Tibetan Buddhism Quotes and Inspiration

Ranked #1,798 in Culture & Society, #41,632 overall

Vajrayana Buddhism - the Buddhism of visualisation

Tibetan Buddhism has been called 'Vajrayana Buddhism', because it is part of the tantric Buddhist current, within Mayahana Buddhism.

The word Vajra can be explained as 'thunderbolt' or 'Diamond like'. It stands for the clear constancy of the mind of the enlightened meditator. Vajrayana is then the path of meditation, specifically visualization meditation. This doesn't mean all Tibetan Buddhists meditate, far from it. It does mean that the most respected of their spiritual leaders DO.

Quotes

Green Tara, Tibetan Buddhist GoddessTibetan Buddhism is probably best known for the Dalai Lama and his peaceful attitude in the face of Chinese violence and oppression. But there's more to Tibetan Buddhism than that. I've found you Tibetan Buddhist quotes on the essence of life, love and enlightenment.

Green Tara available at AllPosters.com

Milarepa quote on friendship

If one stays too long with friends
They will soon tire of him;
Living in such closeness leads to dislike and hate.
It is but human to expect and demand too much
When one dwells too long in companionship.
"The Song of the Snow Ranges", Milarepa
More Buddhism quotes on love and friendship

Om Manu Padme Hum


Om Manu Padme Hum Art Print
Schuck

Dalai Lama (7th) quote on illness and health

Whenever a physical illness arises, we usually multiply our suffering by worrying and by pressing mental anxiety on top of it. One should understand that the human body is a composite of elements and agents that constantly are struggling with one another. When these elements and agents fall into disharmony or when external factors such as the many types of evil powers are affected, the various diseases naturally arise with intensity and for long period of time. Therefore one might as well face up to the fact that during the course of one's life a certain amount of disease is inevitable.

From: 'Using Illness To Train The Mind', by the Seventh Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso

Dalai Lama quote on death and attachment

It is in the nature of cyclic existence that what has gathered will eventually disperse -- parents, children, brothers, sisters, and friends. No matter how much friends like each other , eventually they must separate. Gurus and students, parents and children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, and friends -- no matter who they are -- must eventually separate.

HH the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatzo

Dalai Lama quote on the path to enlightenment

Can impure body, speech, and mind be transformed into pure body, speech, and mind, or are they entirely separate? All Buddhas are cases of beings who were like ourselves and then in dependence on the path became enlightened; Buddhism does not assert that there is anyone who from the beginning is free from faults and possesses all good qualities. The development of pure body, speech, and mind comes from gradually leaving the impure states and their being transformed into the pure.

HH the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso on Om Mani Padme Hum

Love and Compassion


Love and Compassion Art Print

Sogyal Rinpoche quote on the nature of reality

The still revolutionary insight of Buddhism is that life and death are in the mind, and nowhere else. Mind is revealed as the universal basis of experience - the creator of happiness and the creator of suffering, the creator of what we call life and what we call death.

Sogyal Rinpoche in the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

Chogyam Trungpa on enlightenment

Anything that is created must sooner or later die.
Enlightenment is permanent because we have not produced it; we have merely discovered it.

Chogyam Trungpa

Thanka Painting, Tibet

Thanka Painting, Tibet Photographic Print
Koutsaftis, Vassi
Buy at AllPosters.com

Atisha Quotes

Atisha was a famous Tibetan Buddhist sage

"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearance."
powered by Youtube

Pema Chodron on Developing Compassion and Bodhicitta

Sometimes remembering our basic goodness takes a leap of faith. The trick is to connect with the soft spot that we already have. Sometimes it helps to find little ways that the seed of goodness manifests in our life. To find our ability to rejoice and to care, even when it's fleeting, strengthens our confidence. To see how we block our hearts and close our minds brings self-compassion and the longing not to do that anymore.

Pema Chodron quote from 'The Places that Scare You'

More Buddhism quotes

Chögyam Trungpa quotes on life
Questions and answers on compassion and fear: how compassion does not require maintenance...
Buddha quotes on karma , short uplifting spiritual quotes
These quotes are the closest we can get to the Buddha: they’re from the Tipitaka, the ancient Pali Buddhist scriptures. I’ve replaced the Pali ‘kamma’ with the more common Sanskrit ‘Karma’. The two words mean the same thing. Monks, these
Buddhist quotes about rebirth, reincarnation and karma , short uplifting spiritual quotes
Only the quality, that is the social surrounding, the physical appearance and the mental abilities of a person are fixed by the deeds of his previous existences, but in noway his actions. Karma in Buddhism, Hans Wolfgang Schuman If you
Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes on meditation
Thich Nhat Hanh quotes on peace, a smile, suffering and happiness
Pema Chodron Books, Tibetan Buddhism Quotes
Pema Chodron Books, Calendars, Quotes and Tibetan Buddhism information on Pema Chodron

What's your favorite Tibetan Buddhist quote?

submit

Prayer Wheels

Detail of Prayer Wheels with Tibetan Pali Script, Kagbeni, Nepal


One of the most famous aspects of Tibetan Buddhism is the prayer wheels. These are turned by the faithful in the conviction that the prayer will go up in the air and help humanity gain enlightenment.

