.
We’re all here,
some of us are listening.
And sometimes,
the biggest prayer you need,
is there for you,
but you need to see it for yourself.

~Alex Clark
The Story of Nanda, the Herdsman

Comment February 17, 2016
Verse 42: A thief may harm a thief; an enemy may harm an enemy; but a wrongly directed mind can do oneself far greater harm.2

diso: lit.; an enemy; a thief in this context. (The Commentary)

According to the Commentary, the mind, wrongly set on the ten-fold evil path, will cause ruin and destruction not only in this life, but also, even in a hundred. thousand future existences in Apaya.

The Story of Nanda, the Herdsman

While on a visit to a village in the kingdom of Kosala, the Buddha uttered Verse (42) of this book, with reference to Nanda, the herdsman.

Nanda was a herdsman who looked after the cows of Anathapindika. Although only a herdsman, he had some means of his own. Occasionally, he would go to the house of Anathapindika and there he sometimes met the Buddha and listened to his discourses. Nanda requested the Buddha to pay a visit to his house. But the Buddha did not go to Nanda’s house immediately, saying that it was not yet time.

After some time, while travelling with his followers, the Buddha went off his route to visit Nanda, knowing that the time was ripe for Nanda to receive his teaching properly. Nanda respectfully received the Buddha and his followers; he served them milk and milk products and other choice food for seven days. On the last day, after hearing the discourse given by the Buddha, Nanda attained Sotapatti Fruition. As the Buddha was leaving that day, Nanda carrying the bowl of the Buddha, followed him for some distance, paid obeisance and turned back to go home. Continue reading →
The Elephant

Comment February 17, 2016

I shall endure painful words
as the elephant in battle endures arrows shot from the bow;
for most people are ill-natured.
They lead a tamed elephant into battle;
the king mounts a tamed elephant.

The tamed are the best of people,
who endure patiently painful words.
Mules are good, if tamed,
and noble Sindhu horses and elephants with large tusks;
but whoever tames oneself is better still.
For with these animals no one reaches the untrodden country
where a tamed person goes on one’s own tamed nature.

The elephant called Dhanapalaka is hard to control
when his temples are running with pungent sap.
He does not eat a morsel when bound;
the elephant longs for the elephant grove.

If one becomes lazy and a glutton,
rolling oneself about in gross sleep,
like a hog fed on grains,
that fool is born again and again.

This mind of mine used to wander
as it liked, as it desired, as it pleased.
I shall now control it thoroughly,
as the rider holding the hook controls the elephant in rut.

Do not be thoughtless; watch your thoughts.
Extricate yourself from the wrong path,
like an elephant sunk in the mud.

If you find an intelligent companion
who will walk with you,
who lives wisely, soberly, overcoming all dangers,
walk with that person in joy and thoughtfulness.

If you find no intelligent companion
who will walk with you,
who lives wisely and soberly,
walk alone like a king who has renounced a conquered kingdom
or like an elephant in the forest.

It is better to live alone;
there is no companionship with a fool.
Let a person walk alone with few wishes, committing no wrong,
like an elephant in the forest.

Companions are pleasant when an occasion arises;
sharing enjoyment is pleasant.
At the hour of death it is pleasant to have done good.
The giving up of all sorrow is pleasant.

Motherhood is pleasant in this world;
fatherhood is pleasant.
Being an ascetic is pleasant;
being a holy person is pleasant.

Virtue lasting to old age is pleasant;
faith firmly rooted is pleasant;
attainment of wisdom is pleasant;
avoiding wrong is pleasant.

~The Dhammapada
Calm mind brings inner strength

Comment February 15, 2016

Too much self-centered attitude, you see, brings, you see, isolation. Result: loneliness, fear, anger. The extreme self-centered attitude is the source of suffering. World belongs to humanity, not this leader, that leader or that king or prince or religious leader. World belongs to humanity. ~Dalai Lama
An Enchanted Garden

394 February 14, 2016

How true it is that,
if we are cheerful and contented,
all nature smiles,
the air seems more balmy,
the sky clearer,
the earth has a brighter green…
the flowers are more fragrant…
and the sun, moon, and stars
all appear more beautiful,
and seem to rejoice with us.

~Orison Swett Marden
It’s Not Too Late

204 February 14, 2016

It’s not too late… the angel said.
Even though the world’s a mess…
Even though you’re not as young…
Even though you’ve made mistakes and have been afraid
It’s not too late…
And then I saw the world through the angels’ eyes…
I saw the colors I could paint
The bridges I could build
The lives that I could touch
The dreams that could still come true
And it became very clear to me…
That it’s not too late.

~Written by Ron Atchison
Bird sings

51 February 14, 2016

I hear the bird sings
It is so beautiful
I will sing along.

~Zach Aurel Henderson

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Shantidevas’ Bodhisattva vows

Should anyone wish to ridicule me and make me an object of jest and scorn why should I possibly care if I have dedicated myself to others?

Let them do as they wish with me so long as it does not harm them. May no one who encounters me ever have an insignificant contact.

Regardless whether those whom I meet respond towards me with anger or faith, may the mere fact of our meeting contribute to the fulfilment of their wishes.

May the slander, harm and all forms of abuse that anyone should direct towards me act as a cause of their enlightenment.