120 Buddha Quotes On Enlightenment
Buddha’s teachings have wisdom that continues to inspire seekers of enlightenment. This article explores some of Buddha’s most profound quotes on the theme of enlightenment – the ultimate freedom from suffering that comes through true understanding of life’s impermanence and emptiness of self.
The quotes are organized into different categories to help the reader gain different perspectives on this deep philosophical concept. Some quotes highlight the necessity of making effort on the spiritual path in order to reach enlightenment. Others emphasize letting go of ego and attachments. Still other quotes offer practical guidance about cultivating mindfulness, compassion, and living with purpose.
Together, these 120 Buddha quotes act as signposts for those wishing to walk the noble eightfold path and reach nirvana – a state of perfect peace and happiness said to be the highest goal of Buddhist practice. By reflecting on the words of the enlightened one, may we gain insight into reducing our afflictions and realizing our full potential for good.
1. Finding Peace through Non-Attachment
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”- Gautama Buddha
“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Gautama Buddha
“You, yourself, must walk the path.” – Gautama Buddha
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Gautama Buddha
“The peace of the soul is disturbed by no tumult but within.” – Gautama Buddha
“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.” – Gautama Buddha
“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” – Gautama Buddha
“Non-attachment leads to non-violence, a virtuous and peaceful way of life.” – Gautama Buddha
“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?” – Gautama Buddha
“The peace of the soul is disturbed by no tumult but within.” – Gautama Buddha
“Let go of loss and attachment. Clear your mind of what was and what will be.” – Gautama Buddha
“Seeking nothing, the peaceful soul finds rest.” – Gautama Buddha
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Gautama Buddha
“You, yourself, must walk the path.” – Gautama Buddha
“There is nothing so disobedient as an undisciplined mind, and there is nothing so obedient as a disciplined mind.” – Gautama Buddha
“With our thoughts we make the world.” – Gautama Buddha
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” – Gautama Buddha
“Train the mind to let go of all that it grasps, to reject nothing but grasp at nothing.” – Gautama Buddha
“Non-attachment brings inner peace in good times and bad alike.” – Gautama Buddha
“Cease to dwell in the past, do not daydream about the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Gautama Buddha
2. Wisdom from letting go of Ego
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Buddha
“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha
“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” – Buddha
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” – Buddha
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Buddha
“Set your heart on doing good. Do it over and over again, and you will be filled with joy.” – Buddha
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.” – Buddha
“All conditioned things are impermanent – when one sees this with wisdom one turns away from suffering.” – Buddha
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha
“An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.” – Buddha
“What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.” – Buddha
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” – Buddha
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha
“With our thoughts we make the world.” – Buddha
“Like a well-tuned lyre which, struck, will sound in tune, even so, a calm mind, struck by words of wisdom, will ever resonant thereof.” – Buddha
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Buddha
“A jug fills drop by drop.” – Buddha
“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” – Buddha
“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, people cannot live without a spiritual life.” – Buddha
“Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good.” – Buddha
3. Leaving Suffering behind with Compassion
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha
“Discard what is useless. Be aware of the awareness.” – Buddha
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Buddha
“With our thoughts we make the world.” – Buddha
“Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.” – Buddha
“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” – Buddha
“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” – Buddha
“It is better to travel well than to arrive.” – Buddha
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is claimed that the spiritual precepts or miracles are still being performed or manifested by the teacher. Do not believe in anything yourself have gained by experience or intuition. Do not believe in inferences drawn from some extraneous thing you may have heard or something apparently touching inwardly. Do not believe anything on account of the authority or influence or scholarship of any teacher or school.” – Buddha
“The past has already gone, the future is not here yet. There’s only one moment for you to live.” – Buddha
“I am my own master; I walk my own path.” – Buddha
“With our thoughts we make the world.” – Buddha
“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha
“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.” – Buddha
“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?” – Buddha
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha
“To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.” – Buddha
“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so let us all be thankful.” – Buddha
“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha
4. The Path to Enlightenment Within
“Enlightenment is freedom to go where you want to go, do what you want to do, and be who you want to be.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.” – Buddha (Dhammapada)
“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.” – Buddha (The Dharmapada)
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“However many holy words you read, However many you speak, What good will they do you, If you do not act upon them?” – Buddha (Dhammapada)
“To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“However many solitary retreats one has accomplished, if one has no self-control and humility, one is not a contemplative, but an animal.” – Buddha (The Dhammapada)
