---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you practice Buddhism, you have to…"
description: "\"When you practice Buddhism, you have to always self-reflect, and you can't avoid your problems. That makes me understand human beings better. I feel th..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/vinessa-shaw-27701_always_when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-a_327594.jpg"
---

#  When you practice Buddhism, you have to always…

![“When you practice Buddhism, you have to always self-reflect, and you can't avoid your problems. That makes me understand human beings better. I feel that the more I do that in my own life, the more I can see how to play a character.” quote by Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/vinessa-shaw-27701_always_when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-a_327594.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/vinessa-shaw-27701_always_when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-a_327594.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/vinessa-shaw-27701_always_when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-a_327594.jpg)

> “When you practice Buddhism, you have to always self-reflect, and you can't avoid your problems. That makes me understand human beings better. I feel that the more I do that in my own life, the more I can see how to play a character.”

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑reflection in Buddhist practice reveals personal problems and deepens empathy, allowing clearer perception of one’s role in life.

**In simple terms:** Reflecting on yourself uncovers issues and improves understanding of others.

Key Takeaway

Use self‑reflection to understand yourself and your role.

Themes

self‑awareness empathy personal growth mindfulness

Mood

introspective thoughtful

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- therapy sessions
- daily meditation
- conflict resolution
- leadership training

Key Concepts

Buddhist practice psychology character development

Questions to Reflect On

- How does self‑reflection change your behavior?
- What obstacles arise when confronting personal flaws?

A Different Perspective

Self‑reflection alone may not solve external obstacles without actionable change.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Avoid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoid/) [Beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beings/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Buddhism Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism-self-3074003/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [I feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-feel/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [My own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-own/) [Own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/own/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Practice Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice-buddhism-502950/) [Problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problems/) [See](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/see/) [Self Reflect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-reflect/) [Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/)

## Related quotes

> [My dad's a surfer-psychologist, and my mother's an actress-fitness instructor, and we all practice Buddhism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/my-dad-s-a-surfer-psychologist-and-my-mother-s-an-actress-fitness/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [I practice Buddhism, so I meditate daily, which helps keep me centered and reminds me not to get my knickers in a twist over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-fellner/i-practice-buddhism-so-i-meditate-daily-which-helps-keep-me-centered/)

[Rosie Fellner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-fellner/)

> [“Today, as you prepare for beginning the third week of practice I encourage you to write down some things that you may have noticed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryusho-jeffus/today-as-you-prepare-for-beginning-the-third-week-of-practice-i/)

[Ryusho Jeffus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryusho-jeffus/)

> [“We are like the poor son and the Buddha is like the rich father.  We may feel no connection, or we may feel that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryusho-jeffus/we-are-like-the-poor-son-and-the-buddha-is-like-the-rich-father-we/)

[Ryusho Jeffus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryusho-jeffus/)

> [Eventually light prevails, you just have to be patient. So practice Buddhism, learn to be enlightened, put a smile on your face, go find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/eventually-light-prevails-you-just-have-to-be-patient-so-practice/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [There are many, many Christians who practice Buddhism, and they become better and better Christians all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-many-many-christians-who-practice-buddhism-and-they-become/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Self-honesty is absolutely necessary in the practice of Buddhism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/self-honesty-is-absolutely-necessary-in-the-practice-of-buddhism/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [“The story of the Burning House is really about our practice of Buddhism.  We are constantly living in a burning house, a house of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryusho-jeffus/the-story-of-the-burning-house-is-really-about-our-practice-of/)

[Ryusho Jeffus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryusho-jeffus/)

> [“Today as you continue to read the Lotus Sutra, and chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, and of course continue observing your selected Right Way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryusho-jeffus/today-as-you-continue-to-read-the-lotus-sutra-and-chant-namu-myoho/)

[Ryusho Jeffus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryusho-jeffus/)

> [“The study of the self. This is the foundational practice of Buddhism. Basically it's the whole point. So what is the point... What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shoryu-bradley/the-study-of-the-self-this-is-the-foundational-practice-of-buddhism/)

[Shoryu Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shoryu-bradley/)

> [Music is not the only reason that I practice Buddhism anymore because it has affected my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/music-is-not-the-only-reason-that-i-practice-buddhism-anymore-because/)

[Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/)

> [Self reflection and growth is always important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-zarin/self-reflection-and-growth-is-always-important/)

[Jill Zarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-zarin/)

