Quote

First you have to help yourself.

Tenzin Palmo

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Tenzin Palmo
Age: 81
Born: 1943
Born: January 1
Author
Bhikkhuni
Nun
Writer
Herts
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
Help
Helping
Firsts
First

More quotes by Tenzin Palmo

Image
Obviously the dharma is every breath we take, every thought we think, every word we speak, if we do it with awareness and an open, caring heart.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
I never really wondered about getting from London to Lahaul. It all seemed such a natural progression. In London I felt I was in the wrong place and wanted to leave. I'd thought about going to Australia or New Zealand. It's nothing against England, but I knew I wasn't meant to be there.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
We don't want to go to heaven. We want to be reborn so that we can keep going and realize the dharma so we can benefit other beings, endlessly. It's a very different thing.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
When I heard that our bodies change when we get a bit older, I thought, oh good, now I'll go back to being a boy again. But it didn't happen like that.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
In the beginning especially, we won't realize we're changing.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
The Tibetans have many teachings on how to die, consciously, and how to remain in the clear light, and it works. You can see it working, and they can stay in that state for hours, days, or weeks.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
The first thing is to learn how to quiet the mind, relax the mind, and bring the awareness to the front so that we are conscious of what we're doing when we're doing it without all the commentary.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
At one time I thought that if I could really understand renunciation and bodhichitta from the depths of my heart, then, for this lifetime that would be enough.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
We do look for inspiration amongst our own sex. Why not? You go into temples and they're full of all the lineage lamas who are male. What message does that give to a young girl, except that somehow she got trapped in the wrong body because of bad things she did in a past life?
Tenzin Palmo
Image
If you just follow your inner calling, then you just go ahead.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
I'm glad that I'm female.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
I think it's crucial to recognize that we are so fortunate to have this human birth where we can practice what we want, pick up and not just read books but actually understand them. This level of education is very rare throughout history, so we shouldn't take it for granted.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
There is an enormous joy and satisfaction in doing what you really want to do and are best fitted to do. When it all comes together like that, it gives you a wonderful sense of well-being and satisfaction knowing that you have been doing what you were intended to do for this lifetime.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
If nuns begin getting more empowered, where does that leave us?
Tenzin Palmo
Image
We need to be sincere in our practice, but at the same time we can't take ourselves too seriously.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
A lot of people with the purest motivation end up getting completely burned out. And that's because they lack the wisdom and the skill and the inner space.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
If you become a monk because it's an easy life, because you're going to be fed, and sheltered and people will respect you, then that is not a very meritorious motivation.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
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.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
We only think about the difficult people and the horrible things that happen. That's what gets all the media attention.
Tenzin Palmo
Image
When I was in retreat I just did my meditation sessions and, in-between, reading and things I had to do.
Tenzin Palmo