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Quote by Tenzin Palmo

“In a monastic setting, if someone doesn't want to obey the rules and just wants to live the way they've always lived as a lay person, then why did they become ordained? They have no sense that they have to give something up to gain so much.”

Quote by Tenzin Palmo

Author

Tenzin Palmo, born in 1943, is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist nun and author. She is known for her cave retreat in the Himalayas of India, becoming the first female to receive formal recognition as a cave dweller. Palmo's works primarily focus on the role of women in Buddhism and her personal retreat experiences. more

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“Perhaps Westerners are in a better position to practice true renunciation than uneducated Orientals because most Western people, by the time they come to the Dharma, have led a pretty full worldly life with lots of sensual pleasures, money and lots of toys to play with. They have seen that the path of accumulation of worldly treasure does not lead to happiness or contentment. That's why they come to the Dharma.”

People Doe Play Pleasure Practice Path Position Western Treasure Sensual Contentment Toys Worldly Accumulation Dharma Renunciation Uneducated Worldly Life Westerners Sensual Pleasure

Author:Tenzin Palmo

“Most religions have always appreciated the extreme power of concentrated thought directed toward the benefit of others, especially when that person is practicing in solitude. That's why they have contemplative orders.”

Persons Order Solitude Benefits Extremes Appreciated Contemplative

Author:Tenzin Palmo

“The power of thought is extremely powerful.”

Powerful Power Of Thought

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“In the very deep darkness of this world, little pinpoints of light show up very brightly and can shine a long way.”

World Way Littles Long Shows Light Darkness This World Shining Long Way Very Deep Deep Dark

Author:Tenzin Palmo

“To really be of benefit to others as the Buddha always taught, we ourselves must first get out of the swamp. One of the quickest and most effective ways to do this is in isolation, with very few distractions, working very hard at it and spending all your time and efforts at changing your mind.”

Way Mind Firsts Hard Effort Taught Benefits Spending Isolation Distraction Swamps Changing Your Mind Working Very Hard

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“Even if the hermits do not appear to benefit other beings with their presence or teachings, still they are enormously inspiring to many. Perhaps, in this lifetime, they were meant to work on their own practice, to try to purify their own mindstream so that in future lifetimes (that will last a lot longer than this one), they will be fit vessels to give the teachings to others.”

Ifs Giving Trying Stills Lasts Practice Teaching Fit Benefits Lifetime Vessel Hermits

Author:Tenzin Palmo

“The more you realize, the more you realize how much there is to realize and, at the same time, how much you realize that there is nothing to realize. So, it's an enormous job, not something that is going to be finished in this lifetime.”

Jobs Realizing Lifetime Finished Enormous

Author:Tenzin Palmo

“In Dharma practice, the most important thing is to be very sincere.”

Important Practice Important Things Sincere Dharma

Author:Tenzin Palmo

“Look at your own potential. Don't overestimate your capabilities and push too hard, or underestimate them and use that as an excuse to be lazy.”

Looks Hard Use Excuse Lazy Capability Underestimate Overestimate

Author:Tenzin Palmo

“With sincerity from the depths of your heart to do the best you can, just keep going and don't worry too much that you're not Milarepa or Rechungpa.”

Heart Worry Too Much Depth Keep Going Sincerity Do The Best

Author:Tenzin Palmo