Quotations: Buddhism

It is not tenable that inherent existence should arise from causes and conditions: an inherent existence arisen from causes and conditions would be something fabricated.

• On Essence and existence, their position: Existentialism80%

Never and nowhere does anything exist that is arisen from itself, from another, from both, or without a cause.

• On Explaining nature, their position: Mechanism60%

The Dharma taught by the buddhas rests on two truths: the conventional, worldly truth and the truth in the ultimate sense. Without relying on the conventional, the ultimate is not taught; without reaching the ultimate, nirvāṇa is not attained.

• On Nature of truth, their position: Pragmatism50%

There is no difference at all between saṃsāra and nirvāṇa; there is no difference at all between nirvāṇa and saṃsāra.

• On Where the sacred resides, their position: Immanence98%

All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts.

• On Interiority, their position: The examined life85%

All tremble at the rod, all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of others, let none kill nor cause to kill.

• On Moral circle, their position: Pathocentrism85%

As a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, so let one cultivate a boundless heart toward all beings.

• On Partiality, their position: Impartialism85%

Form is not-self, feeling is not-self, perception is not-self, formations are not-self, consciousness is not-self.

• On Nature of the self, their position: Bundle theory90%

These two extremes, monks, should not be followed by one who has gone forth: the pursuit of sensual pleasure, and the pursuit of self-mortification.

• On Bodily pleasures, their position: Asceticism65%

This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence.

• On Relation to desire, their position: Extinction and detachment95%