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Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“For the moment a lot of attention is given to economic concerns, and these problems at hand easily eclipse all others. But the remedies proposed for these problems all come out of outmoded ways of thinking... The remedy? Compassion. The logical feeling that we find in ourselves if we search deeply enough that has to be exercised toward all other living creatures.”

IfsThinkingWayEnoughMomentsFeelingsProblemHandsGivenAttentionCompassionEconomicCreaturesConcernLogicalRemedyWay Of ThinkingEclipseLiving Creatures
Author:Dalai Lama
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“An important distinction can be made between religion and spirituality. Religion [is] concerned with faith in the claims to salvation of one faith tradition... Spirituality is concerned with qualities of the human spirit, love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony, that bring happiness both to self.”

HumansMadeImportantSelfSpiritSpiritualityQualityResponsibilityCompassionConcernedTraditionClaimsHarmonyPatienceSalvationToleranceDistinctionContentmentHuman SpiritTrue HappinessWise Man Once SaidLove And CompassionSense Of ResponsibilitySpirit Love
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“Many people today agree that we need to reduce violence in our society. If we are truly serious about this, we must deal with the roots of violence, particularly those that exist within each of us. We need to embrace 'inner disarmament,' reducing our own emotions of suspicion, hatred and hostility toward our brothers and sisters”

PeopleIfsNeedsTodayDealsEmotionViolenceSeriousBrotherRootsHatredAgreeEmbraceOur SocietySuspicionBrothers And SistersHostilityReducingDisarmament
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Peace must first be developed within an individual. And I believe that love, compassion, and altruism are the fundamental basis for peace. Once these qualities are developed within an individual, he or she is then able to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. This atmosphere can be expanded and extended from the individual to his family, from the family to the community and eventually to the whole world.”

WorldFirstsBelieveWholeAbleIndividualI BelieveCommunityQualityCompassionBasesHarmonyFundamentalsWhole WorldAtmosphereAltruismPeace And Harmony
Author:Dalai Lama
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“As human, we all have the same human potential, unless there is some sort of retarded brain function. The wonderful human brain is the source of our strength and the source of our future, provided we utilize it in the right direction. If we use the brilliant human mind in the wrong way, it is really a disaster.”

IfsWayMindHumansUseBrainWonderfulSourceFunctionBrilliantDisasterHuman MindOur FutureWrong WayRight DirectionHuman BrainHuman PotentialRetardedBrain Function
Book:The Power of Compassion: A Collection of Lectures
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“Each of you should feel that you have great potential and that, with self-confidence and a little more effort, change really is possible if you want it. If you feel that your present way of life is unpleasant or has some difficulties, then don't look at these negative things. See the positive side, the potential, and make an effort.”

IfsWayWantFeelsShouldLooksLittlesSelfLife IsSidesEffortNegativeDifficultySelf Confidence
Book:Illustrated Teachings of the Dalai Lama
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“In the past, destruction of your neighbour might have been considered a victory, but today we are all interdependent. We live in a global economy; we face problems like climate change that affect us all. The 7 billion human beings alive today belong to one human family. In the context that others' interests are in our interest and our interest is in their interest, the use of force is self-destructive.”

HumansHas BeensSelfUseProblemMightTodayPastFacesForceInterestHuman BeingsEconomyAliveVictoryDestructionClimateClimate ChangeBillionsDestructiveBelongingGlobalizationMight Have BeenNeighbourWise Man Once SaidLive For TodaySelf DestructionInterdependenceGlobal EconomySelf DestructiveHuman FamilyUse Of Force
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We all have the potential to show others love and affection, but as we progress in our materialistic world, these values tend to remain dormant. We can develop them on the basis of common sense, common experience and scientific findings. The response to the recent tragedy in the Philippines is an example of how such values are awakened; people helped simply because others are suffering and in need of support.”

PeopleWorldNeedsShowsSufferingValuesCommonSupportProgressExampleFindingsBasesTragedyResponseAffectionCommon SenseAwakenedMaterialisticPhilippinesDormantLove And AffectionCommon ExperienceMaterialistic World
Author:Dalai Lama
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“I'm now nearly 79. At 16 I took responsibility for Tibet and lost my freedom. At 24 I lost my country and became a refugee. I've met difficulties, but as the saying goes: 'Wherever you're happy, you can call home, and whoever is kind to you is like your parents.' I've been happy and at home in the world at large. Living a meaningful life isn't just a matter of money; it's about dedicating your life to helping others.”

WorldKindCountryMatterHelpingHomeLostParentResponsibilityLike YouMetsDifficultyHappyMeaningfulHelping OthersDedicationBeing HappyRefugeeMeaningful LifeTibet
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We need to employ a secular approach to ethics, secular in the Indian sense of respecting all religious traditions and even the views of non-believers in an unbiased way. Secular ethics rooted in scientific findings, common experience and common sense can easily be introduced into the secular education system. If we can do that there is a real prospect of making this 21st century an era of peace and compassion.”

IfsWayNeedsRealCan DoReligiousViewsCommonCompassionCenturyFindingsApproachEthicsTraditionBelieverCommon SenseErasIndianRootedSecular21st CenturyRespecting OthersEducation SystemCultural DiversityInspirational EducationReligious TraditionsNon BelieverUnbiasedCommon ExperienceSecular Humanism
Author:Dalai Lama
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“For the rest of your life to be as meaningful as possible, engage in spiritual practice if you can. It is nothing more than acting out of concern for others. If you practice sincerely and with persistence, little by little, step by step you will gradually reorder your habits and attitudes so as to think less about your own narrow concerns and more about others' - and thereby find peace and happiness yourself.”

IfsThinkingLittlesSpiritualActingAttitudeStepsPracticeHabitConcernMeaningfulPersistenceSpiritual WisdomSincerelyRest Of Your LifeEgoismFinding PeaceCaring For OthersSpiritual PracticePeace And HappinessActing OutConcern For OthersAttitude Adjustment
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The purpose of our life needs to be positive. We weren't born with the purpose of causing trouble, harming others. For our life to be of value, I think we must develop basic good human qualities - warmth, kindness, compassion. Then our life becomes meaningful and more peaceful - happier.”

ThinkingNeedsHumansPurposeValuesBornQualityCompassionKindnessOur LivesTroublePositivityMeaningfulPeacefulBe KindWarmthGood LifeHappy LifeBeing PositiveArt Of HappinessHuman QualitiesHarming OthersCausing Trouble
Book:The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living
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“Whether it is under the guise of survival and self-defence or directly expressed through dominion and greed, the failure to recognize the common humanity shared by us all lies at the heart of our difficulties. To overcome it, we should begin to develop, from the level of the individual through that of society to the world at large, what I call a sense of universal responsibility; a deep respect for every living being who lives on this one small planet and calls it home.”

WorldShouldHeartSelfHomeLyingHumanityIndividualLevelsCommonResponsibilityPlanetsSurvivalOvercomingUniversalDifficultyGreedDefenceDominionGuiseCommon HumanitySelf Defence
Author:Dalai Lama
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