--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Buddha’s principal message that day…" description: "\"The Buddha’s principal message that day was that holding on to anything blocks wisdom. Any conclusion that we draw must be let go. The only way to full..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e7/pema-ch-dr-n-327_block_the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day_709978.png" --- # The Buddha’s principal message that day was that holding… ![“The Buddha’s principal message that day was that holding on to anything blocks wisdom. Any conclusion that we draw must be let go. The only way to fully understand the bodhichitta teachings, the only way to practice them fully, is to abide in the unconditional openness of the prajna, patiently…” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e7/pema-ch-dr-n-327_block_the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day_709978.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e7/pema-ch-dr-n-327_block_the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day_709978.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e7/pema-ch-dr-n-327_block_the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day_709978.png) > “The Buddha’s principal message that day was that holding on to anything blocks wisdom. Any conclusion that we draw must be let go. The only way to fully understand the bodhichitta teachings, the only way to practice them fully, is to abide in the unconditional openness of the prajna, patiently cutting through all our tendencies to hang on.” [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Clinging to ideas blocks insight; letting go opens wisdom and compassion. **In simple terms:** Holding on blocks wisdom; letting go opens it. Key Takeaway Practice non‑attachment to thoughts. Themes non‑attachment wisdom compassion Mood reflective calm Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - meditation - conflict resolution - personal growth - teaching Key Concepts Buddhist philosophy mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What belief are you holding onto? - How can you practice openness today? A Different Perspective Letting go may be difficult when identity is tied to beliefs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) [Messages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages/) [Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) [Teachings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachings/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Holding on to anything blocks wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/holding-on-to-anything-blocks-wisdom/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Wisdom is a fluid process, not something concrete that can be added up or measured. The warrior-bodhisattva trains with the attitude that everything is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/wisdom-is-a-fluid-process-not-something-concrete-that-can-be-added-up/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If your everyday practice is open to all your emotions, to all the people you meet, to all the situations you encounter, without closing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-your-everyday-practice-is-open-to-all-your-emotions-to-all-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/as-long-as-our-orientation-is-toward-perfection-or-success-we-will/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [When we sit down to meditate, we connect with something unconditional - a state of mind, a basic environment that does not grasp or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-sit-down-to-meditate-we-connect-with-something-unconditional/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Unconditional good heart toward others is not even a possibility unless we attend to our own demons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/unconditional-good-heart-toward-others-is-not-even-a-possibility/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Ego could be defined as whatever covers up basic goodness. From an experiential point of view, what is ego covering up? It's covering up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/ego-could-be-defined-as-whatever-covers-up-basic-goodness-from-an/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The peace that we are looking for is not peace that crumbles as soon as there is difficulty or chaos. Whether we’re seeking inner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-peace-that-we-are-looking-for-is-not-peace-that-crumbles-as-soon/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Meditation takes us just as we are, with our confusion and our sanity. This complete acceptance of ourselves as we are is called maitri,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/meditation-takes-us-just-as-we-are-with-our-confusion-and-our-sanity/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Teachings that do not speak of pain have no meaning...because humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiromu-arakawa/teachings-that-do-not-speak-of-pain-have-no-meaning-because-humankind/) [Hiromu Arakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiromu-arakawa/) > [It's an enormous opportunity to get a message out to people who may be less likely to read and listen to CDs - to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-an-enormous-opportunity-to-get-a-message-out-to-people-who-may/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [I don't think it takes much for a cult to be a cult. Many parts of our society are cultish, and you only need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-flynn/i-don-t-think-it-takes-much-for-a-cult-to-be-a-cult-many-parts-of-our/) [Jerome Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-flynn/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [The good teachings thoughts are not obedient to any religious boundaries . These things are justgood and true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-good-teachings-thoughts-are-not-obedient-to-any-religious/) Mak\_786 > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) ## More by Pema Chodron > [“LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/life-s-work-is-to-wake-up-to-let-the-things-that-enter-into-your-life/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-generosity-is-letting-go-pain-is-always-a-sign-that-we/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“If the object of meditation were something concrete, something solid and graspable - an image or a statue or a dot on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-the-object-of-meditation-were-something-concrete-something-solid/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-a-transformative-experience-to-simply-pause-instead-of/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-we-run-a-hundred-miles-an-hour-to-the-other-end-of-the-continent/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“But in this meditation technique, we are with the out-breath; there's no particular instruction about what to do until the next out-breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-in-this-meditation-technique-we-are-with-the-out-breath-there-s/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. Nothing ever really attacks us except our own confusion. