Bodhichitta Kadampa Buddhist Center in Midland

If we discovered that we had inadvertently swallowed poison, we would naturally develop an urgent wish to get rid of it because we understand the harm that it will cause.

Yet the inner poison of anger harms us far more than any physical poison—its venom reaching even into our future lives—so our desire to eliminate it should be that much stronger!

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

If we discovered that we had inadvertently swallowed poison, we would naturally develop an urgent wish to get rid of it because we understand the harm that it will cause.

Yet the inner poison of anger harms us far more than any physical poison—its venom reaching even into our future lives—so our desire to eliminate it should be that much stronger!

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

It is often so painful to admit that we have faults that we make all manner of excuses rather than alter our exalted view of ourself.
One of the most common ways of not facing up to our faults is to blame others.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

It is often so painful to admit that we have faults that we make all manner of excuses rather than alter our exalted view of ourself.
One of the most common ways of not facing up to our faults is to blame others.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Until you attain stable realizations, worldly amusements are harmful, therefore abide in a place where there are no such distractions.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Until you attain stable realizations, worldly amusements are harmful, therefore abide in a place where there are no such distractions.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enable us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Meditation Handbook"

By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enable us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Meditation Handbook"

I should not discourage myself by thinking,
‘How shall I ever become enlightened?’
For the Tathagatas, who speak only the truth,
Have said that it can be so.

-Shantideva

I should not discourage myself by thinking,
‘How shall I ever become enlightened?’
For the Tathagatas, who speak only the truth,
Have said that it can be so.

-Shantideva

Therefore, in whatever I do,
I will never cause harm to others;
And whenever anyone encounters me,
May it never be meaningless for them.

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

Therefore, in whatever I do,
I will never cause harm to others;
And whenever anyone encounters me,
May it never be meaningless for them.

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

If we focus on the good qualities of others, our deluded pride will decrease and we will come to regard them as more important and precious than ourself.

As a result, our love and compassion will increase and we will naturally engage in virtuous actions.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyasto, "Eight Steps to Happiness"

If we focus on the good qualities of others, our deluded pride will decrease and we will come to regard them as more important and precious than ourself.

As a result, our love and compassion will increase and we will naturally engage in virtuous actions.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyasto, "Eight Steps to Happiness"

All beings other than Buddhas experience mistaken appearances all the time, day and night, even during sleep.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Meditation Handbook"

All beings other than Buddhas experience mistaken appearances all the time, day and night, even during sleep.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Meditation Handbook"

We generally believe that the things we perceive in dreams are unreal whereas the things we perceive when we are awake are true; but in reality everything we perceive is like a dream in that it is mere appearance to mind.

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

We generally believe that the things we perceive in dreams are unreal whereas the things we perceive when we are awake are true; but in reality everything we perceive is like a dream in that it is mere appearance to mind.

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

We should never give up our promise to seek refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha throughout our life.

Going for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha means that we apply effort to receiving Buddha’s blessings, to putting Dharma into practice and to receiving help from Sangha.

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

We should never give up our promise to seek refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha throughout our life.

Going for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha means that we apply effort to receiving Buddha’s blessings, to putting Dharma into practice and to receiving help from Sangha.

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

Realizing that worldly pleasures are deceptive, and that they distract us from using our life in a meaningful way, we should abandon attachment to them.

In this way, we can eliminate the main obstacle to pure Dharma practice.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Meditation Handbook"

Realizing that worldly pleasures are deceptive, and that they distract us from using our life in a meaningful way, we should abandon attachment to them.

In this way, we can eliminate the main obstacle to pure Dharma practice.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Meditation Handbook"

Our self-grasping ignorance is a mind that mistakenly believes that our self, our body and all the other things that we normally see actually exist.

Because of this ignorance we develop attachment to the things we like and anger at the things we do not like.

We then perform various kinds of non-virtuous action, and as a result of these actions we experience various kinds of suffering and problems in this life and in life after life.

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

Our self-grasping ignorance is a mind that mistakenly believes that our self, our body and all the other things that we normally see actually exist.

Because of this ignorance we develop attachment to the things we like and anger at the things we do not like.

We then perform various kinds of non-virtuous action, and as a result of these actions we experience various kinds of suffering and problems in this life and in life after life.

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

When I find myself assailed by a host of delusions,
I will oppose them in a thousand ways.
Like a lion among a group of foxes,
I will not allow myself to be harmed by delusions.

- Shantideva

When I find myself assailed by a host of delusions,
I will oppose them in a thousand ways.
Like a lion among a group of foxes,
I will not allow myself to be harmed by delusions.

- Shantideva

There are three levels of abandoning delusions.

The first is to recognize a particular delusion as it is about to arise, and remembering its disadvantages, to prevent it from manifesting.

As long as we keep a watch over our mind this is quite straightforward, and is something we should try to practice all the time, whatever we are doing.

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

There are three levels of abandoning delusions.

The first is to recognize a particular delusion as it is about to arise, and remembering its disadvantages, to prevent it from manifesting.

As long as we keep a watch over our mind this is quite straightforward, and is something we should try to practice all the time, whatever we are doing.

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

Every action we perform leaves an imprint on our very subtle mind, and each imprint eventually gives rise to its own effect.

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

Every action we perform leaves an imprint on our very subtle mind, and each imprint eventually gives rise to its own effect.

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

Where is there enough leather
To cover the surface of the Earth?
But just having leather on the soles of one's feet
Is the same as covering the whole Earth.

In the same way, it is not possible
To control all external events;
But, if I simply control my mind,
What need is there to control other things?

- Shantideva

Where is there enough leather
To cover the surface of the Earth?
But just having leather on the soles of one's feet
Is the same as covering the whole Earth.

