
Born Siddhartha Gautama, the philosopher and spiritual leader who founded Buddhism lived sometime between the sixth and fourth century BCE, along the border of modern Nepal and India. In Sanskrit, “Buddha” means “awakened one,” and he devoted himself to teaching others how they could achieve a heightened sense of consciousness. This uplifting quote comes from one of the Buddha’s primary texts, “The Sutra of 42 Sections.” According to translator Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, the Buddha began by explaining, “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.” Those who bring light into people’s lives will experience true joy. By contrast, those who benefit from good deeds will encourage further acts of kindness.