That’s when we have truly become students of the Dharma.
-- Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, from "Sadness, Love, Openness: The Buddhist
Path of Joy", published by Shambhala Publications
+~
+Buddha qualities are indivisible.
+The disposition is attained as it is.
+The true state is [always] free from any fickleness and deceit.
+Since beginningless time the nature has been peace itself.
+
+Direct perfect enlightenment [with regard to] all aspects,
+and abandonment of the stains along with their imprints
+[are called] buddha and nirvana respectively.
+In truth, these are not two different things.
+
+ -- Maitreya, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso, and
+ Asanga in "Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary",
+ Translated by Rosemarie Fuchs, published by Shambhala Publications
+~
+Like vines that wrap themselves round sandal trees,
+People who keep company with holy ones
+Become, in their turn, holy.
+
+And like kusha grass left in a fetid marsh,
+People who keep company with evil beings
+Will in their turn be evil.
+
+So keep the company of holy beings
+And from bad teachers strive to keep your distance.
+
+ -- Longchenpa, in "Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, The Trilogy of
+ Rest, Volume 1", Translated by Padmakara Translation Group, published by
+ Shambhala Publications
+~
+Thinking about the self as composed of “aggregates” (Skt. skandha) can
+help us reflect on our personal identity in new ways. Generally, we attribute
+characteristics to our personal identity, feeling that it is solid, permanent,
+and real. But here, describing the self as being composed of aggregates can
+help us see ourselves more accurately. The word skandha can be translated
+literally as “heap.” This definition, when applied to ourselves, can help
+us see that we do not have a cohesive, real, and solid self. We are just a
+heap of stuff — flesh, blood, veins, nerves, bones, hair, cartilage, and so
+on. When we sort through this heap, what are we actually? None of the
+elements of the heap is actually “me.” We are a mere mishmash of material
+conditions that we have identified with and labeled “I.”
+ -- Anyen Rinpoche and Allison Choying Zangmo, in "Stop Biting the Tail
+ You're Chasing: Using Buddhist Mind Training to Free Yourself from Painful
+ Emotional Patterns" published by Shambhala Publications
+~
+I once heard a Buddhist teacher say that the whole point of having a teacher
+was to become autonomous. I considered that for a while. I thought, "Well,
+yes, as a mother, I did everything I could to help my son stand on his own two
+feet. I get that." But is it possible for anyone to stand on their own two
+feet without their mother, father, or guardian to guide them? When we are
+born, we are completely helpless and dependent. We would never survive
+without the help of others. There is truly no such thing as autonomy. So if
+you want to live in accordance with the nature of things—which means living
+in grace—practically speaking, it will require some humility and gratitude
+for the ways in which your tradition has come down to you with so much care.
+ -- Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, from "The Logic of Faith: The Buddhist Approach
+ to Finding Certainty Beyond Belief and Doubt", published by Shambhala
+ Publications
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