Even though we have been suffering from these inner diseases of delusions since time without beginning, we now have an opportunity to eradicate them completely. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

A human life has almost limitless potential, but we will be able to realize this potential only if we first learn to appreciate it. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Compared to an animal life, a human life generally provides many advantages, such as good food and shelter; but the greatest advantage of being human is the special opportunity we have to develop our mind and to free ourself and others from suffering. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Right now we have taken rebirth as a human being, and so we now have the opportunity to enjoy all the advantages of a human life. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

All non-virtuous actions have three kinds of effect: the ripened effect, the effect similar to the cause, and the environmental effect. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

We can see that if we want protection from suffering and from the danger of lower rebirth, we must try not to commit any more negative karma, and we must also try to purify the negative karma that we have already committed. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

All the suffering we experience in this life, such as sickness, poverty, conflict, accidents, and harm from human beings and non-human beings, is the result of our own past negative karma. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

if things go well for us in this life – if we have good health, comfortable living conditions, and good relationships with others, or if we meet with success in our activities – this is our previous good karma ripening. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

If we die with an unpeaceful mind, such as in a state of anger, this will stimulate a non-virtuous seed and we will experience an unfortunate rebirth. This is similar to the way nightmares are triggered by being in an agitated state of mind before falling asleep. ~ Geshe Kelsang

Which particular seed ripens at death depends upon the state of mind in which we die. If we die with a peaceful mind, this will stimulate a virtuous seed and we will experience a fortunate rebirth. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The seeds that ripen when we die are very important because they determine what kind of rebirth we will take in the next life. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

In some cases, the dormant seeds in our mind ripening can happen many lifetimes after the original action was performed. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Virtuous actions sow seeds of future happiness and non-virtuous actions sow seeds of future suffering. These seeds remain dormant in our mind until the conditions for them to ripen occur, and then they produce their effect. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Every action we perform leaves an imprint on our very subtle mind, and each imprint eventually gives rise to its own effect. Our mind is like a field, and performing actions is like sowing seeds in that field. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

We must believe the dependent relationship between actions and effects because conviction in the laws of karma is the root of future happiness. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The dependent relationship between actions and effects, virtuous actions causing happiness and non-virtuous actions causing suffering, is taught by the Buddhas based on their perfect knowledge. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Good, or virtuous, actions are the main cause of rebirth in the higher realms, and of future happiness, whereas bad, or non-virtuous, actions are the main cause of rebirth in the lower realms, and of future suffering. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Good actions come from good intentions, bad actions from bad intentions, and neutral actions from neutral intentions. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Whether an action is good, bad or neutral depends principally upon the intention that motivates it. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

A living being is any being who possesses a mind that is contaminated by delusions or their imprints. ~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso