Buddhist Proverbs

This Sunday, April 15th 2012, I have been asked to give the message at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago. I decided to discuss the “Four Dharma Seals.” In my research I came across many Buddhist Proverbs at http://japanlifeandreligion.com, the following ten are the my favorites. I am not going to add commentary at this time but I hope to do so in the future. Furthermore, If you live in Chicago please come on by as I would love to meet you.

I also suggest using these proverbs as an object for contemplation/meditation.

悪事身にとまる (akuji mi ni tomaru) – All evil done clings to the body.
頭そるより心をそれ (atama soru yori kokoro wo soré) – Better to shave the heart than to shave the head.
会うは別れのはじめ (au wa wakaré no hajimé) – Meeting is only the beginning of separation. (This one I am using!)
凡夫も悟れば仏なり (bonbu mo satoréba hotoké nari) – Even a common man by obtaining knowledge becomes a Buddha.
仏法とわら屋の雨、出てきけ (Buppō to waraya no amé, dété kiké) – One must go outside to hear Buddhist doctrine or the sound of rain on a straw roof.
仏になるも沙弥をへる (Hotoké ni naru mo shami wo heru) – Even to become a Buddha one must first become a novice.
地獄極楽は心にあり (Jigoku Gokuraku wa kokoro ni ari) – Hell and Heaven are in the hearts of men.
露の命 (Tsuyu no inochi) – Human life is like the dew of morning.
陰の形にしたがうごとし (kagé no katachi ni shitagau gotoshi) – Even as the shadow follows the shape.
この世は仮の宿 (Kono yo wa kari no yado) – This world is only a resting-place.
You can also check out the below sources for many others.

Sources:

http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/11/26/ten-great-buddhist-proverbs-by-lafcadio-hearn/ Thanks to Doug 陀愚 for his wonderful kanji.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/igj/igj12.htm
http://oaks.nvg.org/buddhist-proverbs.html

11 responses »

Wendell A. Brown on April 13, 2012 at 16:15 said:

Beautiful, thanks for sharing!

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Mira Jay on April 13, 2012 at 16:17 said:

My favorite is that of Hell&Heaven
It’s always deep in our core..

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zen and the art of borderline maintenance on April 13, 2012 at 16:44 said:

I like #7 the best. 🙂

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Millie Ho on April 13, 2012 at 20:45 said:

These rules are also helpful: http://zenhabits.net/12-essential-rules-to-live-more-like-a-zen-monk/

There is never too much zen.

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- fiercebuddhist on April 13, 2012 at 20:48 said:
  
  Thank you for sharing. I love the list. I plan to “Do less” 🙂
  
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  - Millie Ho on April 13, 2012 at 20:50 said:
    
    Great choice! Good luck 🙂
ecofinanalysis on April 14, 2012 at 00:20 said:

Thanks so much… it is so enlightening….

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Raven on April 15, 2012 at 16:47 said:

Yes, wonderful list … well, except #2 … what does it mean?

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- fiercebuddhist on April 15, 2012 at 17:26 said:
  
  If one becomes a monk they will shave their head. But if they still hold onto the things and actions before taking the vows they would be better to “shave the heart” and let go of the attachments instead.
  
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  - Raven on April 16, 2012 at 00:09 said:
    
    Thank you. I am such a literal being that some things just fly over my head.
thedawnerupts on April 16, 2012 at 21:43 said:

Thank you for providing these ideas for contemplation – they are great little modes of guidance just as they are, so I’m looking forward to exploring them even further.

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