Books about Tibetan Buddhism

Loading

Devotion - an alive aspect of Tibetan Buddhism

Buddhist Pilgrims Outside Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet


Tibetan Buddhists believe ritually walking around a a mountain, a temple or a monastery, will help cleanse them spiritually. This circumambulating is often done while prostrating at every step - as shown in this picture. If you remember the Tibetan Climate and height - you will realize that this is no small feat.

Types of Tibetan Buddhism

There are 4 or 5 main schools of Tibetan Buddhism (depending on who you ask).

The Nyingma Tradition

The Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism traces its origin to the Indian adept, Guru Padmasambhava, who came to Tibet in 817 C.E. at the invitation of King Trisong Deutsan (742-797) in order to subdue the evil forces then impeding the spread of Buddhism. Guru Rinpochey, as he is popularly known, bound all evil spirits by oath and transformed them into forces compatible with the spread of Buddhism. In collaboration with the great Bodhisattva Abbot Shantarakshita, Guru Rinpochey then built Samyey monastery, which became a principal centre of learning and the site where many of the texts that would make up Tibet's vast Buddhist literature were first translated into Tibetan.

More about the Nyingma lineage

The Sakya Tradition

The Sakya tradition is closely bound up with the Khon ancestral lineage, which derived from celestial beings. The lineage has descended intact up to the present time from Khon Könchok Gyelpo(1034-l 102), founder of the Sakya tradition through hereditary lama's.

More about the Sakhya lineage

Gelugpa tradition

Drepung Monastery The Kadampa tradition founded by Atisha was the direct source of inspiration for the development of the Gelug tradition founded by Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419).

More about the Gelugpa lineage

Kagyu tradition

The Kagyu lineage, sometimes referred to as the "oral lineage" of Tibet, originated with the great yogi Tilopa, who lived in Northern India around the 10th century A.D. He is considered the founder of the lineage and, in addition, he received four special transmissions (Tib: bka-babs-bzhi) for which he became the lineage holder.

more about the history of the Kagyu lineage

The schools of Tibetan Buddhism in a historical line up

The leader of Tibetan Buddhism: the Dalai Lama

Loading

The Bodhisattva Vow

In all forms of Mahayana Buddhism, including Vajrayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Vow plays an enormously important part. The idea of staving off salvation (Nirvana) till all sentient beings have been saved is inspiring after all.
Loading

Pema Chodron: the most popular female Buddhist Teacher

And she's a Tibetan Buddhist (though not a Tibetan)

Loading

Mandalas and other Tibetan Buddhist art

Tibetan Buddha Statues

Loading

What do you think of Tibetan Buddhism?

submit

More Tibetan Buddhism Links

Sunyata, Void, Emptiness - Buddhist philosophy
Articles on Sunyata. The terms Sunyata (or Shunyata), void and emptiness are synonyms in Buddhist philosophy. They are ways of expressing the sense that all we see, feel and observe is relative, in fact non-essential and not self-sustaining.
A Survey of the Paths of Tibetan Buddhism - the Dalai Lama
The Four Seals His Holiness the Dalai Lama The four seals mentioned above have profound implications for a Buddhist practitioner. The first seal states that all compounded phenomena areimpermanent. The ques
General Aspects of Tibetan Buddhism [Buddha's World]
Object of being a monk: Bettering ones own spirit Becoming a master of yourself Five objects
The Blavatsky/Tibet and Stanzas of Dzyan Connection - Theosophical History
alchemical Tantric tradition (bhutas-suddha) that is shared as the tantric
core of Bon (a Central Asian religion from Persian sources tha
Sogyal Rinpoche on the fear of Death and dying
Report in the Boston Globe on Sogyal Rinpoche's ideas on how facing death changes life.
Atisha's Pith Sayings - Buddha's world
Essential Tibetan Buddhism, compiled and translated by Robert Thurman, Castle Books, p.99, online edition 2005 Atisha's Pith Saying WhenAtisha arrived in Tibet, his three disciples, Ku, Ngog, and Brom, askedhim, "To attain the high state of liberation and omniscience, which isthe more important to
Best Books by Alexandra David-Neel
Best known for her visit to Tibet, when it was closed to foreigners, Alexandra David-Neels books are travel journals mixed with spiritual insight. She helped foster the image of Tibet as a sacred place, while also making it clear that it was a real land with real people.
Buddhist Goddesses Art by Romio Shrestha
Romio Shrestha portrays the main Tibetan Buddhist Goddesses (and a few Hindu ones) in dazzling colors that are meditative at the same time. It's a feast on the eyes well combined with explanations.
Bodhisattva - living for others in Buddhism
The bodhisattva ideal is embodied in the bodhisattva vow: May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.

