Early Buddhist Insights

25/08/2026

Slow Down to Speed Up

In today’s world, everything moves at lightning speed—texts, news, decisions, and demands. But learning to delay your reaction is more important than ever.

Anger, fear, and impulse can push us to react instantly, but there’s real power in pausing. Wisdom lives in the pause. By taking a moment to breathe and reflect, we see things more clearly, respond with intention, and avoid decisions we might regret.

Slow down to speed up. Sometimes the best way forward is to pause, think, and then act.

25/08/2026

A Remarkable Moment in Buddhist History. Did you know? According to ancient texts, immediately after his birth, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) took seven steps and made this extraordinary proclamation:

Pāli:

“Aggo’ham asmi lokassa,
jeṭṭho’ham asmi lokassa,
seṭṭho’ham asmi lokassa,
ayam antimā jāti,
n’atthi dāni punabbhavo.”

Translation:

"I am the chief in the world,
I am the eldest in the world,
I am the best in the world.
This is my last birth.

References:
Mahāpadāna Sutta (Dīgha Nikāya 14)
Acchariya-abbhuta Sutta (Majjhima Nikāya 123)

These powerful words mark the beginning of a journey that would inspire millions across centuries.

24/08/2026

Ghaṭikārasutta (MN 81)

https://suttacentral.net/mn81/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin

21/08/2026

17/08/2026

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, India.

The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, especially his attainment of Enlightenment. Emperor Asoka built the first temple in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates to the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period.

12/08/2026

Plan of central and eastern India showing some of the principal place names mentioned in the Pali Tipitaka with modern names in brackets (sources: Cambridge History of India, vol. 1 map 5; T. W. Rhys Davids, Buddhist India).

12/08/2026

Mind is main. Intention is the foundation. We become what we think, so let’s be mindful of our thoughts and intentions each day.

In the Dhammapada, the Buddha said:

"Na taṃ mātā pitā kayirā aññe vā pi ca ñātakā
Sammāpaṇihitaṃ cittaṃ seyyaso naṃ tato kare."

This means “Not a mother, nor a father, nor any other relative can do more for the well-being of one than a rightly-directed mind can.”

Take care of your mind—it shapes your life more than anything else.

11/08/2026

Sukho buddhānaṃ uppādo
sukhā saddhammadesanā
Sukhā saṅghassa sāmaggi
samaggānaṃ tapo sukho.

Dhammapda - 194