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Dalai Lama Quotes

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery. We have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger and attachment, fear and suspicion, while love and compassion, a sense of universal responsibility are the sources of peace and happiness.”

WantHumansHappinessFreedomHuman BeingsEmotionResponsibilityCompassionSourceBuddhismKeysUniversalMiseryObstaclesInner PeaceBuddhistAttachmentSuspicionDisturbingLove And CompassionPeace And HappinessWant To Be HappyKey To HappinessInner Peace And HappinessGreatest ObstaclesI Want To Be HappySpiritual Peace
Author:Dalai Lama
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“With the realization of ones own potential and self-confidence in ones ability, one can build a better world. According to my own experience, self-confidence is very important. That sort of confidence is not a blind one; it is an awareness of ones own potential. On that basis, human beings can transform themselves by increasing the good qualities and reducing the negative qualities.”

WorldHumansImportantSelfWisdomMy OwnHuman BeingsAbilityQualityWiseAwarenessSelf EsteemConfidenceWise WordsWords Of WisdomNegativeExperienceBasesBlindGoodSelf ConfidenceEsteemRealizationPotentialReducingWise Man Once SaidGood QualitySelf TransformationHuman PotentialUntapped Potential
Book:The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Wisdom
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“Human beings are not intrinsically selfish, which isolates us from others. We are essentially social animals who depend on others to meet our needs. We achieve happiness, prosperity and progress through social interaction. Therefore, having a kind and helpful attitude contributes to our own and others' happiness.”

PeopleNeedsHumansKindHelpingHappinessSocialHuman BeingsAnimalAttitudeKindnessProgressAchieveHuman NatureDependsProsperitySelfishHelping OthersBuddhistHelpfulInteractionSocial InteractionOthers HappinessNot Selfish
Author:Dalai Lama
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“I feel that compassionate thought is the most precious thing there is. It is something that only we human beings can develop. And if we have a good heart, a warm heart, warm feelings, we will be happy and satisfied ourselves, and our friends will experience a friendly and peaceful atmosphere as well. This can be experienced community to community, country to country, continent to continent.”

IfsHumansWellsHeartCountryFeelingsPeaceCommunityHuman BeingsCompassionKindnessPositiveFriendsWarmHappySatisfiedPeacefulBuddhistAtmosphereFriendlyWarmthCompassionateContinentsGood HeartPrecious ThingsPositive InspirationalWarm Heart
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Internal peace is an essential first step to achieving peace in the world. How do you cultivate it? It's very simple. In the first place by realizing clearly that all mankind is one, that human beings in every country are members of one and the same family.”

WorldFirstsHumansCountryRealizingHuman BeingsSimpleStepsAchieveMankindMembersEssentialsAchievementDiversityInternalsBrotherhoodFirst StepsUnity In DiversityAchieving PeaceInternal Peace
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Physically you are a human being, but mentally you are incomplete. Given that we have this physical human form, we must safeguard our mental capacity for judgment. For that, we cannot take out insurance; the insurance company is within: self-discipline, self-awareness, and a clear realization of the disadvantages of anger and the positive effects of kindness.”

HumansSelfFormGivenHuman BeingsCompanyKindnessClearEffectsAwarenessDisciplineJudgmentCapacitySelf AwarenessRealizationSelf DisciplineIncompleteDisadvantagesInsurance CompaniesHuman Form
Book:Path To Tranquility
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“We can never obtain peace in the world if we neglect the inner world and don't make peace with ourselves. World peace must develop out of inner peace. Without inner peace it is impossible to achieve world peace, external peace. Weapons themselves do not act. They have not come out of the blue. Man has made them. But even given those weapons, those terrible weapons, they cannot act by themselves. As long as they are left alone in storage they cannot do any harm. A human being must use them. Someone must push the button. Satan, the evil powers, cannot push that button. Human beings must do it.”

IfsMenWorldHumansLongMadeUseSpiritualEvilLeftGivenHuman BeingsImpossibleAchieveTerribleWeaponsBlueHarmInner PeaceSatanNeglectButtonsMaking PeaceLeft AloneInner WorldStorageGreat Spiritual
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We are all here on this planet, as it were, as tourists. None of us can live here forever. The longest we might live is a hundred years. So while we are here we should try to have a good heart and to make something positive and useful of our lives. Whether we live just a few years or a whole century, it would be truly regrettable and sad if we were to spend that time aggravating the problems that afflict other people, animals, and the environment. The most important things is to be a good human being.”

PeopleIfsShouldTryingYearsHumansHeartImportantWholeProblemMightWould BeHuman BeingsAnimalForeverEnvironmentOur LivesCenturyPlanetsHundredImportant ThingsLife ChangingTouristsGood HeartAggravatingGood Human Being
Book:Path To Tranquility
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“No matter what part of the world we come from, we are all basically the same human beings. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. We have the same basic human needs and concerns. All of us human beings want freedom and the right to determine our own destiny as individuals and as peoples. That is human nature.”

