Buddha Quotes: 20 of the most famous quotes attributed to Buddha

Here are 20 of the most famous Buddha Quotes, each reflecting his teachings on life, mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom:

1. “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

2. “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.”

3. “Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.”

4. “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

5. “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”

6. “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

7. “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”

8. “The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.”

9. “Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.”

10. “Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”

11. “To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”

12. “If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path.”

13. “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.”

14. “There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path.”

15. “Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.”

16. “Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.”

17. “Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”

18. “A disciplined mind brings happiness.”

19. “In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.”

20. “The root of suffering is attachment.”

These quotes encapsulate Buddha’s wisdom and teachings, encouraging mindfulness, compassion, and self-awareness.

The Story of Buddha and the Angry Man

One day, as Buddha was giving a sermon in a village, a man walked up to him filled with anger. He began shouting at Buddha, insulting him, and calling him names. The man was trying to provoke Buddha, hoping to get a reaction. But Buddha remained calm, unaffected, and continued speaking as if the man wasn’t there. After a while, noticing that Buddha hadn’t responded, the man grew tired of shouting and eventually asked Buddha, “Why aren’t you responding to me? Don’t my words bother you?”

Buddha turned to the man and smiled gently. He said, “If someone offers you a gift, but you choose not to accept it, to whom does the gift belong?” The man replied, “It would still belong to the person who offered it.” Buddha responded, “In the same way, I do not accept your anger or insults. They remain with you.”

This response surprised the man and made him realize the futility of his anger. Buddha’s calm and wise reaction helped him see that anger and hatred only hurt the person who harbors them. Inspired by Buddha’s peace, the man became a follower and began studying his teachings.

Moral of the Story

This story illustrates the Buddha’s teaching on non-attachment and inner peace. It teaches that we are not obligated to accept negativity from others; instead, we can choose to let it pass by us without allowing it to disturb our own peace. Buddha’s calm response not only deflected the man’s anger but also helped the man recognize his own emotions, demonstrating the power of compassion and awareness.