Manjushri is the embodiment of wisdom of buddhas and bodhisattvas. The sword he holds in his right hand doesn’t aim at any sentient beings, rather, it aims at sentient beings’ ignorance, which leads to endless suffering and ruining one’s own happiness.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
“Love” in Buddhist context entails loving kindness and compassion. “Loving kindness” refers to sincerely wishing all sentient beings having happiness and the cause of happiness; “Compassion” refers to sincerely wishing all sentient beings are free from all suffering.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Ignorance is a dormant defilement and not as evident as aggression and greed. Various worldly subjects help us to remedy part of our ignorance, disclosing many worldly truths and helping us to understand many principles. However, science, philosophies and many religions fail to access the most subtle defilements. Moreover, their method is not in conflict with ignorance, thus they cannot overthrow and eradicate ignorance.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
For a practitioner, having contemplated on the mind of rejoice and the immeasurable thought of joy, one can habituate oneself to be joyful and rejoice in other’s better attributes, instead of being jealous. This is the decency of a practitioner.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
We should not become senseless, unresponsive and act like zombie just because the world is illusory. Neither should we deem this world as perfect, because we will be unable to face it when unfavourable conditions arise. In fact, this illusion does not contradict with our daily life. We can carry out work and develop our career because we have to make ends meet, however we won’t be as attached as before towards this world. When attachment reduces and our mind is broadened, we can engage in any activity at ease.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
The only way out of cyclic existence is bodhicitta. If one can develop bodhicitta, then everything is easy. This is the foundation of Mahayana and Secret Mantra vehicle. Without bodhicitta, everything is difficult and no practice can be accomplished.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Buddhists never believe in destined fate; rather, we believe all phenomena is the product of causes and conditions and subject to change. If everything is destined and changeless, then why do we bother to undertake dharma study and practice? Is it the goal of studying dharma to change fate? Therefore, in order to dismantle these preconceptions and transcend these causes and conditions, we must practice dharma.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
One who practices compassion will become broad-minded, helpful, having discovered the meaning of life. The energy of loving kindness one exudes will make people around him or her easeful, cheerful and warm. Even practicing compassion for ten minutes will attain countless merit.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
The Vajrayana not only expounds many practices which have swift and useful effects, but also imparts various elaborate and concise practices, some of which are rather simple. This doesn’t mean their content is incomplete, rather, its method is quite simple. Through practicing with such simple methods, one can obtain ideal effects, this is referred to as pith instruction in the Vajrayana.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
