Bodhichitta Kadampa Buddhist Center in Midland

We may not be a well-known or powerful figure, but if we sincerely cherish everyone we meet we can make a profound contribution to our community. - Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

We may not be a well-known or powerful figure, but if we sincerely cherish everyone we meet we can make a profound contribution to our community. - Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

If you talk too much with little meaning, you will make mistakes, therefore speak in moderation, only when necessary.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

If you talk too much with little meaning, you will make mistakes, therefore speak in moderation, only when necessary.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

If the things you desire do not come, it is due to karma created long ago, therefore keep a happy and relaxed mind.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

If the things you desire do not come, it is due to karma created long ago, therefore keep a happy and relaxed mind.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Whenever we meditate, we are performing an action that will cause us to experience inner peace in the future.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Whenever we meditate, we are performing an action that will cause us to experience inner peace in the future.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The law of karma is a special instance of the law of cause and effect, according to which all our actions of body, speech and mind are causes and all our experiences are their effects.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Transform Your Life"

The law of karma is a special instance of the law of cause and effect, according to which all our actions of body, speech and mind are causes and all our experiences are their effects.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Transform Your Life"

There is a saying in Tibetan that when death comes the king who sits on a golden throne and the poor man who goes begging from town to town are both equal.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

There is a saying in Tibetan that when death comes the king who sits on a golden throne and the poor man who goes begging from town to town are both equal.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

If we first establish peace within our minds by training in spiritual paths, outer peace will come naturally; but if we do not, world peace will never be achieved, no matter how many people campaign for it.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Introduction to Buddhism"

If we first establish peace within our minds by training in spiritual paths, outer peace will come naturally; but if we do not, world peace will never be achieved, no matter how many people campaign for it.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Introduction to Buddhism"

Meditate according to the advice of your Spiritual Guide and dry up the river of samsaric suffering.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Meditate according to the advice of your Spiritual Guide and dry up the river of samsaric suffering.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Whenever we see anyone in a high or low position, male or female, they differ only in appearance, dress, behavior and status.

In essence they are all equal—they all experience problems in their lives.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Transform Your Life"

Whenever we see anyone in a high or low position, male or female, they differ only in appearance, dress, behavior and status.

In essence they are all equal—they all experience problems in their lives.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Transform Your Life"

Do not contemplate your own good qualities, but contemplate the good qualities of others, and respect everyone as a servant would.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Do not contemplate your own good qualities, but contemplate the good qualities of others, and respect everyone as a servant would.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION
The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful.
If our mind is peaceful we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness. But if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions.

-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “The New Meditation Handbook”

THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION
The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful.
If our mind is peaceful we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness. But if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions.

-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “The New Meditation Handbook”

The moon and the stars may fall to the earth, the earth with all its mountains and dwelling places may disappear and space itself may disappear, but it is impossible for Buddha to tell a lie.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

The moon and the stars may fall to the earth, the earth with all its mountains and dwelling places may disappear and space itself may disappear, but it is impossible for Buddha to tell a lie.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

Nothing is more important than to remove ignorance, which is the main cause of all our suffering and the root from which all other delusions arise.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

Nothing is more important than to remove ignorance, which is the main cause of all our suffering and the root from which all other delusions arise.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

No one actually wants to suffer - living beings create the causes of suffering because they are controlled by their delusions. We should therefore feel equal compassion for all living beings.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

No one actually wants to suffer - living beings create the causes of suffering because they are controlled by their delusions. We should therefore feel equal compassion for all living beings.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

A Buddha’s compassion for each living being is like a mother’s compassion for her only child.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

A Buddha’s compassion for each living being is like a mother’s compassion for her only child.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

If we cherish everyone we meet or think about, there will be no basis for developing jealousy, anger or other harmful thoughts, and our mind will be at peace all the time.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “How to Transform Your Life”

If we cherish everyone we meet or think about, there will be no basis for developing jealousy, anger or other harmful thoughts, and our mind will be at peace all the time.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “How to Transform Your Life”

We need to practice consideration whenever we are with other people by being mindful of how our behavior might disturb or harm them.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “How to Transform Your Life”

We need to practice consideration whenever we are with other people by being mindful of how our behavior might disturb or harm them.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “How to Transform Your Life”

THE FAULTS OF ANGER

Anger weaves an elaborate fantasy, exaggerating the unpleasantness of the situation, and providing rationalizations and justifications for the sense of disappointment, outrage and resentment.

It leads us to say and do harmful things, thereby causing offense to others and transforming a small difficulty into a great problem.

-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

THE FAULTS OF ANGER

Anger weaves an elaborate fantasy, exaggerating the unpleasantness of the situation, and providing rationalizations and justifications for the sense of disappointment, outrage and resentment.

It leads us to say and do harmful things, thereby causing offense to others and transforming a small difficulty into a great problem.

-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

By offering flowers, we create the cause to have a pleasant appearance in future lives and to see everything around us in a pleasant aspect.

If we could see everything and everyone as beautiful we would not develop anger or jealousy but would feel affectionate love for all living beings.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Great Treasury of Merit"

By offering flowers, we create the cause to have a pleasant appearance in future lives and to see everything around us in a pleasant aspect.

If we could see everything and everyone as beautiful we would not develop anger or jealousy but would feel affectionate love for all living beings.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Great Treasury of Merit"

The great Yogi Saraha said, ‘If your mind is released permanently from self-grasping, there is no doubt that you will be released permanently from suffering.’

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Heart of Wisdom"

The great Yogi Saraha said, ‘If your mind is released permanently from self-grasping, there is no doubt that you will be released permanently from suffering.’

