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Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“There are two kinds of happiness - the temporary pleasure derived primarily from material comfort alone and another more enduring comfort that results from the thorough transformation and development of the mind. We can see in our own lives that the latter form of happiness is superior because when our mental state is calm and happy, we can easily put up with minor pains and physical discomforts. On the other hand, when our mind is restless and upset, the most comfortable physical facilities do not make us happy.”

MindKindTwoStatesHandsPainFormPleasureResultsMaterialsDevelopmentComfortComfortableTransformationEndureCalmHappySuperiorsUpsetLatterTemporaryMinorsBeing HappyRestlessDiscomfortFacilityThoroughSpiritual Transformation
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We need to find secular ways to cultivate warm-heartedness. We need secular ways to educate ourselves about inner values. The source of a happy life is within us. Trouble makers in many parts of the world are often quite well educated, so it is not just education that we need. We need to pay attention to inner values.”

WorldWayNeedsWellsLife IsValuesPayAttentionTroubleSourceWarmEducatedPay AttentionMakersEducateHappy LifeSecularWell EducatedTrouble Maker
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Any issue, including political, economic and religious activities human beings pursue in this world, should be fully understood before we pass our judgement. Therefore, it is very important to know the causes. Whatever the issue, we should be able to see the complete picture. This will enable us to comprehend the whole story.”

KnowsWorldShouldHumansImportantWholeStoriesAblePoliticalCausesReligiousHuman BeingsIssuesEconomicThis WorldActivityUnderstoodIncludingPursueJudgement
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Those who like myself, consider themselves to be followers of Buddha, should practice as much as we can. To followers of other religious traditions, I would like to say, 'Please practice your own religion seriously and sincerely.' And to non-believers, I request you to try to be warm-hearted. I ask this of you because these mental attitudes actually bring us happiness.”

ShouldTryingAsksReligiousAttitudePracticePleaseTraditionWarmBelieverFollowersSincerelyHeartedRequestMental AttitudeReligious TraditionsNon BelieverWarm Hearted
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Sensory experience does not offset the intense pain or pleasure we feel on a mental level; it may distract us, but doesn't overcome it. On the other hand, if we have peace of mind, even negative experiences do not upset us. Peace of mind is also good for our physical health. Medical experts have found that anger, hatred and fear eat into our immune system. Being calm and relaxed is better for our physical well-being.”

IfsFeelsMindWellsMayDoeHandsPainFoundPleasureLevelsNegativeHatredOvercomingCalmMedicalIntenseWell BeingUpsetExpertsPeace Of MindSpiritual WisdomRelaxedCalmnessImmuneSensoryImmune SystemPhysical HealthStay CalmJoy And PainNegative ExperiencesIntense Pain
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We are beset by problems and if we look for their source, we find they arise because of our selfishness, because we tend to pursue our own interests at the expense of others. Our various religious traditions exist to help us reduce these problems. They all teach ways to overcome suffering through cultivating love and compassion, tolerance, patience and contentment.”

IfsWayLooksHelpingProblemSufferingInterestReligiousCompassionTeachSourceTraditionOvercomingVariousToleranceArisePursueSelfishnessContentmentExpensesLove And CompassionCultivatingReligious Traditions
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Our most valuable teachers are our enemies.While our friends can help us in many ways, only our enemies can provide us with the challenge we need to develop tolerance, patience, and compassionthree virtues essential for building character, developing peace of mind, and bringing us true happiness.”

WayNeedsMindCharacterHelpingChallengesEnemyVirtueTeacherBuildingEssentialsValuableToleranceDevelopingPeace Of MindTrue HappinessBuilding Character
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“According to Buddhism, individuals are masters of their own destiny. And all living beings are believed to possess the nature of the Primordial Buddha Samantabhadra, the potential or seed of enlightenment, within them. So our future is in our own hands. What greater free will do we need?”

NeedsHandsIndividualDestinyGreaterMastersBuddhismEnlightenmentSeedsFree WillOur Future
Book:Dzogchen: The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection
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“So long as space remains, So long sentient beings' suffering remain, I will remain, In order to help, in order to serve... I am nothing but a servant to provide to others. So if you provide some happiness, some comfort to others, then your life becomes meaningful. If your life creates problems or suffering to others, then there's no meaning to your existence.”

IfsLongHelpingProblemSufferingOrderSpaceExistenceComfortRemainsMeaningfulServantTortureSentient Beings
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“The more adept we become at cultivating an altruistic attitude, the happier we will feel and the more comfortable will be the atmosphere around us. But if our emotions fluctuate wildly and we easily give in to hatred and jealousy, even our friends will avoid us. So even for people with no spiritual beliefs, it is important to have a peaceful mind.”

PeopleIfsGivingFeelsMindImportantSpiritualBeliefEmotionAttitudeComfortableHatredPeacefulJealousyAtmospherePeace Of MindSpiritual WisdomAltruismTibetanCultivatingAdeptFluctuationPeaceful MindSpiritual BeliefsHatred And Jealousy
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Once we have a firm practice of compassion our state of mind becomes stronger which leads to inner peace, giving rise to self-confidence, which reduces fear. This makes for constructive members of the community. Self-centredness on the other hand leads to distance, suspicion, mistrust and loneliness, with unhappiness as the result.”

GivingMindSelfStatesHandsCommunityResultsCompassionPracticeLonelinessConfidenceMembersStrongerDistanceSelf ConfidenceInner PeaceFirmUnhappinessPeace Of MindState Of MindSuspicionConstructiveSelf CenteredMistrust
Author:Dalai Lama
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“‎In today's materialistic world there is a risk of people becoming slaves to money, as though they were simply cogs in a huge money-making machine. This does nothing for human dignity, freedom, and genuine well-being. Wealth should serve humanity, and not the other way around.”

PeopleWorldWayShouldHumansWellsDoeTodayHumanityWealthRiskHugeBecomingDignityMachinesSlaveGenuineWell BeingMaking MoneyMaterialismWise Man Once SaidMaterialisticHuman DignityCogsMaterialistic World
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“A compassionate attitude opens our inner door, and as a result it is much easier to communicate with others. If there is too much self-centered attitude, then fear, doubt and suspicion come and as a result our inner door closes. Then it is very difficult to communicate with others.”

IfsSelfDifficultResultsAttitudeDoubtToo MuchDoorsEasierCommunicateCompassionateSuspicionSelf CenteredNarcissisticWise Man Once SaidSelf AbsorbedEgocentricSocial Interaction
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Depression seems to be related to fear, anger and frustration. When you're in a bad mood, even if you meet with your friends, you don't take pleasure in their company. But when you're in a good mood, even if things go wrong, you can cope with them without difficulty. This is why putting yourself in a good mood, making a point of developing a sense of loving kindness gives you greater inner strength.”

IfsGivingSeemsPleasureCompanyKindnessGreaterDepressionDifficultyMoodDevelopingRelatedFrustrationInner StrengthBe KindWrongCopingWise Man Once SaidLoving KindnessBad MoodGood MoodAnger And Frustration
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The question of real, lasting world peace concerns human beings, so basic human feelings are also at its roots. Through inner peace, genuine world peace can be achieved. In this the importance of individual responsibility is quite clear; an atmosphere of peace must first be created within ourselves, then gradually expanded to include our families, our communities, and ultimately the whole planet.”

WorldFirstsHumansRealWholeFeelingsIndividualCommunityHuman BeingsResponsibilityClearPlanetsConcernRootsImportanceInner PeaceGenuineAtmosphereOur FamilyLastingOur CommunityIndividual Responsibility
Author:Dalai Lama
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