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/nothing-ever-goes-away-until-it-has-taught-us-what-we-need-to-know/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn't sit for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/so-even-if-the-hot-loneliness-is-there-and-for-1-6-seconds-we-sit/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If you have rage and righteously act it out and blame it all on others, it's really you who suffers. The other people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-you-have-rage-and-righteously-act-it-out-and-blame-it-all-on/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“When we realize that the path is the goal, there’s a sense of workability. Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Whatever occurs in the confused mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-realize-that-the-path-is-the-goal-there-s-a-sense-of/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Every day is a new opportunity to work with what you have inside toward enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/every-day-is-a-new-opportunity-to-work-with-what-you-have-inside/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-someone-comes-along-and-shoots-an-arrow-into-your-heart-it-s/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) [Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More Block quotes > [I am told many children block out the memory of trauma. In fact, the healing process can only truly begin when we are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-stone/i-am-told-many-children-block-out-the-memory-of-trauma-in-fact-the/) [Phoebe Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-stone/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/) [Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/) > [Stevie Wonder always smells so good... I'm like a DEA dog, I can smell people a block away!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/stevie-wonder-always-smells-so-good-i-m-like-a-dea-dog-i-can-smell/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [When it comes to people I love and care about, I may condense the time, but I'm giving them every ounce of my energy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-shetty/when-it-comes-to-people-i-love-and-care-about-i-may-condense-the-time/) [Jay Shetty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-shetty/) > [I mean family is more important than anything in life. Family is important than my crew, D-Block, my rap career anything... It's the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/styles-p/i-mean-family-is-more-important-than-anything-in-life-family-is/) [Styles P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/styles-p/) > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [One of those blocks (that prevent the 'Middle East from entering the mainstream of modernity') is the orthodox tenet that the Koran and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-beichman/one-of-those-blocks-that-prevent-the-middle-east-from-entering-the/) [Arnold Beichman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-beichman/) > [The family is the building block for whatever solidarity there is in society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ruckelshaus/the-family-is-the-building-block-for-whatever-solidarity-there-is-in/) [William Ruckelshaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ruckelshaus/) > [New York is so serious about the creation of work. Everything is happening so fast, it feels like there's another studio, another session on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diplo/new-york-is-so-serious-about-the-creation-of-work-everything-is/) [Diplo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diplo/) > [Tentatively I stood a great lump of wood on the chopping block and bought the axe down on it. It flew into two perfect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-garner/tentatively-i-stood-a-great-lump-of-wood-on-the-chopping-block-and/) [Helen Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-garner/) > [Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/americans-will-put-up-with-anything-provided-it-doesn-t-block-traffic/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [There's an interesting book about that called The Third Reich and the Ivory Tower, written by Stephen H. Norwood. It has a long discussion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-an-interesting-book-about-that-called-the-third-reich-and-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I think you can train yourself to block out some of that pressure and replace it with confidence. It's about preparation, and the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rodgers/i-think-you-can-train-yourself-to-block-out-some-of-that-pressure-and/) [Aaron Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rodgers/) > [Writer's block? I've never heard of a plumber complain about plumber's block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/writer-s-block-i-ve-never-heard-of-a-plumber-complain-about-plumber-s/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) Browse all 1,755 Block quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Buddha’s principal message that day was that holding on to anything blocks wisdom. Any conclusion that we draw must be let go. The only way to fully understand the bodhichitta teachings, the only way to practice them fully, is to abide in the unconditional openness of the prajna, patiently cutting through all our tendencies to hang on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pema Chodron" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day-was-that-holding-on-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Block" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day-was-that-holding-on-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e7/pema-ch-dr-n-327_block_the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day_709978.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e7/pema-ch-dr-n-327_block_the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day_709978.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e7/pema-ch-dr-n-327_block_the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day_709978.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Buddha’s principal message that day was that holding on to anything blocks wisdom. Any conclusion that…” — Pema Chodron", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Pema Chodron", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Buddha’s principal message that day...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day-was-that-holding-on-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day-was-that-holding-on-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```