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Heart of Wisdom"

If we can rejoice equally in the virtuous actions, happiness and prosperity of all beings, we will overcome jealousy and hatred, and we will easily attain the realizations of compassion and love.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

If we can rejoice equally in the virtuous actions, happiness and prosperity of all beings, we will overcome jealousy and hatred, and we will easily attain the realizations of compassion and love.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Joyful Path of Good Fortune"

The quality of life depends not on external development or material progress, but on the inner development of peace and happiness.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Introduction to Buddhism"

The quality of life depends not on external development or material progress, but on the inner development of peace and happiness.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Introduction to Buddhism"

When we understand clearly that inner peace is the real source of happiness, and how, through spiritual practice, we can experience progressively deeper levels in inner peace, we will develop tremendous enthusiasm to practice.

-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

When we understand clearly that inner peace is the real source of happiness, and how, through spiritual practice, we can experience progressively deeper levels in inner peace, we will develop tremendous enthusiasm to practice.

-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

While we are sitting on our meditation cushion our mind may be miles away, wandering through distant cities or visiting our family and friends.

Just as a potter needs two hands to shape his wares, so do we need mindfulness and alertness if we are to meditate properly and gain realizations along the spiritual path.

-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Meaningful to Behold"

While we are sitting on our meditation cushion our mind may be miles away, wandering through distant cities or visiting our family and friends.

Just as a potter needs two hands to shape his wares, so do we need mindfulness and alertness if we are to meditate properly and gain realizations along the spiritual path.

-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Meaningful to Behold"

We do not need to blame ourself for the many delusions we have inherited from our previous life, but if we wish for our future self to enjoy peace and happiness it is our responsibility to remove these delusions from our mind.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “How to Transform Your Life”

We do not need to blame ourself for the many delusions we have inherited from our previous life, but if we wish for our future self to enjoy peace and happiness it is our responsibility to remove these delusions from our mind.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “How to Transform Your Life”

‘Why do I need to be concerned for my future lives?’

We need to be concerned for our future lives because the happiness and freedom of our future lives are more important than those of this life.
Our present life is just one single life. If we died today it would end today, but our future lives are countless and endless.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso," The Mirror of Dharma with Additions"

‘Why do I need to be concerned for my future lives?’

We need to be concerned for our future lives because the happiness and freedom of our future lives are more important than those of this life.
Our present life is just one single life. If we died today it would end today, but our future lives are countless and endless.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso," The Mirror of Dharma with Additions"

The habit of blaming our troubles and suffering on others – on the so-called enemy – is a deluded way of thinking, one that fails to realize that it is our own state of mind and not any external circumstance that is ultimately responsible for whatever misery we experience.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Meaningful to Behold"

The habit of blaming our troubles and suffering on others – on the so-called enemy – is a deluded way of thinking, one that fails to realize that it is our own state of mind and not any external circumstance that is ultimately responsible for whatever misery we experience.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Meaningful to Behold"

In reality, most of our emotional problems are nothing more than a failure to accept things as they are — in which case it is patient acceptance, rather than attempting to change externals, that is the solution.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Solve Our Human Problems"

In reality, most of our emotional problems are nothing more than a failure to accept things as they are — in which case it is patient acceptance, rather than attempting to change externals, that is the solution.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Solve Our Human Problems"

Through performing virtuous actions with a pure intention,
We shall be sustained by a happiness
that results from that merit,
Whenever we are reborn.

-Shantideva, "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life"

Through performing virtuous actions with a pure intention,
We shall be sustained by a happiness
that results from that merit,
Whenever we are reborn.

-Shantideva, "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life"

Our instinctive view is that we are more important than everyone else, while the view of all enlightened beings is that it is others who are more important.

Which of these views is more beneficial?

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “Eight Steps to Happiness”

Our instinctive view is that we are more important than everyone else, while the view of all enlightened beings is that it is others who are more important.

Which of these views is more beneficial?

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, “Eight Steps to Happiness”

The main reason why we do not cherish all living beings is that we are so preoccupied with ourself, and this leaves very little room in our mind to appreciate others.

If we wish to cherish others sincerely we have to reduce our obsessive self-concern.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Eight Steps to Happiness"

The main reason why we do not cherish all living beings is that we are so preoccupied with ourself, and this leaves very little room in our mind to appreciate others.

If we wish to cherish others sincerely we have to reduce our obsessive self-concern.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Eight Steps to Happiness"

Since you cannot become a Buddha merely by understanding Dharma, practice earnestly with understanding.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Since you cannot become a Buddha merely by understanding Dharma, practice earnestly with understanding.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Dharma is like a boat that can carry us across the ocean of samsara, Buddha is like the skillful navigator of the boat, and Sangha are like the crew.
Remembering this, we should go for refuge again and again to the three jewels.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Introduction to Buddhism"

Dharma is like a boat that can carry us across the ocean of samsara, Buddha is like the skillful navigator of the boat, and Sangha are like the crew.
Remembering this, we should go for refuge again and again to the three jewels.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Introduction to Buddhism"

The mind that cherishes others is the supreme good heart. Keeping such a good heart will bring only happiness for ourself and all those around us.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Transform Your Life"

The mind that cherishes others is the supreme good heart. Keeping such a good heart will bring only happiness for ourself and all those around us.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Transform Your Life"

For as long as we are in samsara, we cannot avoid unpleasant, difficult situations and a certain amount of physical discomfort, but by training our mind to look at frustrating situations in a more realistic manner, we can free ourself from a lot of unnecessary mental suffering.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Solve Our Human Problems"

For as long as we are in samsara, we cannot avoid unpleasant, difficult situations and a certain amount of physical discomfort, but by training our mind to look at frustrating situations in a more realistic manner, we can free ourself from a lot of unnecessary mental suffering.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "How to Solve Our Human Problems"