> [Crush the spirit and force a person who cares for you and cause them to self reflect more than any punch would. They were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/crush-the-spirit-and-force-a-person-who-cares-for-you-and-cause-them/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“If you don't look back to self reflect, you're only going to repeat the same mistakes. Those mistakes will continue to show up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaha-knight/if-you-don-t-look-back-to-self-reflect-you-re-only-going-to-repeat/)

[Jaha Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaha-knight/)

> [You have to self-reflect. If you forget who you actually are, then what's the use of even looking in the mirror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/you-have-to-self-reflect-if-you-forget-who-you-actually-are-then-what/)

[Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/)

## More by Vinessa Shaw

> [I think all of the directors I've worked with are mostly curious about the time I had on 'Eyes Wide Shut.' They really just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/i-think-all-of-the-directors-i-ve-worked-with-are-mostly-curious/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [When I realized that nothing is perfect and no one is perfect, I was able to overcome my initial fears. I was holding myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/when-i-realized-that-nothing-is-perfect-and-no-one-is-perfect-i-was/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [I'm not very good at dating. I'm very decisive. If I like someone, then they're my boyfriend. It's pretty straightforward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/i-m-not-very-good-at-dating-i-m-very-decisive-if-i-like-someone-then/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [It's such an awkward, strange thing that was concocted, to have auditions. Back in the old days, you'd just have a screen test, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/it-s-such-an-awkward-strange-thing-that-was-concocted-to-have/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [I had done the child acting thing, which is pretty much learning your lines, standing there looking natural, and having fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/i-had-done-the-child-acting-thing-which-is-pretty-much-learning-your/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [The compassionate actions of a Buddha are essential to reforming and revitalizing society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/the-compassionate-actions-of-a-buddha-are-essential-to-reforming-and/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [I believe that dialogue is the key to breaking through our tendency to separate and isolate. Dialogue changes isolation and loneliness into connection and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/i-believe-that-dialogue-is-the-key-to-breaking-through-our-tendency/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [In 'Garden Party' or '40 Days and 40 Nights,' I played characters who people don't necessarily like; I just find some humanity in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/in-garden-party-or-40-days-and-40-nights-i-played-characters-who/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [I was going to school thinking I was going to do something entirely different, thought acting was just a hobby at that point, met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/i-was-going-to-school-thinking-i-was-going-to-do-something-entirely/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [How many Buddhists does it take to change a lightbulb? Many in body, one in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/how-many-buddhists-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb-many-in-body/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [I think all movie love scenes are hard because you can't truly be as intimate as you would be with anyone you're truly with,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/i-think-all-movie-love-scenes-are-hard-because-you-can-t-truly-be-as/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [I'm a Buddhist and active in my Buddhist's Association, and I'm actually a National Young Women's representative for the organization, so I travel a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/i-m-a-buddhist-and-active-in-my-buddhist-s-association-and-i-m/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [My grandmother is still a woman who worries about what she looks like when she goes outside. She's from that era, and I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/my-grandmother-is-still-a-woman-who-worries-about-what-she-looks-like/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [Coming to know one another based on a shared humanity through dialogue is the key to breaking down the walls of isolation and reversing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/coming-to-know-one-another-based-on-a-shared-humanity-through/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

> [With sex scenes and intense scenes, in general, a lot of it is preparation before the scenes happen, so that you don't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/with-sex-scenes-and-intense-scenes-in-general-a-lot-of-it-is/)

[Vinessa Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

[Explore all 20 Vinessa Shaw quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/)

## More Always quotes

> [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/)

[Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/)

> [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/)

[Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/)

[William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/)

> [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/)

[Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/)

> [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/)

[Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/)

> [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/)

[Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/)

> [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/)

[Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/)

> [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/)

[Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/)

> [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/)

[Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/)

> [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/)

[Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/)

> [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/)

[Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/)

> [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/)

[Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/)

> [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/)

[Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/)

> [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/)

[Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/)

[Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When you practice Buddhism, you have to always self-reflect, and you can't avoid your problems. That makes me understand human beings better. I feel that the more I do that in my own life, the more I can see how to play a character.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Vinessa Shaw"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-always-self-reflect-and-you/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Always"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-always-self-reflect-and-you/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/vinessa-shaw-27701_always_when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-a_327594.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/vinessa-shaw-27701_always_when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-a_327594.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/vinessa-shaw-27701_always_when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-a_327594.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When you practice Buddhism, you have to always self-reflect, and you can't avoid your problems. That makes…” — Vinessa Shaw",
                "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": "Vinessa Shaw",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinessa-shaw/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When you practice Buddhism, you have...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-always-self-reflect-and-you/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinessa-shaw/when-you-practice-buddhism-you-have-to-always-self-reflect-and-you/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
