Buddhaghosa Quotes on Virtue
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. This page collects quotes attributed to Buddhaghosa on the topic of virtue, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Buddhaghosa:
“Purification of the mind is the path; there is no other path.”
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Attributed to Buddhaghosa:
“Conduct is the foundation; concentration is the structure; wisdom is the roof.”
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“Only virtue's water can wash out the stain in living things.”
1.24, p. 13 -
“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 -
“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