Adages of Wisdom Quotes by Master Sheng Yen

The deeper our compassion, the greater our wisdom and the fewer our vexations.

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Simply deal with matters with wisdom and treat people with compassion, without worrying about personal gain or loss. Then we'll never be plagued by vexations.

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To let the circumstances dictate one's state of mind is human; to let the mind dictate the circumstances is sage.

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A big duck cuts a big wake; a small duck cuts a small wake. Big or small, each duck will paddle its own way to the other shore—but only if it paddles.

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If the mountain won't move, build a road around it. If the road won't turn, change your path. If you are unable to even change your path, just transform your mind.

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Diligence doesn't mean stretching beyond our limits. It means displaying unremitting persistence.

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Adages of Wisdom Quotes by Master Sheng Yen

Stay at ease under all circumstances, and give whenever conditions allow.

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The tripartite formula for success is: go with the causes and conditions, seize them as they come, and create them when
they don't.

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Grasp opportune conditions when they come, create them when there are none, and ere conditions ripen, never force a thing to be done.

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All the ups and downs of life are nourishing experiences for our growth.

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Deal with matters with wisdom, and care for people with compassion.

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Rectify deviations with wisdom; accommodate others with compassion.

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Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

When conflict and adversity arise,
always preserve a spacious heart.

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Let go of all worries, only then will you appreciate
the happiness of a compassionate heart.

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Nothing is impossible with confidence, perservance, and courage.

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Only those who respect themselves have the courage to be humble.

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The greater our generosity, the greater our blessings.

Adages of Wisdom Quotes by Master Sheng Yen

Be busy but happy, and tired but joyful.

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It's fine to be busy: just don't let it get on your nerves.

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To take on tough tasks, one must prepare to tough out complaints, and to be in charge is to be in for criticism. Yet complaints help foster compassion and patience, and criticism often holds golden advice.

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Don't measure success and gain by wealth and rank: to benefit ourselves and others as best we can is all that matters.

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Work swiftly, but don't tense up; relax your body and mind and never tighten up.

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Work swiftly in an orderly fashion; never compete with time in a nervous flurry.

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Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Remain soft-spoken and forgiving,
even when reason is on your side.

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Enduring verbal abuse is also a kind of spiritual practice.

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The most simple and ordinary life brings the most inner peace.

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Do not close the door to our heart. By loving others we too will be loved.

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A confused mind suffers agony; an enlightened mind feels at ease.

Adages of Wisdom Quotes by Master Sheng Yen

A solid step forward speaks louder than a hundred empty, fair words.

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The more weaknesses you discover in yourself, the faster you will develop, and the more self-confident you will be.

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Keep your ears and eyes wide open, but mouth tight shut; be quick with your hands and legs, but slow to spend.

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Only after encounters with hardships will one be roused to vigorous diligence.

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Be a down-to-earth person with a broad mind; be a sure hand with piercing foresight.

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Be busy without being disorganized, and weary without being dispirited.

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Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

True meditation is to calm the restless mind in everyday living.

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With an equanimous mind,
reflect on the appearances
and voice
of all living beings.

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If we are easily distracted
and do not pay
full attention
to the task at hand,
it will be difficult to
accomplish anything.

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Sow the field of heart with good seeds.
One more seed of goodness means one fewer weed.

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People always seek “to have”, but “to have” is actually to have misery.

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity,
he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.


If a child lives with jealousy,
he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise,
he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition,
he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing,
he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness,
he learns what truth and justice are.

If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.

If a child lives with friendliness,
he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If you live with serenity,
your child will live with peace of mind.

With what is your child living?

by Dorothy Law Nolte

Adages of Wisdom by Master Sheng Yen

Pursue only what you can and should acquire. Never pursue what you can't and shouldn't acquire.

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Gratitude can make us grow, and the resolve to return favors can help us succeed.

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Feel thankful for the chances to hone ourselves: both good and ill fortune are our benefactors.

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When good things happen, we should rejoice in, praise, encourage, and then learn from them in modesty.

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To criticize less and praise more is a good way to avoid creating negative karma of speech.

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An ordinary mind is a mind of utmost freedom and unsurpassed joy.

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Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

If we are not
attached to outcomes
then we will not
suffer from the pain
of fallen expectations.

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Only by undergoing
the trials and challenges
of human affairs
do we become
strong and resilient.

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To a beautiful heart,
Everything appears beautiful.

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Taking a step back
to accommodate others
refines our character
and nurtures
spiritual growth

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It is better to speak less, and best to speak kindly.

