Week 2022-21: Nagarjuna - Collected Quotes

"If I have presented any theory

Then I am at fault.

But I have not accepted any theory;

I am totally free from any blame." (Nagarjuna , "Vigrahavyavartanikarika")

"In eating, sleeping, fearing, and copulating, men and beasts are alike;

Man excelleth the beast by engaging in religious practices.

So why should a man, if he be without religion, not be equal to the beast?" (Nagarjuna, [attributed] "The Staff of Wisdom")

"It's amazing, a wonder, that one wakes up in the morning." (Nagarjuna)

"O mighty one, The Four Recollections

Having been shown to be unmistakably the sole Path traversed by the Buddhas,

Do thou maintain zealous watchfulness over them at all times;

Through carelessness herein, all spiritual efforts become fruitless." (Nagarjuna)

"That which one desireth not for oneself,

Do not do unto others." (Nagarjuna, [attributed] "The Staff of Wisdom")

"The foolish are like ripples on water,

For whatsoever they do is quickly effaced;

But the righteous are like carvings upon stone,

For their smallest act is durable." (Nagarjuna, [attributed] "The Staff of Wisdom")

"The phenomena that have arisen interdependently

Are designated as emptiness;.

'Whatever has arisen through interdependent causation

Has no reality." (Nagarjuna , "Vigrahavyiivartanlkiirikii")

"The science which teacheth arts and handicrafts

Is merely science for the gaining of a living;

But the science which teacheth deliverance from worldly existence,

Is not that the true science?" (Nagarjuna, [attributed] "The Staff of Wisdom")

"The universality of change, when completely understood, is the seeing into the heart of all things, and the mind that thus understands is the mind that truly seeks the way." (Nagarjuna)

"Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves." (Nagarjuna)

"Time is fleeting, learning is vast; no one knoweth the duration of one's life:

Therefore use the swan's art of extracting milk from water,

And devote thyself to the Most Precious [Path]"  (Nagarjuna, [attributed] "The Staff of Wisdom")

To him who hath recovered from illness,

What need is there of a physician?

To him who hath crossed the river,

What need is there of a boat?" (Nagarjuna, [attributed] "The Staff of Wisdom")

"To him who knoweth the True Nature of things,

What need is there of a teacher?" (Nagarjuna)

"With the wise and gentle, the contented and the truthful,

Companionship, even in prison, is better than sovereignty with the unruly." (Nagarjuna, [attributed] "The Staff of Wisdom")