by Esther IS Flesh and Blood S.
Member since:
May 8, 2007

Prophetic Words from Buddha

August 01, 2007 04:07 AM EDT (Updated: August 01, 2007 04:09 AM EDT)
views: 108 | comments: 49

It is better to conquer yourself then

to win a thousand battles.  Then the victory

is yours; it cannot be taken from you,

not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.

 

The Dhammapada of Guatama The Buddha, ca 500 BC

 

 

 

Remember, only that which cannot be taken away from you is yours.

Anything that can be taken away from you is not yours.

Don't cling to it, because the clinging will bring misery to you.

Do not be possessive of anything that can be taken away from you

because your possessiveness will create anguish for you.

Abide with that which is really yours, which nobody can take away from you.

It cannot be stolen, you cannot be robbed of it, you cannot go bankrupt as far

as it is concerned.  Even death cannot take it.

 

If you have conquered your consciousness, then the body will be burned,

turned to ashes, but you will not be burned.

You will remain forever  -- you are eternal.

But this eternity can be chosen only when you become a master on your own.      

 

 

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Comments: 49

Virgil W. Aug 1, 2007, 4:17am EDT
good advice
Virgil W. Aug 1, 2007, 4:17am EDT
I wish I could conquer myself!
M M. Aug 1, 2007, 4:38am EDT
Beautiful words. Thank you for reminding me of them.
Tom Manson Aug 1, 2007, 4:54am EDT
In losing ourselves, we will find our Self.
Moysant G. Aug 1, 2007, 6:28am EDT
So, true. Sometimes I wish someone would come and take my external junk so that I could understand my internal junk better.
james (coyote soul). gray Aug 1, 2007, 8:12am EDT
i"ve already found myself,i know where i"m at, i know who i am, buddhist phrases are nice ,but they are also of a slave mind sometimes. without the proper education and understanding of the buddhist thought,we in our ignorance become slaves to misunderstanding and stupidity. like the Tanach the only way to truly understand the REAL message is to learn it in it"s original language,for translations always lose the important somethings in the translation. my g-d whenever i hear certain text like this discussed without a true understanding of said text,i have to shake my head.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 8:14am EDT
Virgil, M M., Tom, and Moysant - Thank you all for your comments. I really enjoy these words.

I am feeling somewhat in need of inspiration of late and have decide to share some thing that I love to read and thought possilbly some of you would enjoy them as well. I will be putting one up every day for awhile so please look for them.

Esther S.~
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 8:19am EDT
James - In my humble opinion the words are just words, open to interpretation by said reader. Thats why the text in italics is the original translation and the bottom which is not in italics is the literal translation of said text.
Not everyone has to be a scholar to understand what is there to be read and to feel within themselves the meaning as it relates to them.

Thank you for your comments.

P.S. I could elaborate and write a long diatribe into the meanings of Buddha but feel that for the most part, most would be lost and be bored with that. This is what I felt "most" who are not as learned would be most inclined to understand.
Donald M. Aug 1, 2007, 9:55am EDT
Good words.
amanda w. Aug 1, 2007, 10:02am EDT
Sagacious, thought provoking words.
We must empty ourselves in order to become enlightened and must not be biased and judgemental. If only it were that easy to put into practice!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 10:08am EDT
Guilty1 - Thank you for agreeing with me, I just felt like the other person didn't think that some of us were intelligent enough to be able to "feel" this quote.

I appreciate your comments.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 10:08am EDT
Donald - Thanks for stopping by.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 10:12am EDT
Amanda - Indeed thought provoking. You're right, the only way to fully capture the essence of this quote or the quotes of Buddha you must be clear and "empty" in order to receive what we are reading and interpreting.

To be unbiased and unjudgemental in this world is unlikely.

Thanks for your comments!
Sue D. Aug 1, 2007, 10:18am EDT
Esther- interesting and thought provoking quotes. My mentor continually tells me to let things run through you like a hose. Don't hold on to them. Just be
Debra H. Aug 1, 2007, 11:03am EDT
Thanks so much for posting to my group!
Here's a nice big 10 for you!

 


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Ron B. Aug 1, 2007, 11:33am EDT
Very good and thought provoking. I met several young monks when I was overseas and was very impressed by their knowledge, insight and their demeanor.
Alison H. Aug 1, 2007, 12:36pm EDT
Nice quote, thanks.
Elizabeth A. Aug 1, 2007, 1:32pm EDT
Yep! Sweet Potahto, I know Iyam wot Iyam! No, no, they can't take that away from me.

'The way my smile just beams
The way I sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can't take that away from me
We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me

We may never, never meet again
On that bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of.....'


Thank you, Billie Holiday,
George and Ira Gershwin!
donna h. Aug 1, 2007, 2:42pm EDT
good advice
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 3:08pm EDT
Liz - I am very happy that you stopped by.

Thank you for commenting!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 3:12pm EDT
Sue - I don't have a mentor like you do and that is why I choose to learn the words or at least read them and to try to live my life in a more peaceful tranquil way. Life is too short to be wasted. One must forever continue to learn new things and new views in life.