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Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Learn to be agreeable,
learn to be humble,
but don’t learn to
resolve matters
with your fists.
In showing gratitude,
we become
a more beautiful person.

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The more we give,
the more we accomplish.

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It is more of a blessing
to serve others than to be served.

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Melt away all barriers and obstacles with love.
With love in our heart, there is nothing we cannot overcome.

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Adages of Wisdom Quotes by Master Sheng Yen

Try to cultivate this attitude in life: if I can have what I want, that's good; if I can't, that's fine too. This will help us turn our suffering into joy, and live a happier life.

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To uplift our character, begin with cultivating peace in mind, body, family, and activity.

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In dealing with your heart's desire, ask yourself these questions: Do I need it, or do I want it? Can I acquire it? Should I acquire it?

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To get along with others, we must feel grateful for events that help us grow, feel thankful for chances to hone ourselves, reform ourselves through the Dharma, and inspire others through exemplary behavior.

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When faced with any difficulty of life, resolve it by following these four steps: face it, accept it, deal with it, and then let it go.

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To increase our blessings we need to recognize blessings, cherish blessings, nurture blessings, and sow the seeds of blessings.

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Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Let our state of mind
always remain positive
no matter what we hear.

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Nothing is impossible
if you believe it is achievable.

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Believe in yourself, but do not be attached
to your own point of view.

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In the face of adversity, be grateful,
For such opportunities do not come by easily.

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The process of spiritual cultivation is to nurture virtue
and rectify conduct and behavior.

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Adages of Wisdom Quotes by Master Sheng Yen

For those who can take things on and let them go in peace,
every year is an auspicious year.
For those who can sow with wisdom the seeds of blessings,
every day is a good day.

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To take on anything, one must first be able to let go.
One is truly free who can take on and let go of anything in peace.

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Know yourself and others, and the ways of the world,
so as to have a peaceful body and mind.
Recognize, cherish, and nurture your blessings, and
seize every chance to be of service.

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Maintain a relaxed body and mind, and meet and greet with a smile.
Relaxation enhances physical and mental health, and
a smiling face promotes friendship.

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Cultivate a big heart, but a small ego

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Before you open your mouth to speak,
think twice and chew your words carefully.
The point is not to hold your peace,
but to speak with discretion and prudence.

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Adages of Wisdom Quotes by Master Sheng Yen

Our needs are few;
our wants are many.

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To be grateful and repay kindness - this is first;
to benefit others is to benefit ourselves.

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Devote wholehearted effort without
calculating who does or gains more.

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Kindness and compassion have no enemies;
wisdom engenders no vexations.

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The busy make the most of time;
the diligent enjoy the best of health.

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Those who give selflessly are blessed;
those who do good deeds are happy.

Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Those who make
good use of time
will be able to
steer themselves
in the direction they
should go.

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Be grateful when people
try to hold you back,
for without them,
you would not develop
the strength
that enables you
to move forward.

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Practice mindfulness in your daily life.
A mind free of wandering thoughts develops inner strength.

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Be forgiving towards others, be discreet in your speech.

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Life becomes meaningful when we shoulder responsibilities.
Avoiding responsibilities makes our life empty.

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Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Getting angry is actually to punish yourself
With other people’s mistakes.

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Giving will reap the greatest harvest.

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Do not underestimate yourself,
Everyone has unlimited potential.

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Let go of all attachment, only then will you receive.

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Those who sow the seeds of
blessings shall harvest plentiful blessings.

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Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Because seeing virtue in others is in itself a virtue,
In appreciating others, we in fact dignify ourselves.

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Every single day is like a blank page of our life.
Every person we meet, every event we participate in is a lively essay.

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We need to overcome difficulties,
not be overcome by them.

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Every achievement grows out of the seed of determination.

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Use wisdom to contemplate the meaning of life.
Use resolve to otganize the time you are given.

Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

The hardest thing
for people to see
is themselves.

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Tranquility is beauty.
Equanimity is joy.

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When we are irritated by others, it is actually because
we are still lacking in graciousness.

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When doing something, instead of worrying
or being vexed about it, we should just be mindful.

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A frown and a smile are both possible,
Why not smile ?

Jing Si Aphorism - Inspirational Wisdom Quotes by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Having no inclination
to think in a negative way,
all that we hear will be helpful and
constructive to us

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Weeds do not easily grow
in a field
planted with vegetables.
Evil dos not easily arise
in a heart
filled with goodness.

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How can we
expect to accomplish
the big things
if we don’t do
the little things?

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Stopping halfway is,
in truth,
more difficult and tiring
than persevering
on the path toward
the final goal.

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To forgive others is in fact being kind to ourselves.