In the same way, it is not possible
To control all external events;
But, if I simply control my mind,
What need is there to control other things?

- Shantideva

The ocean of joy that will arise
When all living beings are liberated
Is everything I wish for –
So why should I wish for my solitary liberation?

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

The ocean of joy that will arise
When all living beings are liberated
Is everything I wish for –
So why should I wish for my solitary liberation?

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

Awakening to a New Way of Life: Reflections on Post-pandemic Living

Certain events in life have the power to change us. The pandemic continues to be such an event. It has been a collective meditation on loss during which we have found ourselves asking life’s most profound questions:

“Who are we and who are we becoming?”

“How can we help others?”

“How do we transform suffering?”

“How do we find meaning in our lives?”

“How have we been transformed?”

“Will we revert or will we evolve?”

During this life-changing experience, some people have found unexpected resilience and courage. Some have found stillness. Some have found contentment in simplicity. Some have found a deeper compassion. For some, transformation was imposed by unwanted circumstances; for others, it was freely chosen. For many, an awakening has begun.

Where the experience of the pandemic takes us remains to be seen. We have an opportunity now to look at our lives anew. We invite you to join us for a day of reflection on life’s most meaningful questions and the ways in which we can create lasting change.

Visit our website for more information:
https://www.meditationintexas.org/courses-events/awakening

… The wealth of listening to Dharma can never cause problems. It can never be lost even when we offer it freely to others. The more we give away, the richer we become.

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

… The wealth of listening to Dharma can never cause problems. It can never be lost even when we offer it freely to others. The more we give away, the richer we become.

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

The heart of Dharma practice is 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.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Introduction to Buddhism"

The heart of Dharma practice is 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.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "Introduction to Buddhism"

Listening is a lamp that dispels the darkness of ignorance.

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

Listening is a lamp that dispels the darkness of ignorance.

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

The opponent to anger is patient acceptance, and if we are seriously interested in progressing along the spiritual path, there is no practice more important than this.

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

The opponent to anger is patient acceptance, and if we are seriously interested in progressing along the spiritual path, there is no practice more important than this.

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

Photos from Kadampa Meditation Center Texas's post

If we are able to recognize a negative train of thought before it develops into full-blown anger, it is not too hard to control.

If we can do this, there is no danger of our anger being “bottled up” and turning into resentment.

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

If we are able to recognize a negative train of thought before it develops into full-blown anger, it is not too hard to control.

If we can do this, there is no danger of our anger being “bottled up” and turning into resentment.

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

Both the smallest and the greatest sufferings arise from self-cherishing.

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

Both the smallest and the greatest sufferings arise from self-cherishing.

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

"Self" and "other" are relative terms, similar to "this mountain" and "that mountain".

By climbing down the mountain of self it is possible to ascend the mountain of other, and thereby cherish others as much as we now cherish ourself.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso,"Eight Steps to Happiness"

"Self" and "other" are relative terms, similar to "this mountain" and "that mountain".

By climbing down the mountain of self it is possible to ascend the mountain of other, and thereby cherish others as much as we now cherish ourself.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso,"Eight Steps to Happiness"

While riding the horse of virtuous actions
I will guide it into the path of liberation with the reins of renunciation;
And through urging this horse onward with the whip of effort,
I will quickly reach the Pure Land of liberation and enlightenment.

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

While riding the horse of virtuous actions
I will guide it into the path of liberation with the reins of renunciation;
And through urging this horse onward with the whip of effort,
I will quickly reach the Pure Land of liberation and enlightenment.

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

Self-grasping can be likened to a poisonous tree, all other delusions to its branches, and all our suffering and problems to its fruit; it is the fundamental source of all our other delusions and of all our suffering and problems.

Through this we can understand that if we abandon our self-grasping permanently, all our suffering and problems of this life and of countless future lives will cease permanently.

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

Self-grasping can be likened to a poisonous tree, all other delusions to its branches, and all our suffering and problems to its fruit; it is the fundamental source of all our other delusions and of all our suffering and problems.

Through this we can understand that if we abandon our self-grasping permanently, all our suffering and problems of this life and of countless future lives will cease permanently.

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

Friends, there is no happiness in this swamp of samsara, so move to the firm ground of liberation.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Friends, there is no happiness in this swamp of samsara, so move to the firm ground of liberation.

-Advice from Atisha's Heart

Buddhas are like the sun and our ignorance is like the clouds that obscure the sun.

When clouds disperse we see that in reality the sun has been shining all along, and in a similar way, when we remove the clouds of ignorance from our mind we will see that the Buddhas have always been present all around us.

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

Buddhas are like the sun and our ignorance is like the clouds that obscure the sun.

When clouds disperse we see that in reality the sun has been shining all along, and in a similar way, when we remove the clouds of ignorance from our mind we will see that the Buddhas have always been present all around us.

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

Affectionate love is a mind unmixed with desirous attachment that sees another person as pleasant, likeable, or beautiful. -

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The Eight Steps to Happiness"

Affectionate love is a mind unmixed with desirous attachment that sees another person as pleasant, likeable, or beautiful. -

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The Eight Steps to Happiness"

If we integrate Buddha’s teachings into our daily life, we will be able to solve all our inner problems and attain a truly peaceful mind.

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

If we integrate Buddha’s teachings into our daily life, we will be able to solve all our inner problems and attain a truly peaceful mind.

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

We should not allow a gulf to develop between our meditation and our daily life, because the success of our meditation depends on the purity of our conduct outside the meditation session.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Meditation Handbook"

We should not allow a gulf to develop between our meditation and our daily life, because the success of our meditation depends on the purity of our conduct outside the meditation session.

- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, "The New Meditation Handbook"