Thank you so much for your comments!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 3:13pm EDT
Debra - Thank you so much for the 10, I appreciate the fact that you appreciate that I have posted this piece. Its refreshing to hear that we are not as closed minded as one might think isn't it?

Thanks for your comment!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 3:15pm EDT
Ron - I believe that you are one of the few lucky ones who has had the rare opportunity to have experienced the meeting and speaking to monks. I wish I had.

Thanks for commenting!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 3:15pm EDT
Allison - Thanks for enjoying!

Thanks for commenting!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 3:18pm EDT
Karen - In "light" of the recent occurences, I have resorted to old faithful in my life. Enjoying the things that I find peace, tranquility and pleasure in. These are the real things that make life living all worthwhile.

Thanks for being a friend!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 3:19pm EDT
Elizabeth - Thanks for sharing part of the Gershwins and Billy Holliday with us!

Thanks for stopping by!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 3:22pm EDT
Donna - Thanks for stopping by!
Peg Doak Aug 1, 2007, 3:38pm EDT
I may have begun my son's travels for truth, but he by passed me. His life is a prayer. With that I mean, an evaluation of all that is. it is not easy letting go, and I also believe that an intellectual diatribe is merely an excercise of EGO. And isn't that the false sense of self. Or false God by Christians. All beliefs have the road inward to the truth of ourself, noone else. To let go of what defines us. Or we think defines us. Intellect is another form of a false self. I've learned more wisdom from a child or an illiterate adult.
james (coyote soul). gray Aug 1, 2007, 3:50pm EDT
oh esther,you all, are intellegent enough, i meant no disrespect towards you or anyone, i didn"t attack you or any ones intelligence, as for your statment words are just words,open to interpretation-yes well lets you and i take a trip to the middle east and see how well that mindset has worked out.
Joe Corso Aug 1, 2007, 4:27pm EDT
Remember: If you love something, set it free, if it returns it is yours; if it doesn't it never was.
Lydia aka Freedom's Daughter Aug 1, 2007, 4:40pm EDT
Hi Esther, our work is ever with ourselves, isn't it. I like inspirational words also.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 5:23pm EDT
PeggyAnn - Thanks for the words of wisdom. I find that at times we don't take the time to understand each other because we don't want to or because or we simply don't care to. You're right about all beliefs having a road inward towards the truth ones self. It IS up to oneself to let go of what defines us indeed.

Thanks for your comments!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 5:30pm EDT
James - I'm with you on that comment.

Thanks for your comments!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 5:31pm EDT
Joe - Thanks for your words of wisdom.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 5:32pm EDT
Zola - The work within ourselves is along path; neverending.

Thanks for your comments!
Tom Manson Aug 1, 2007, 6:17pm EDT
'It is better to travel well than to arrive.'

The earnest seeker is more to be trusted than those who claim to have arrived.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 7:21pm EDT
Tom - I am still on my journey to seek truths...

Thanks for your comments.
Demongirl A.K.A. Girl Toy Aug 1, 2007, 9:05pm EDT
Well, it looks like I have a lot of conquering to do!! Great article!
violentine n. Aug 1, 2007, 9:11pm EDT
ahhh much wisdom!
Tom d. Aug 1, 2007, 10:27pm EDT
Thought provoking words. It's good to really think once in awhile instead of just doing mindless roaming on Gather for POINTS - like you usually do. This was good. I'm still working on the words, let's see... possessiveness will cause anguish ... Yeah, I think I've figured that one out a long time ago.

Good One Es.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 10:29pm EDT
Demongirl - You'll succeed because you're young and smart so you've have plenty of time!

Thanks for your comment.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 10:30pm EDT
Violentine - You're right, it gets us thinking doesn't it?

Thanks for your comment.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 1, 2007, 10:34pm EDT
Tom - You're right about the mindless drivel that one can get into and read sometimes. I too have been guilty of buying books that were worthless and not even enjoyable.
As for the roaming of Gather just for the points - I never think about those ever elusive points. Sure when I have enough to buy a gift card it'll be nice but that is never my motive for reading things around here. It must be interesting to get me to read it otherwise I am just wasting time and I could find better things to waste my time with away from Gather!
I am glad you learned your lesson pertaining to possessiveness...some of us still have a way to go.

Thank you so much for your comments my friend!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 2, 2007, 4:57am EDT
Karen - Thanks for stopping in again - "the light" remember that always my friend. Good night!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Aug 2, 2007, 9:02am EDT
Nan - What a wonderful idea!

Thanks for commenting!
Missy Cline Aug 3, 2007, 8:16pm EDT
excellent!!!!!!
Nick Smith Dec 15, 2007, 11:18am EST
Here is an interesting page on about Buddha
Tanzanite S. Aug 7, 2008, 5:40pm EDT
Thank you for posting these truthful words.
Krystal Harwell Mar 24, 2009, 11:48pm EDT
going thru your stuff to replay your kindness, even if i've seen it before!!

<3 Krystal

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