More Buddhism

gifts
Best most popular Buddhism Books

These books explain Buddhism for a modern Western audience. They generally focus on the practical aspects of Buddhism: how to live your life well and meditation. When...


spirituality
Mandala Meditation Posters

An art form developed in India and Tibet, mandalas have come to be seen as symbols of inner peace and balance. These mandala posters are sometimes based on traditional...


Buddhism
Best Dalai Lama Books List

The Dalai Lama is that unique mix of a spiritual teacher and a political leader. Unlike the Pope he is virtually uncontested as a spiritual inspiration. His...


buddhism
Best Buddhism Birthday Presents and Christmas Gifts

Looking for a top gift for your Buddhist friends and family? You don't have to look any further. I've found you artwork, calendars and books that will...


Buddhism
Best books on Buddhism

If you are into a specific type of Buddhism - don't think you already know what 'Buddhism' is. Buddhism comes in a variety of forms and they disagree on issues...


mindfulness
Best Mindfulness Meditation Books

Because modern life is so very busy, so full of sensory impressions from the internet, tv, music, traffic etc. many people need to be reminded of something most...


Buddhism
Buddhism: practice, religious views and beliefs

Buddhism is one of the most inspiring world philosophies. On this lens you will find information on the Buddhist path, various Buddhist traditions like Zen and...


dalai lama
Best Dalai Lama Quotes Posters

I've found you Dalai Lama Posters featuring him and an inspiring quote, as well as simply great picture of him that you can get framed. The Dalai Lama is probably...


zen buddhism
Best Zen Buddhism Books

Zen Buddhism is perhaps one of the least understood forms of Buddhism, precisely because it's so well known. On the other hand - perhaps it's the type...


thich nhat hanh
Best Thich Nhat Hanh Mindfulness Books

Anybody interested in Buddhism today knows about Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. His lectures, books and videos are wildly popular because he manages...


buddhism
Best Books about karma and reincarnation

Learn about karma and reincarnation from the perspective of Buddhism, Theosophy and Hinduism. But also based on the science of past life memories of children...


religious jewelry
Tibetan Buddhist Jewelry for women and men

The colors and shapes of Tibetan Buddhism are unique. This has a lot to do with the letters: spiky forms derived from devanagari (the letters most used to ...


spirituality
How to make a mandala

Mandala's are an inspiring spiritual art form. You can get your kids involved with spiritual art in all kinds of ways - from simply coloring preprinted ...


buddha
Buddha Figures, busts and Buddhist statues

Buddha figures are everywhere. Buddha heads have become a fashion statement. Buddha statues, really just the next way to show off your spiritual inclination....


buddhism
The 14th Dalai Lama: Tibetan leader in exile

Nobel Peace Prize Winner, popularizer of Buddhism and head of the Tibetan Government in Exile. The Dalai Lama's life is a unique convergence of religion, politics...


Spirituality
What is an Ashram? Spiritual Retreat Centres!

What is an ashram? Why go on a spiritual retreat? This lens explains the way of life on an ashram and has links to ashrams and pictures of ashrams. An ashram...


om
Aum, the sacred Indian mantra ; Om, Ohm - meditating unity

Who doesn't know the Indian mantra 'aum' - and use it when they want to make fun of new age spirituality? Aum is actually a sacred mantra for all Indian religions...


buddhism
Thich Nhat Hanh quotes: Peace and Zen Buddhism

Monk and Vietnamese peace activist turned Zen Meditation teacher. Thich Nhat Hanh is an Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk. He is a teacher, author, and peace activist,...


Pema Chodron
Best Pema Chodron Buddhism Books

Buddhism is becoming more popular every day. Pema Chodron's books have a lot to do with that: they offer practical advice on how to deal with the troubles a...


christmas decorations
Zen Decorations for Christmas

Zen originates from Chinese Chan, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit word Dhyan (meditation or meditative state). Our lives and the Universe, if we look...


Best books about Buddhism
Contemplating Buddhism in the West

Others on Tibetan Buddhism

Eclectic Offerings at the Tibet House Benefit Concert
Though he's now an Atheist, Mr. Merritt was raised Tibetan Buddhist and grew up often surrounded by Tibetans. Tibetan singer Dechen Shak-Dagsay led the audience in a meditation, and then sang the title track of her album, ?Jewel,? a Tibetan mantra.
Buddhist bounty
This time around, ?Treasures of Buddhism,? which has been to nearly 40 cities and been seen by 65000 museum-goers since it was last on show in the city, is a key event of the Days of Tibetan Culture in St. Petersburg festival, which run through March ...
Tibetan Nun Dies From Self-Immolation in China
February 12, 2012 Tibetan Nun Dies From Self-Immolation in China VOA News An 18-year-old Tibetan Buddhist nun set herself on fire late Saturday in China's troubled southwestern Sichuan province, and later died of her injuries.
Important!

Thanks for all your support!

A big thank you to all of you who've supported my online work by:

by

spirituality

I'm a webmaster and student of religion and spirituality. See my website on religion and spirituality: www.katinkahesselink.net or my spiritual blog: All... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!