(From time to time I revisit and browse through the vast treasury of Julian's writings and there are many gems that strike me. This is one of those that I am delighted to share - LS).
Dhammapada - Thousands
Better than a thousand scriptures
on the nature of Buddhahood
is one realization which brings
about one's own Buddhahood.
Better than a thousand mantric formulas
on the nature of Emptiness
is one recitation of one pure thought.
Better than a thousand rituals
on the nature of Mind
is one's own Mind.
One who gains an insight
into the Mind is greater than
a thousand men who have gained a thousand
insights into the lesser manifestations of Mindfulness.
By gaining insight into one's own Mind,
one inevitably gains insight into everything,
for everything is a projection of the Mind.
Better than living a thousand lifetimes
in a thousand solitary retreats
is one lifetime or even one moment
spent in the company of a Buddha.
Better to live in the deathless state
for one day than to live with death for thousands of years.
Better to live in full freedom
for one day than to live with the oppression of all Ages combined.
Better to live in the Dharma
for one day than to live with the ignorant sufferings
of thousands of neophyte disciples.
One day is all that it takes to realize
the Emptiness of one's Mind,
which is the nature of Buddhahood.
By Julian Colgan (Copyright)
Awake To Buddhahood
http://emptinessofmind.blogspot.ca/2012/11/dhammapada-thousands.html