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Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“Through constant familiarity, we can definitely establish new behavior patterns, using our tendency to form habits to our advantage. If we make a steady effort, I think we can overcome any form of negative conditioning and make positive changes in our lives. But we need to remember that genuine change doesn't happen overnight.”

IfsThinkingNeedsHappensRememberFormEffortOur LivesHabitBehaviorAdvantageNegativeOvercomingConstantPersonal GrowthPatternsGenuineTendenciesSteadyFamiliarityConditioningPositive ChangeBehavior Patterns
Author:Dalai Lama
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“If each of us can learn to relate to each other more out of compassion, with a sense of connection to each other and a deep recognition of our common humanity, and more important, to teach this to our children, I believe that this can go a long way in reducing many of the conflicts and problems that we see today.”

IfsWayBelieveChildrenLongImportantProblemTodayHumanityI BelieveCommonCompassionTeachConflictConnectionsOur ChildrenRecognitionRelateSolidarityLong WayReducingConnectednessCommonalityCommon Humanity
Book:The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World
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“It seems to me that self confidence and the ability to stand one's ground are essential if we want to succeed in life. I am not talking of stupid self-assurance but of an awareness of our inner potential, a certainty that we can always correct our behavior, improve ourselves, enrich ourselves, and that things are never hopeless”

IfsWantSelfSeemsAbilityTalkingAwarenessStupidSucceedEssentialsBehaviorSelf ConfidenceCertaintyHopelessAssuranceNot TalkingSelf Assurance
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The way to develop inner peace through meditation begins with the recognition that the destroyer of inner peace is not some external foe, but is within us. Therefore, the solution is within us too. However, that inner change does not take place immediately in the way that we switch on a light, but takes weeks, months and years.”

WayYearsDoeLightMeditationWeekMonthsWords Of WisdomSolutionsInner PeaceRecognitionPeace Of MindFoeChanging Your LifeWise Man Once SaidTibetanDestroyersSelf TransformationSpiritual Transformation
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Like anyone else, I too have the potential for violence; I too have anger in me. However, I try to recall that anger is a destructive emotion. I remind myself that scientists now say that anger is bad for our health; it eats into our immune system. So, anger destroys our peace of mind and our physical health. We shouldn’t welcome it or think of it as natural or as a friend.”

ThinkingTryingMindNaturalEmotionViolenceScientistWelcomeDestructivePeace Of MindRecallsImmuneAnger ManagementImmune SystemPhysical Health
Author:Dalai Lama
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“If you develop a pure and sincere motivation, if you are motivated by a wish to help on the basis of kindness, compassion, and respect, then you can carry on any kind of work, in any field, and function more effectively.”

IfsKindHelpingMotivationWishCompassionKindnessFieldsPureRespectFunctionBasesSincereBe KindMotivatedEffectivenessCompassion And Respect
Book:The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living
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“I am convinced that human nature is basically affectionate and good. If our behavior follows our kind and loving nature, immense benefits will result, not only for ourselves, but also for the society to which we belong. I generally refer to this sort of love and affection as a universal religion. Everyone needs it, believers as much as non-believers. This attitude constitutes the very basis of morality.”

IfsNeedsHumansKindResultsAttitudeHuman NatureWords Of WisdomMoralityBehaviorBenefitsUniversalBasesAffectionConvincedGoodBelieverBelongingImmenseWise Man Once SaidTibetanAffectionateNon BelieverLove And AffectionLoving Nature
Author:Dalai Lama
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“There is a true feminist movement in Buddhism that relates to the goddess Tārā. Following her cultivation of bodhicitta, the bodhisattva's motivation, she looked upon the situation of those striving towards full awakening and she felt that there were too few people who attained Buddhahood as women. So she vowed, 'I have developed bodhicitta as a woman. For all my lifetimes along the path I vow to be born as a woman, and in my final lifetime when I attain Buddhahood, then, too, I will be a woman.'”

