The Buddhist Hospice Trust is not setting out to promote Buddhism per se, but aims to serve people of all religious persuasions, and none. We don\u2019t see Buddhism as our destination, rather it is our point of departure for the growth of our hearts in service of whatever need we encounter, and in whatever way our hearts incline us to act, be it Buddhist or be it empty of ideological investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter Goble<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We are always beginners in the art of compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christina Feldman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loving-Kindness and Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Buddha was joined by his own son, Rahula, a young boy. He advised him: \u201cCultivate Rahula, a meditation on loving-kindness, for by cultivating loving-kindness, ill will is banished forever. Cultivate, too, a meditation on compassion, for by cultivating compassion, you will find harm and cruelty disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Majjhima Nikaya<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faith in the Truth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Accept my words only when you have examined them for yourselves; do not accept them simply because of the reverence you have for me. Those who only have faith in me and affection for me will not find the final freedom. But those who have faith in the truth and are determined on the path, they will find awakening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Majjhima Nikaya<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mind Only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything good and bad comes from your own mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find something beyond the mind is impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bodhidharma<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wisely Selfish<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to be wisely selfish, care for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dalai Lama<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enlightenment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before enlightenment, chopping wood and carrying water. After enlightenment, chopping wood and carrying water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zen saying<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look Within<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do not get it from yourself, where will you go for it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seize the Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a large wooden block (Han<\/em>) hanging outside of every meditation hall (Zendo<\/em>) in Zen centres and monasteries around the world, upon which are inscribed words like these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGreat is the matter of birth and death. Brad Hunter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Focus on Reality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The aim of Zen is to focus the attention on reality itself, instead of on our intellectual and emotional reactions to reality \u2013 reality being the ever-changing, ever-growing, indefinable something known as \u2018life\u2019, which will never stop for a moment to fit it satisfactorily into any rigid system of pigeon-holes and ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alan Watts<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid Aversion or Attachment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The perfect way is only difficult for those who pick and choose. On Trust in the Heart. <\/em>Zen Text<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doing One\u2019s Best<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I have done my best. That is about all the philosophy of living that one needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lin Yutang<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Immeasurable Love<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let the disciple cultivate love without measure towards all beings. Let him cultivate towards the whole world, above, below, around, a heart of love unstinted. \u2026 For in all the world this state of heart is best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Buddha<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n True Refuge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make an island of yourself, Digha Nikaya<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Spiritual Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Half the spiritual life consists of remembering \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n No Regret<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My religion is to live and die without regret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milarepa<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amending Mistakes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By amending our mistakes, we get wisdom. The Sutra of Hui Neng<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Best Season in Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ten thousand flowers in spring, Wu Men<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mindfulness Is the Key<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Buddhism, mindfulness is the key. Mindfulness is the energy Thich Nhat Hanh<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oneness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Accustomed long to contemplating love and compassion I have forgotten all difference between myself and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milarepa<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimate Reality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The morning glory which blooms for an hour Zen poem<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kindness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My religion is very simple \u2013 my religion is kindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dalai Lama<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our True Refuge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be a lantern to yourself and a refuge. Draw close to the light within yourself and seek no other shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buddhist Wisdom<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Sceptical Attitude<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Basically, the Buddhist attitude is that you should not accept certain things through sheer faith. And for that you need a sceptical attitude. Buddha himself made this clear to his followers. He said you should not accept those things I taught out of respect for me, but rather through investigation by yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dalai Lama<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gateless Gate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It can happen to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a flashing moment something opens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are new all through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You see the same un-same world with fresh eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This universe-renewing power comes by grace, not logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever you do or wherever you are seems to make little difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn’t make sense. It makes you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zen Flesh, Zen Bones<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-<\/p>\n\n\n\n One Kind Word<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One kind word will keep you warm for three winters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chinese Proverb<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortune and Misfortune<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If fortune smiles, who doesn\u2019t? If fortune doesn\u2019t, who does?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chinese Proverb<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: https:\/\/buddhisthospice.org.uk<\/a>\/parables\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [Subheadings added by website designer.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Buddhist Hospice Trust<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The following notes are from the Home page of the Buddhist Hospice Trust website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBe present, bear witness, and befriend\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Trust works through a network of volunteers to provide compassionate care and spiritual support for seriously ill, dying or bereaved people, their families, friends and carers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are a non-aligned, voluntary and autonomous association of Western Buddhists, open to ALL who want to join, want to help, or need any kind of help themselves. If you feel that we might have something to offer you then please do not hesitate to contact us at: the Buddhist Hospice Trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Trust is a \u201chospice without walls\u201d, i.e. no building or equipment. We don\u2019t have in-patient services (beds) or provide nursing or palliative care. We can sometimes help by pointing to sources of specialist help in a particular locality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our volunteers make a commitment to \u2018be present, bear witness, and befriend\u2019 people who call on us for help. They will always be required to operate within a Code of Conduct. \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re also keen to hear from health and social care organisations \u2026 as well as from individual carers, nurses, social workers, chaplains, teachers, students, or researchers about issues of mutual interest or concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our work is funded wholly by voluntary giving. \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Buddhist Hospice Trust is registered with the Charity Commission No.298859<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life slips quickly by.
Time waits for no one.
Wake up! Wake up!
Don\u2019t waste a moment.
Death and grief are two messengers who call upon us to Wake up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not like, do not dislike, all then will be clear.
Make a hairbreadth difference and Heaven and Earth are set apart.
If you want the truth to stand clear before you, never be for or
against. The struggle between \u2018for\u2019 and \u2018against\u2019 is the mind\u2019s worst disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
make yourself your refuge;
there is no other refuge.
Make truth your island,
make truth your refuge;
there is no other refuge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
what we are up against and where we are going.
Ayya Khema<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
By defending our faults, we betray an unsound mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer,
snow in winter. If your mind isn\u2019t clouded
by unnecessary things,
this is the best season of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
that sheds light on all things and all activities, producing the power
of concentration, bringing forth deep insight and awakening.
Mindfulness is the base of Buddhist practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Differs not at heart from the giant pine,
Which lives for a thousand years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Buddha opened his Dhammapada<\/em> with the magnificent line, \u201cAll that we are is the result of what we have thought.\u201d
And today, despite our technology and science, people are most insecure because they persist in thinking about and going after things that have no capacity to give them security.
An inspirational passage turns our thoughts to what is permanent, to those things that put a final end to insecurity.
In meditation, the passage becomes imprinted on our consciousness. As we drive it deeper and deeper, the words come to life within us, transforming all our thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds.
(Eknath Easwaran, Passage Meditation: A Complete Spiritual Practice<\/em>) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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