Wonder why all the statues that we see of Lord Buddha show him as calm, cool and smiling? Well, because Gautama the Buddha had found the secrets of life by discovering the harsh realities of life. He had his ego completely annihilated and found the beauty of present moment. To be calm and cool like him, we will have to take in a few of his observations about life. 

1) “Three things cannot be hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth.”

No matter how much we try to conceal the truth, it will be known one day or the other. It’s foolish to cover up lies because the truth reveals itself in the most honest way. Truth is always like oil in water. No matter how much water is added to depress it, it always floats on Top…

2) “You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.”

Anger is a lethal weapon. Apart from slaying the enemy, it also slays you. When you’re angry, your words deceive you and they hurt  others. Therefore, it’s advisable to remain silent and not speak when something annoys you.

3) “You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

We often expect to receive love and affection from others. In that process, we start neglecting ourselves. We try too hard to get attention. However, we forget that loving one’s own self comes before loving others. You cannot love selflessly, until and unless you understand yourself.

4) “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”

The message here is to think happy thoughts that will keep us happy throughout the day. Being optimistic is better than having negative thoughts. Seeing the glass half-filled is a way better perspective than seeing the glass half-empty. Be positive.

5) “You only lose what you cling to.”

Getting attached to a thing or being is the biggest mistake we can make in our lives. It is when we get too dependent on it that we start losing it. Remember, the thing or being we are attached to the most will be the cause of our biggest misery, sorrow and pain.

6) “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason, your own common sense and experience.”

Indeed, an enlightening quote! Here, Buddha wants us to learn from our own experiences and not from the reviews of others. Question everything. He wants us to, observe, examine and analyze intellectually and when we find anything that agrees with reason and common sense and is conducive to the good, to the benefit and the welfare of all beings — that doctrine he wants us to accept and cling to and make it as a guide and live up to it.

7) “Physical charms attract the eyes; goodness attracts the mind.”

Good looks are an asset — however, a good character is an identity. It’s completely wrong to judge someone only by their looks and not by their character.

8) “Just as on a rubbish heap swept up on a main road, a purely fragrant, delightful lotus might spring up, even so amidst those rubbish heaps (of men) does the sravaka of the Perfectly Enlightened One outshines in insight the blind puthujjana.”

Even if you’re surrounded by filth, but you are strong enough to resist the bad and not get affected by it, you will grow like a lotus in a mud lake. If you’re a student, with hard work, you will outshine all other ordinary students.

9) “When you like a flower, you just pluck it. But when you love a flower, you water it daily.”

Buddha teaches us the difference between love and lust. In love, you nurture a relationship. In lust, you only satisfy your physical needs.

One day the ocean asked the river, “How long will you keep mixing sweet water in me?”

The river laughed and said, “As long as sweetness doesn’t come in you!!!”

That’s ‘Relationship…’

10) “A jug fills drop by drop.”

Starting small is the mantra for finishing big. It doesn’t matter if your start is a small attempt. If you keep at it steadily, you will achieve what you want to one day.

11) “It is better to travel well than to arrive.”

Life is one big journey and you are a traveler. It’s better to live and travel well, than thinking about the future and losing your peace of mind. Living the fullest in the present moment is the best way to enjoy life, rather than living in the past or the future.

“Worrying is like paying interest when it is not due. ​ Worrying does not solve tomorrow’s troubles; ​ it takes away today’s peace.”

Gautama, the Buddha says:
Health is the Greatest Gift…
Contentment the Greatest Wealth…
Faithfulness the Best Relationship…

…And today, quite contrary… 
We earn wealth… 
With the breach of faith…
At the cost of health…
This keeps contentment miles away…