PeopleMotivationFeltBornSituationPathMovementBuddhismLifetimeStriveFinalsFeministFollowingAwakeningRelateGoddessVowCultivationFeminist MovementBodhisattvaBodhicitta
Book:Path To Tranquility
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“Giving material goods is one form of generosity, but one can extend an attitude of generosity into all one's behavior. Being kind, attentive, and honest in dealing with others, offering praise where it is due, giving comfort and advice where they are needed, and simply sharing one's time with someone - all these are forms of generosity, and they do not require any particular level of material wealth.”

GivingKindFormWealthLevelsAttitudeAdviceHonestParticularMaterialsNeededComfortBehaviorPraiseDuesGenerosityGoodsBe KindOfferingCaring For OthersDo Unto OthersComforterMaterial WealthAttentivenessMateriality
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We all want to live a happy life and have a right to do so, whether through work or spiritual practice. I'm subject to destructive emotions like anger and jealousy the same as you, but we all have potential for good too. However, our existing education system is oriented towards material development; neglecting inner values. Consequently we lack a clear awareness of the inner values that are the basis of a happy life.”

WantSpiritualValuesEmotionPracticeClearSubjectsAwarenessMaterialsDevelopmentBasesJealousyDestructiveNeglectPotentialHappy LifeEducation SystemSpiritual PracticeLive Life HappyMateriality
Author:Dalai Lama
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“One of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is to try to shift the focus of attention away from self and toward others. When we succeed in this, we find that the scale of our own problems diminishes. This is not to say we should ignore our own needs altogether, but rather that we should try to remember others' needs alongside our own, no matter how pressing ours may be”

WayNeedsShouldTryingMaySelfMatterProblemRememberAttentionFocusSucceedAnxietyOvercomingScalesDiminish
Book:The Essence Of Wisdom
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“If we human beings rely only on material development, we can’t be sure of a positive outcome. Employing technology motivated by anger and hatred is likely to be destructive. It will only be beneficial if we seek the welfare of all beings. Human beings are the only species with the potential to destroy the world. Because of the risks of unrestrained desire and greed we need to cultivate contentment and simplicity.”

IfsWorldNeedsHumansDesireHuman BeingsTechnologyRiskMaterialsDevelopmentHatredSpeciesGreedSimplicityWelfareOutcomesRelyDestructiveContentmentPotentialMotivatedBeing HumanBeneficialEmployingMaterialityPositive Outcome
Author:Dalai Lama
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“If your mental attitude is positive, even when threats abound, you won’t lose your inner peace. On the other hand, if your mind is negative, marked by fear, suspicion and feelings of helplessness, even among your best friends, in a pleasant atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, you won’t be happy.”

IfsMindFeelingsHandsLosesAttitudeComfortableNegativeThreatPositivityInner PeaceAtmospherePositive AttitudePleasantPeace Of MindSuspicionNegativitySurroundingsHelplessnessYour Best FriendMental AttitudeBad Attitude
Author:Dalai Lama
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“When we speak of a calm state of mind or peace of mind, we shouldn't confuse that with an insensitive state of apathy. Having a calm or peaceful state of mind doesn't mean being spaced out or completely empty. Peace of mind or a calm state of mind is rooted in affection and compassion and is sensitive and responsive to others.”

MindMeanStatesSpeakCompassionEmptyCalmAffectionPeacefulSensitivePeace Of MindState Of MindApathyRootedCalmnessInsensitiveResponsiveness
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Study and practice are both very important, but they must go hand in hand. Faith without knowledge is not sufficient. Faith needs to be supported by reason. However intellectual understanding that is not applied in practice is also of little use. Whatever we learn from study we need to apply sincerely in our daily lives.”

NeedsLittlesImportantReasonUseHandsUnderstandingPracticeStudyWords Of WisdomIntellectualSufficientDaily LifeSincerelyHand In HandWise Man Once SaidTibetan
Author:Dalai Lama
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