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” – Buddha (The Dhammapada)
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“What we think, we become.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“The foot feels not what the sandal endures.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” – Buddha (Unknown Source)
“However many holy words you read, However many you speak, What good will they do you, If you do not act upon them?” – Buddha (Dhammapada)
“He who sees self in self, and self in others, and others in self, commits no evil.- Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta)
5. Overcoming Illusions of Self
“All too often we cling to a view of who we are that is really an illusion. True freedom lies in releasing attachment to any particular identity.” – Buddha
“Those who seek enlightenment should renounce their desires and let go of the illusion of self.” – Buddha
“The ego’s preoccupation with itself is an illusion which blocks true insight into the nature of reality.” – Buddha
“Correct meditation leads us beyond illusion, beyond views, beyond concepts and ideas of self.” – Buddha
“With enlightenment comes the understanding that there is no truly existing self to grasp onto or identify with.” – Buddha
“We all have within us the power to rise above illusion and see reality as it truly is – empty of any fixed notions of self.” – Buddha
“Overcome the illusion of a substantial self through wisdom and insight into emptiness, dependent origination and the three marks of existence.” – Buddha
“The notion of an independent, separate self is but an illusory construct of the thinking mind that must be transcended to achieve liberation.” – Buddha
“Enlightenment can be found by letting go of attachment to a false conception of self and apprehending instead the selfless nature of reality.” – Buddhist Proverb
“Release your grip on the illusion of a separate identity and experience the peace that comes from embracing your interconnectedness with all beings.” – Buddhist Wish
“Do not cling to fixed views of who or what you are, for that is the root of suffering born from illusion.” – Buddhist Saying
“With patience and mindfulness, one can rise above illusion and delusion, even the deepest held conviction of a separate enduring self.” – Buddha
“The false view of an independent self is like a mirage that distorts our perception of reality. Enlightenment sees through this deception.” – Buddhist Proverb
“True wisdom transcends the grasping at ‘me’ and ‘mine’ which is the basic illusion that perpetuates wanderings in samsara.” – Buddhist Proverb
“To achieve release from suffering, one must let go attachment to any notion of ‘I’ or ‘mine’ and awaken to the empty, selfless and interdependent nature of reality.” – Buddha
“Shed light on the nature of illusion through earnest inquiry so as to liberate oneself from attachment to false views of self.” – Buddhist Wish
“With clarity and insight, one can overcome the ingrained sense of a substantial self and realize unconditioned freedom.” – Buddha
“Meditate on dependent origination and emptiness to penetrate the illusory nature of the ego and realize one’s intrinsic Buddha nature.” – Buddhist Saying
“By transcending all subjective experiences and conceptions of self through meditative awareness, one awakens to ultimate reality.” – Buddha
“Release the self-grasping ignorance that breeds harmful desires and actions, and be freed from illusions that obscure our true nature.” – Buddhist Proverb
6. Beyond Concepts into Emptiness
“Through emptying the mind of thought, one realizes the oneness of all beings in the eternal present moment.” – unknown
“The path of wisdom is to let go of all ideas of how things ‘should’ be and reside in quiet stillness, only then will emptiness reveal itself.” – unknown
“To reach enlightenment, one must release all attachment to concepts and ego, for it is in emptiness where true understanding arises.” – unknown
“Only by ceasing judgment of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ will you see how all dualities arise from emptiness.” – unknown
“When you stop conceptual thinking and surrender to what simply ‘is,’ you will find the great void that is all around you.” – unknown
“True freedom lies not in ideas but in discovering the vast spaciousness of emptiness within.” – unknown
“As long as you hold on to views of ‘self’ and ‘other,’ you’ll remain lost in illusion. Let it all go to experience your original nature.” – unknown
“Unattached to labels, at one with the formless, this is the peace that comes with releasing into emptiness.” – unknown
“In stilling the endless chatter of thinking, we contact infinity through the portal of emptiness.” – unknown
“Ideas keep us trapped outside truth; when thought dissolves into silence, emptiness reveals all.” – unknown
“The great way is not difficult for those not attached to preferences. Let go of views to see through the veil of emptiness.” – unknown
“To enter nirvana is to realize the emptiness of all concepts yet abide calmly in Being itself.” – unknown
“Within emptiness lies wisdom, compassion, and liberation. But you must surrender the illusion of self to find it.” – unknown
“Through letting go of notions comes clarity; in relinquishing views lies enlightenment’s lightness.” – unknown
“True freedom arises when the finite mind merges in infinite emptiness, beyond all dualistic thinking.” – unknown
“Reside in silence and the still point beyond phenomena; there dwells the deathless within emptiness’ womb.” – unknown
“Drop all limits, transcend definitions, merge in the suchness of nullity’s clarity – this is liberation.” – unknown
“Cut attachments, still passions, cease mental noise and abide as emptiness personified; this is release.” – unknown
“Concepts obscure Reality; empty the mind to merge in Truth’s tranquility.” – unknown
“Release conditioned patterns and be free; dwell in emptiness to see reality as it is.” – unknown
Conclusion
In summary, the featured Buddha quotes offer profound insight and guidance for achieving inner peace and enlightenment. They point to the need for self-reflection, an open and inquisitive mindset, compassion for others, and living according to moral principles. Taken together, the teachings remind us that true happiness comes from within, not from external attachments, desires or fame. I encourage readers to meditate on these timeless words of wisdom as they embark on their own journey of spiritual growth and understanding. Reflect deeply on how you can incorporate Buddha’s universal lessons of non-attachment, mindfulness and goodwill into your daily life.
