Akkineni Nagarjuna Quotes

All philosophies are mental fabrications. There has never been a single doctrine by which one could enter the true essence of things.

A person is not earth, not water, Not fire, not wind, not space, Not consciousness, and not all of them. What person is there other than these?

Someone who has acted carelessly, But later becomes careful and attentive, Is as beautiful as the bright moon emerging from the clouds.

The Buddha taught some people the teachings of duality that help them avoid sin and acquire spiritual merit. To others he taught non-duality, that some find profoundly frightening.

Because there are no phenomena which are not dependent arisings, there are no phenomena which are not void.

Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves.

So, to praise others for their virtues - Can but encourage one's own efforts

That which arises dependent on something is not in the least that thing, neither is it different from it. Therefore, it is neither permanent or nothing.

Ultimate serenity is the coming to rest of all ways of taking things, the repose of named things; no truth has been taught by a Buddha for anyone, anywhere.

There is pleasure when a sore is scratched, But to be without sores is more pleasurable still. Just so, there are pleasures in worldly desires, But to be without desires is more pleasurable still.

Great compassion penetrates into the marrow of the bone. It is the support of all living beings. Like the love of a parent for an only child, the tenderness of the Compassionate One is all-pervasive.

Just as the grammarian makes one study grammar, A Buddha teaches according to the tolerance of his students; Some he urges to refrain from sins, others to do good, Some to rely on dualism, other on non-dualism; And to some he teaches the profound, The terrifying, the practice of enlightenment, Whose essence is emptiness that is compassion

In peace there is profundity from which the highest respect arises from respect comes power and command therefore observe peace.

Although you may spend your life killing, You will not exhaust all your foes. But if you quell your own anger, your real enemy will be slain.

The logs of wood which move down the river together Are driven apart by every wave. Such inevitable parting Should not be the cause of misery.

My acts are irrevocable Because they have no essence... Where are the doers of deeds Absent among their conditions? Imagine a magician Who creates a creature Who creates other creatures. Acts I perform are creatures Who create others.

The misery which follows pleasure is the pleasure which follows misery. The pleasure and misery of mankind revolve like a wheel.

A highly learned man has two sources of happiness: either he abandons all earthly interests, or else he possesses much which could be abandoned.

Even offering three hundred bowls of food three times a day does not match the spiritual merit gained in one moment of love.

The teachings of elegant sayings Should be collected when one can. For the supreme gift of words of wisdom, Any price will be paid.

True knowledge is a virtue of the talented, but harmful to those without discernment. Spring water free of impurity, entering the ocean, becomes undrinkable.

He who does not attempt to make peace / When small discords arise, / Is like the bee's hive which leaks drops of honey / Soon, the whole hive collapses.

Without hope of reward Provide help to others. Bear suffering alone, And share your pleasures with beggars.

One who kill, own life will be shortened; One who harms, will be injured even more