The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
"The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" by Thich Nhat Hanh offers an accessible introduction to the core teachings of Buddhism, including concepts like mindfulness, compassion, and the Four Noble Truths. Through clear explanations and practical insights, Hanh emphasizes the importance of applying these teachings to everyday life to cultivate inner peace and understanding. The book serves as a guide to help readers deepen their spiritual practice and embrace the transformative power of mindfulness.
18 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.
Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile.
To be in touch with what is happening in the present moment is a miracle.
Compassion is a verb.
When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence.
Understanding is the basis of love.
The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.
You are more than enough. You are complete.
Suffering is not enough. You must also understand your suffering.
Every thought we think influences our body and our life.
In the light of understanding, we can see that all suffering is caused by our ignorance.
Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.
When we touch the present moment, we touch the miracle of life.
Compassion is a verb. It is not a noun.
To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.
We are here to awaken from the illusion of separateness.
The mind is everything. What you think you become.
Happiness is not something that you can seek. It is a by-product of your actions.