When flowing water...meets with obstacles on its path, a blockage in its journey, it pauses. It increases in volume and strength, filling up in front of the obstacle and eventually spilling past it...Do not turn and run, for there is nowhere worthwhile for you to go. Do not attempt to push ahead into the danger... emulate the example of the water: Pause and build up your strength until the obstacle no longer represents a blockage.

~ Thomas Cleary

Thomas Cleary Spirituality

The Buddha is like space, with no inherent nature; appearing in the world to benefit the living, his features and refinements are like reflections.

~ Thomas Cleary

Thomas Cleary Buddha Buddhism Nature Philosophy Space World

The Buddhas speak the wondrous sound throughout the world, the Teachings spoken over countless ages can all be expounded in a single word.

~ Thomas Cleary

Thomas Cleary Buddha Buddhism Sound Teachings Time World

What worlds are there herein? I’ll tell you. In these seas of fragrant waters, numerous as atoms in unspeakably many buddha-fields, rest an equal number of world systems. Each world system also contains an equal number of worlds. Those world systems in the ocean of worlds have various resting places, various shapes and forms, various substances and essences, various locations, various entryways, various adornments, various boundaries, various alignments, various similarities, and various powers of maintenance.

~ Thomas Cleary

Thomas Cleary Buddha Fields Buddhism Flower Ornament Metaphysics Philosophy Universe Worlds