Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Photo credit: Randy Neufeldt
“Compassion automatically brings happiness and calmness.” ~The Dalai Lama
Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.
Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy with what you have.
~Zig Ziglar
by Andrew Olendzki © 2005
For those without feet, I have love.
I have love for all with two feet.
For those with four feet, I have love.
I have love for all with many feet.
May those without feet do me no harm.
May none with two feet do me harm.
May those with four feet do me no harm.
May none with many feet do me harm.
May all beings, all living things,
All who’ve come to be — one and all —
May they see every blessing!
May no evil at all come to them!
Without limit is Buddha.
Without limit is Dhamma.
Without limit is Sangha.
Translator’s note
This less-well-known metta verse has its origins in an ancient, probably pre-Buddhist, snake charm. It is taught by the Buddha in the Vinaya in response to his hearing of a monk who perished after being bitten by a snake. The first stanza, not translated here, extends loving kindness to the four main groups of snake deities. The Buddha tells the monks that if they adequately develop loving kindness to these snake deities, they will be free of harm from snake bites.
More interesting is the characteristic way in which the Buddha adapts an existing tradition — charms against snake bites — to serve as a vehicle for his own more universal teaching. He expands the cultivation of loving kindness far beyond snakes and reptiles to include insects, animals and all human beings. At the same time he emphasizes the interdependent thinking that one’s best protection against being harmed is to do no harm oneself to others.
The word metta has a more unique scope than even that most protean of English words — love — can easily express. Except for the fact that it throws off the eight-syllable meter of the verse, one can easily substitute words such as friendship, friendliness, deep unselfish caring or loving kindness.
Cat paws: To us, they’re the cute, spongy things you play with like miniature stress balls after a bad day. To cats, they’re essential for getting around. Either way, cat paws are amazing. Functional enough to unlock an iPhone and so adorable they resemble teddy bears. Source: RocketNews24
When hearts are connected, time and distance cannot break them apart – no matter what.
Some say it’s difficult to remember;
Some say it’s difficult to forget,
So remember not to forget me;
And don’t forget to remember me.
~Santabanta
I was on a ship thinking of you.
When I looked down I dropped a tear in the ocean.
Then I promised myself that until someone finds it.
I won’t forget you! ~Santabanta
The term deer covers a wide spectrum of species. It may surprise you to learn about all of the different ones out there. They all have unique characteristics about them. However, they all have many similarities and that is what most people know about them.
There is so much more than meets the eye with the deer species in the world. Taking some time to evaluate the different ones in detail can give you a new appreciation of these animals. A huge problem for them is trying to find a balance between humans and nature. Since the deer have no control over that, it is up to each of us to make good choices and to help protect their world as they know it. Source: deerworlds
When I close my eyes, I see you!
When I open my eyes, I miss you!
~Santabanta
ព្រះត្រៃបិដក ប្រែថា កញ្រ្ចែង ឬ ល្អី ៣ សម្រាប់ដាក់ផ្ទុកពាក្យពេចន៍នៃព្រះសម្មាសម្ពុទ្ធ
The Tipitaka or Pali canon, is the collection of primary Pali language texts which form the doctrinal foundation of Theravada Buddhism. The three divisions of the Tipitaka are: Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka.
វចនានុក្រមសម្តេចសង្ឃ ជួន ណាត
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Listen to Khmer literature and Dhamma talk by His Holiness Jotannano Chuon Nath, Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia Buddhism.
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.
As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, so the wise are not shaken by blame and praise. As a deep lake is clear and calm, so the wise become tranquil after they listened to the truth…
Good people walk on regardless of what happens to them. Good people do not babble on about their desires. Whether touched by happiness or by sorrow, the wise never appear elated or depressed. ~The Dhammapada
