Buddhaghosa Quotes
Buddhaghosa was a fifth-century Indian Theravada Buddhist philosopher who, having begun his life as a brahmin scholar of Vedic literature and converted to Buddhism, traveled to the Mahavihara monastery in Anuradhapura on Sri Lanka in order to translate, organize, and comment on the entire Pali canon. His Visuddhimagga, or Path of Purification, became the standard systematic exposition of Theravada Buddhist philosophy and meditation, while his commentaries on the Pali suttas and abhidhamma fixed the orthodox interpretation of the Theravada tradition for the next fifteen centuries. The quotes below are attributed to Buddhaghosa, organized by topic.
Buddhaghosa on Knowledge
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Attributed to Buddhaghosa:
“The teacher's words are a raft; do not mistake the raft for the further shore.”
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“Hate seeks out only unreal faults, while understanding seeks out only real faults.”
3:76, p. 97
Buddhaghosa on Life
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“Only virtue's water can wash out the stain in living things.”
1.24, p. 13
Buddhaghosa on Mind
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Attributed to Buddhaghosa:
“Purification of the mind is the path; there is no other path.”
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“He whose mind is satisfied with virtue that has been achieved, Who never thinks to stir himself And take a meditation subject up, Contented with mere virtuousness, Nor striving for a higher state— His virtue bears the appellation Of that partaking of stagnation.”
1:39, p. 18
Buddhaghosa on Truth
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Attributed to Buddhaghosa:
“Right view is not a doctrine to be argued, but a pair of eyes to be opened.”
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Attributed to Buddhaghosa:
“All conditioned things are impermanent; with this insight rightly held, the path opens of itself.”
Buddhaghosa on Virtue
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Attributed to Buddhaghosa:
“Conduct is the foundation; concentration is the structure; wisdom is the roof.”
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“Shine as they may, there are no kings Adorned with jewelry and pearls That shine as does a man restrained Adorned with virtue's ornament.”
1.24, pp. 13-14