Enlightenment Quote by Kaiten Nukariya
““The Highest Good consists," says he, "in the emptiness of mind and non-attachment. Transcendence is its cause, and Nirvana is its result. The Middle Good consists in morality and good administration. It results in a peaceful and happy life in Heaven and in Earth. The Lowest Good consists in love and protection of sentient beings.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: Buddhist teachings, attributed to unknown source, modern interpretation
The highest form of good is a mind free of desire and attachment, leading to transcendence and Nirvana; middle good is moral conduct and good governance, yielding peace; lowest good is compassionate care for sentient beings.
In simple terms: Freedom from desire brings ultimate peace; moral order creates societal harmony; caring for beings is basic virtue.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate non‑attachment, practice ethical leadership, and protect life.
Themes
spirituality
ethics
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- community leadership
- environmental activism
- animal welfare
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Buddhism
transcendence
nirvana
morality
compassion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance non‑attachment with necessary responsibilities?
- What does “middle good” look like in modern governance?
A Different Perspective
Non‑attachment can be hard to maintain in a consumerist culture.
![“Rin-zai also says: "Spirit is formless, but it penetrates through the world in the ten directions."[FN#149] The Sixth Patriarch expresses the same idea more explicitly: "What creates the phenomena is Mind; what transcends all the phenomena is Buddha."[FN#150]” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d4e/kaiten-nukariya-793_spirit-formless_rin-zai-also-says-spirit-is-formless-but_13012.jpg)
![“it is the overcoming of egoism, the destroying of mean desires, the uplifting of the moral ideal, and the disclosing of inborn wisdom. [FN#12]” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ae/kaiten-nukariya-793_egoism_it-is-the-overcoming-of-egoism-the-destr_46308.jpg)
![“The fourth stage is called the Rank of Co-operative Merit,[FN#273] in which the student 'co-operates' with other persons in order to complete his merit. Now, he is not compared with a general who conquers his foe, but with the prime-minister who co-operates with other officials to the benefit of…” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4a6/kaiten-nukariya-793_quote_the-fourth-stage-is-called-the-rank-of-c_48041.jpg){kind=icon}
![“The extraction of discrete parts of Chöd teachings from their broader philosophical contexts is symptomatic of how Chöd has been incorporated into and transmitted through other Tibetan Buddhist lineages. For example [...] Chöd practices gradually merged with pre-existing models of deity yoga, such…” quote by Michelle Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b05/michelle-sorensen-60370_2013_the-extraction-of-discrete-parts-of-ch-d_4303.jpg)
