Inspirational Selections
We hope you enjoy these Dharma stories, articles, and arts. They have been compiled from sources and cultures from around the world and many of them have origins that date back thousands of years, having been passed down verbally from generation to generation.
A Gift of Dhamma
by Ajahn Chah
Published Dec 17, 2010
A Dharma talk by Ajahn Chah This is a talk Ajahn Chah delivered to an assembly of Western monks, novices and lay-disciples at Bung Wai Forest Monastery, Ubon, on the 10th of October, 1977. This discourse was offered to the parents of one of the monks on the occasion of their... Read more
Poem On Reincarnation
by Jalai Al-Din
Published Jun 29, 2009
I died from the mineral and became a plant; I died from the plant, and reappeared in an animal; I died from the animal and became a man; Wherefore then should I fear? When did I grow less by dying? Next time I... Read more
Searching for The Friend
by Lalla
Published Jun 29, 2009
from Lalla: Naked Song, translated by Coleman Barks I wearied myself searching for The Friend with efforts beyond my strength. I came to the door and saw how powerfully the locks were bolted. And the longing in me became that strong, and then I saw that I was gazing from within... Read more
Selections by No Ajahn Chah
by No Ajahn Chah
Published Jun 29, 2009
from Reflections, Compiled and Edited by Dhamma Garden A visiting Zen student asked Ajahn Chah, "How old are you? Do you live here all year round?" "I live nowhere," he replied. "There is no place you can find me. I have no age. To have... Read more
Silence, the Sister of the Divine
by John O'Donohue
Published Jun 28, 2009
from Anam Cara: Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World Silence is the sister of the divine. Meister Eckhart said that there is nothing in the world that resembles God so much as silence. Silence is a great friend of the soul; it unveils the riches of solitude. It... Read more
Naked Song
by Lalla
Published Jun 28, 2009
from Lalla: Naked Song, translated by Coleman Barks Whatever I do, the responsibility is mine, but like one who plants an orchard, what comes of what I do, the fruit, will be for others. I offer the actions of this life to the God... Read more
Meditation #17
by John Donne
Published Jun 22, 2009
From Devotions upon Emergent Occasions (1623), XVII: Nunc Lento Sonitu Dicunt, Morieris Perchance, he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me,... Read more
Becoming The Lotus
by --
Published Jun 19, 2009
From: Awakening Osiris: The Egyptian Book of the Dead, translated by Normandi Ellis As if I'd slept a thousand years underwater I wake into a new season. I am the blue lotus rising. I am the cup of dreams and memory opening - I, the thousand-petaled flower. At dawn the... Read more
Selections from the Dhammapada
by the Buddha
Published Jun 19, 2009
Sayings of the Buddha Speak not harshly to anyone; those thus spoken to will retort. Vindictive speech begets sorrow, and retaliatory blows may bruise you. -- Canto X.5 Even though a man be richly attired, if he should live in peace, calm, controlled, assured, leading a holy life, abstaining... Read more
Meet The Friend
by Lalla
Published Jun 19, 2009
from Lalla: Naked Song, translated by Coleman Barks Forgetful one, get up! It's dawn, time to start searching. Open your wings and lift. Give like the blacksmith even breath to the bellows. Tend the fire that changes the shape of metal. Alchemical work begins at dawn, ... Read more
Sonnet
by John Milton
Published Jun 19, 2009
written in consideration of his worsening blindness When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my... Read more
The Need To Win
by Chuang Tzu
Published Jun 19, 2009
from The Way of Chuang Tzu [xix,4], Thomas Merton Translation When an archer is shooting for nothing He has all his skill. If he shoots for a brass buckle He is already nervous. If he shoots for a prize of gold He goes blind Or sees two targets- He is... Read more
The Two Levels of Practice
by No Ajahn Chah
Published Jun 19, 2009
from Reflections There are two levels of practice. The first level forms the foundation, which is the development of virtue, the precepts, in order to bring happiness and harmony among people. The second level is the practice of Dhamma with the sole goal of liberating the heart. This... Read more
Thanks and Yes
by Anthony de Mello
Published Jun 19, 2009
From The Song of the Bird What does it mean to love God? One does not love him the way one loves the people one sees and hears and touches, for God is not a person in our sense of the word. He is the Unknown. He is the wholly Other.... Read more
Eighth Letter: Concerning Wandering Thoughts in Prayer
by Brother Lawrence
Published Jun 19, 2009
from The Practice of the Presence of God You tell me nothing new; you are not the only one that is troubled with wandering thoughts. Our mind is extremely roving; but, as the will is mistress of all our faculties, she must recall them, and carry them to God as their... Read more
The Oneness of Relative and Absolute
by Shih T'ou
Published Jun 19, 2009
(The Ts'an T'ung Ch'i') by Shih T'ou Photographs by Yao Xiang The Great Sage of India conveyed True Mind from West to East. Among human beings are wise ones and fools But in Truth there are no Patriarchs, north or south. From the clear, bright subtle Source Tributary... Read more