Two kinds of fools

Those who abuse their intellect are called intellectual fools and those who develop emotional kindness without reasoning are called kind-hearted fools.

Buddha also says that there are two kinds of fools: those who undertake unnecessary burdens and those who do not undertake necessary responsibilities.

Learning and thought must work together

Learning without thought is naught;
thought without learning is dangerous.
~Confucius~

Food for the thinking mind, p. 52-3.

The definition of man

* Chinese philosophy:
man means 'human heartiness'.

* Greek philosophy:
one who can use reasoning.

* Indian philosophy:
one who has a perfected soul.

* Buddhism:
one who excels all other beings in terms of mind and its development.

Who is a great man?

A great man shows his greatness
by the way that he treats
his poor fellow beings with compassion.

Dhammananda, K. S., "Food for the Thinking Mind," Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, 1999, P. 232.


Who is regarded as a real man?

* A man without the feeling of mercy is not a man.

* A man without the feeling of deference and politenessis not a man.

* A man without feeling shame and dislike is not a man.

* A man without feeling right and wrong is not a man.

~ Mencius ~

Man can become god

Buddhism upholds the view that man is an intelligent being. He surpasses even the devas (gods) in wisdom and strength.

The Bodhisatva left heaven and descended to this world in order to attain his enlightenment.

Gods do not have the ability to purify and develop their minds to attain enlightenment. Only man can gain such a status.

Where is the fate of a man?

The fate of a man is decided not by the whims of a supernatural being, but by his thoughts, words and deeds.

Dhammananda, K. S., "Food for the Thinking Mind," Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, 1999, P. 233 - 4.

We are a reflection of our thoughts and actions

The world is like a mirror
If we look at it with a smiling face,
We see the face smiling back at us
But if we look at it with a face of anger,
We will see an ugly face reflected back.
In the same way, if we act with kindness and compassion,
We will reap the same good qualities.

Dhammananda, K. S., "Food for the Thinking Mind," Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, 1999, P.397.

Happy is he who makes others happy

* Happy is hewho makes others happy

* Happy is he who has lofty and noble aspirations

* Happy is he who enriches the lives of others

* Happy i he who allows others to live in peace

* Happy is he who makes this world a better place to live in.

* Happy is he whose work, chores and daily tasks are labours of love.

* Happy is he who loves love.

Dhammananda, K. S., "Food for the Thinking Mind," Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, 1999, P. 397.

Slay anger

Slay anger and you will be happy, slay anger and you will not sorrow.

For the slaying of anger in all its forms with it poisoned root and sweet sting - that is the slaying the nobles praise; with anger slayed, one weeps no more. (Buddha)
Dhammananda, K. S., "Food for the Thinking Mind," Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, 1999, P. 394-5.

No death without birth

One day the Buddha advised Ananda, "If anybody should ask the question as to why death takes place, tell them that death takes place because of birth. If there is no birth then there is no death. If you try to prevent death by force, then you do not understand nature, You are in fact going against the laws of nature."

The setting sun in one country becomes the rising sun in another country. So a setting sun is not the end of the sun. In the same manner, death itself is not the end of a life.

Death is the beginning of a life. Birth brings the death certificate. So if we want to avoid death, we must prevent birth.

Dhammananda, K. S., "Food for the Thinking Mind," Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia, 1999, P. 432.