Death carries off a man busy picking flowers with an besotted mind, like a great flood does a sleeping village.
Gautama BuddhaRead
These teachings are like a raft, to be abandoned once you have crossed the flood. Since you should abandon even good states of mind generated by these teachings, How much more so should you abandon bad states of mind!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Teachings serve as temporary tools for enlightenment and should be let go after achieving understanding.
In this quote, Gautama Buddha emphasizes the importance of teachings and practices in guiding one towards enlightenment, much like a raft helps one traverse a river. However, once the journey is completed and the goal is achieved, it is crucial to let go of even the beneficial teachings and mental states, as they can become attachments that hinder further growth and understanding.
Themes
TeachingsEnlightenmentLetting GoMindfulnessAttachment
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation retreat, this quote could be used to encourage participants to focus on the practice and to let go of preconceptions.
More from Gautama Buddha
All quotes →A kind man who makes good use of wealth is rightly said to possess a great treasure; but the miser who hoards up his riches will have no profit.
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There are having flowers in Spring, breezes in Summer, moon in Autumn, snows in Winter. If there is nothing worrying over you, it will be the best seasons at all times.
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Make an island of yourself, make yourself your refuge; there is no other refuge. Make truth your island, make truth your refuge; there is no other refuge.
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When a wise man is advised of his errors, he will reflect on and improve his conduct. When his misconduct is pointed out, a foolish man will not only disregard the advice but rather repeat the same error.
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The tongue like a sharp knife ... Kills without drawing blood.
Gautama BuddhaRead
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