The Buddha and His Teachings

I have gone through a book on the life and teachings of The Buddha (Titled as "The BUDDHA and His Teachings" by NARADA - a JAICO publication). It contains numerous pearls of wisdom and very effective steps to help serious seekers. I am putting here a few excerpts from the book which struck me (some other teachings could be even more important to other readers as everyone's need and stage of evolution is different). 

Excerpts 

Whatever the deluded sensualist may feel about it, to the dispassionate thinker the enjoyment of sensual pleasures is distinctly short-lived, never completely satisfying, and results in unpleasant reactions. Speaking of worldly happiness, the Buddha says that the acquisition of wealth and the enjoyment of possessions are two sources of pleasure for a layman. An understanding recluse would not however seek delight in the pursuit of these fleeing pleasures. To the surprise of the average man he might shun them. What constitutes pleasure to the former is a source of alarm to the latter to whom renunciation alone is pleasure. 

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The body, O Bhikkhus is soulless. If, O Bhikkhus, there were in this a soul then this body would not be subject to suffering...

In like manner feelings, perceptions, mental states, and consciousness, are soulless. 

"What think ye, O Bhikkhus, is this body permanent or impermanent?"

"Impermanent, Lord."

"Is that which is impermanent happy or painful?"

"It is painful, Lord."

"Is it justifiable, then, to think of that which is impermanent, painful and transitory: "This is mine; this am I; this is my soul?"

"Certainly not, Lord."

Similarly, O Bhikkhus, feelings, perceptions, mental states and consciousness are impermanent and painful. 

"Is it justifiable to think of these which is impermanent, painful and transitory: "This is mine; this am I; this is my soul?"

"Certainly not, Lord."

"Then, O Bhikkhus, all body, feelings, perceptions, mental states and consciousness whether past, present or future, personal or external, coarse or subtle, low or high, far or near, should be understood by right knowledge in their real nature as: "These are not mine; these am I Not; these are not my soul."

"The learned Ariyan disciple who sees thus gets a disgust for body, for feelings, for perceptions, for mental states, for consciousness; is detached from the abhorrent thing and is emancipated through detachment. Then dawns on him the knowledge: 'Emancipated am I'. He understands that rebirth is ended, ..."

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To Rahul, his son, apart from above and other teachings the Buddha advises: 

"Seek a remote lodging, secluded and noiseless. Be moderate in food."

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Affection arises from intimacy, and sorrow results thereby. Realising the evil born of affection wander alone like a rhinocerous. 

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Variegated, sweet, and enchanting are sensual pleasures. In diverse forms they seduce the heart. Recognising their menace, wander alone like a rhinocerous.
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Be like a lion that trembles not at sounds. 

Be like the wind that doesn't cling to the meshes of a net. 

Be like a lotus that is not contaminated by the mud from which it springs up. 

Wander alone like a rhinocerous. 

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Alone we come, alone we go. 

Non-attachment is happiness in this world. 

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As fruits fall from a tree - tender, ripe or old - even so we die in our infancy, in the prime of manhood or even in old age. 

The sun rises in the East only to set in the West. 

Flowers bloom in the morning to fade in the evening. 

Inevitable death, which comes to all without exception, we have to face with perfect equanimity.