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Christmas Humphreys
24quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Christmas Humphreys was a British author, Buddhist monk, and translator, commonly referred to as 'Chris' by his friends and followers.
Birth and Death Dates
He was born on July 1, 1901, in London, England, and passed away on January 21, 1983.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Humphreys was a British national and held the profession of Buddhist monk, author, and translator. He played a pivotal role in introducing Buddhism to Western audiences through his writings and teachings.
Early Life and Background
Christmas Humphreys grew up in a family that valued spiritual exploration. His parents were both interested in Eastern philosophy, which laid the foundation for their son's later interest in Buddhism. After completing his education at Christ Church, Oxford, Humphreys went on to practice law but eventually turned to Buddhist studies.
Major Accomplishments
In 1937, Humphreys joined the London Buddhist Lodge and began translating Buddhist texts from Pali and Sanskrit into English. His translations of the 'Dhammapada' and 'Buddhist Scriptures' are still widely read today. He also served as the president of the London Buddhist Lodge from 1945 until his death in 1983.
Notable Works or Actions
Humphreys was a prolific author, publishing several books on Buddhism, including 'The Buddhist Way to Wisdom,' 'Beyond Humanism,' and 'The Buddhist Psychology of Personality.' His writings not only introduced Western readers to the teachings of the Buddha but also shed light on the practical applications of Buddhist principles in everyday life.
Impact and Legacy
Humphreys' contributions to spreading Buddhist teachings beyond Asian borders cannot be overstated. He helped establish the London Buddhist Lodge as a hub for Buddhist study, meditation, and practice in the Western world. Through his writings and lectures, he inspired countless individuals to embark on their own spiritual journeys.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Christmas Humphreys is widely quoted and remembered due to his unique ability to convey complex Buddhist concepts in an accessible manner. His emphasis on practical application of Buddhist principles made him a beloved teacher among Westerners. He also played a key role in popularizing Buddhism as a spiritual path for modern seekers, making him a significant figure in the history of Buddhism's global spread.
Humphreys' legacy extends beyond his written works; he inspired generations of Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike with his dedication to the principles of compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness. His quotes, which are widely used today, serve as a testament to the enduring impact of his teachings on those who have been touched by them.
Quotes by Christmas Humphreys
Christmas Humphreys's insights on:
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Projections’ – attempts to blame all and sundry for my own past folly – will be found of no avail, and we must learn to withdraw them. None other is to blame for our body, home or circumstance, our friends and enemies, our job and place in the world. We made it all; let us accept and use and better it.
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We see, at least with intellect, that beyond both true and false is truth; that there is beauty beyond our present views on the beautiful and ugly; that pleasure-pain can now alike be transcended, and that some day we shall truly see that ‘form is emptiness and the very emptiness is form’.
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We find our own way to right action, and tread it as we go. He who tells his neighbour what he, the neighbour, should do in given circumstances is a fool. He does not and he cannot know. ‘If I were you’ is a silly beginning to any remark. You are not, and you never will be anyone else. Mind your own business; it is, or should be, a full-time task for twenty-four hours a day.
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We will not read of that which hurts our pride or fears or ‘feelings’. We forget, or gloss over, or excuse, an experience which injured the tentacles of our personality. We forget the pscyhiatrist’s definition of a neurosis as ‘refused pain’. In the same way we escape from mental pain. We refuse to believe what we do not like.
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For the keynote of the law of Karma is equilibrium, and nature is always working to restore that equilibrium whenever through man’s acts it is disturbed.
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The burden of Karma is heavy. All alike have heavy debts to pay. Yet none, so the Wisdom teaches, is ever faced with more than he can bear. Whether or not we can grin, we must bear it, and it is folly to attempt to run away.
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Even as radio waves are picked up wherever a set is tuned in to their wavelength, so the thoughts which each of us think each moment of the day go forth into the world to influence for good or bad each other human mind.
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We see, at least with intellect, that beyond both true and false is truth; that there is beauty beyond our present views on the beautiful and ugly; that pleasure-pain can now alike be transcended, and that some day we shall truly see that 'form is emptiness and the very emptiness is form'.
![Death for [the Buddhist] is the shadow on the face of life, for the opposite of death is birth, not life; that which is born must die. Life has no opposite, for life goes on; only its forms must change unceasingly. It is life which creates, uses and then destroys each form of life, whether yours or mine or that of the mountain, the empire or the fly.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-558705.png&w=1536&q=100)
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Death for [the Buddhist] is the shadow on the face of life, for the opposite of death is birth, not life; that which is born must die. Life has no opposite, for life goes on; only its forms must change unceasingly. It is life which creates, uses and then destroys each form of life, whether yours or mine or that of the mountain, the empire or the fly.
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