WorldWantNeedsTryingHumansMatterSufferingIndividualHuman BeingsDestinyHuman NatureConcernNo Matter WhatHuman RightsDetermineHuman NeedsBasic Human Needs
Author:Dalai Lama
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“I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. We must all learn to work not just for our own self, family, or nation but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources, and through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment.”

WorldBelieveHumansSelfHelpingUseCareI BelieveNationsNaturalChallengesHuman BeingsResponsibilityEnvironmentGreaterGenerationsKeysBenefitsSurvivalResourcesConcernUniversalFoundationHelping OthersOur TimeHumankindVolunteerFuture GenerationNatural ResourcesVolunteerismSense Of ResponsibilityEquitable
Author:Dalai Lama
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“I believe that the basic nature of human beings is gentle and compassionate. It is therefore in our own interest to encourage that nature, to make it live within us, to leave room for it to develop. If on the contrary we use violence, it is as if we voluntarily obstruct the positive side of human nature and prevent its evolution.”

IfsBelieveHumansUseI BelieveSidesInterestHuman BeingsRoomsHealingViolenceHuman NatureEvolutionConflictContraryGentleCompassionateConflict ResolutionConflict Of Interest
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Human beings by nature want happiness and do not want suffering. With that feeling everyone tries to achieve happiness and tries to get rid of suffering, and everyone has the basic right to do this. In this way, all here are the same, whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated, Easterner or Westerner, believer or non-believer, and within believers whether Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and so on. Basically, from the viewpoint of real human value we are all the same.”

WayWantTryingHumansRealFeelingsChristianSufferingValuesHuman BeingsPoorRichAchieveBelieverEducatedBuddhistViewpointsUneducatedHuman ValuesRich Or PoorWesternersReal HumanNon Believer
Author:Dalai Lama
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“One great question underlies our experience, whether we think about it or not: what is the purpose of life? From the moment of birth every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affects this. >From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.”

ThinkingWantInspirationalHumansDoeImportantMomentsHappinessDesirePurposeSufferingSocialHuman BeingsBirthDegreesCoreIdeologyContentmentPurpose Of LifeConditioningWhat Is The Purpose Of Life
Book:Path To Tranquility
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“I hope that at this moment you are thinking of yourself as a human being rather than as an American, Asian, European, African, or member of any particular country. These loyalties are secondary.”

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Book:How to Be Compassionate: A Handbook for Creating Inner Peace and a Happier World
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“My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit of reconciliation. However, I believe that a human being, without religious faith, can be a very good person - sincere, a good heart, having a sense of concern for others - without belief in a particular religious faith.”

BelieveHumansHeartPersonsSpiritBeliefI BelieveReligiousHuman BeingsCompassionParticularConcernTraditionIncreaseVery GoodVariousCaringSincereReconciliationReligious FaithGood PersonGood HeartReligious TraditionsConcern For Others
Author:Dalai Lama
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“It’s in our interest to take care of others. Self-centrednes s is opposed to basic human nature. In our own interest as human beings we need to pay attention to our inner values. Sometimes people think compassion is only of help to others, while we get no benefit. This is a mistake. When you concern yourself with others, you naturally develop a sense of self-confidence . To help others takes courage and inner strength.”

PeopleThinkingNeedsHumansSelfSometimesHelpingWisdomCareSpiritualValuesInterestHuman BeingsPayAttentionMistakeCompassionCourageWiseHuman NatureDevelopmentConfidenceWise WordsWords Of WisdomBenefitsConcernConcernedCaringTake CareSelf ConfidenceHelping OthersSensesDevelopingPay AttentionInner StrengthSpiritual WisdomOpposingSense Of SelfEgoismCaring For OthersTibetan
Author:Dalai Lama
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“While people are often content to criticize and blame others for what goes wrong, surely we should at least attempt to put forward constructive ideas. One thing is for certain: given human beings' love of truth, justice, peace, and freedom, creating a better, more compassionate world is a genuine possibility. The potential is there.”

PeopleWorldLoveInspirationalShouldHumansIdeasWisdomTruthCertainGivenPeaceJusticeFreedomHuman BeingsCompassionOne ThingPossibilityBuddhismWise WordsWords Of WisdomCreatingBlameGenuineBuddhistCriticizePotentialWrongCompassionateBeing HumanMonkAttemptingConstructiveWise Man Once SaidTibetanHuman PotentialCriticiseBlaming Others
Author:Dalai Lama
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“A compassionate attitude helps you communicate more easily with your fellow human beings. As a result, you make more genuine friends and the atmosphere around you is more positive, which gives you greater inner strength. This inner strength helps you spontaneously concern yourself with others, instead of thinking only about yourself.”

ThinkingGivingHumansHelpingHuman BeingsResultsAttitudeGreaterWords Of WisdomConcernFellowsCommunicateGenuineAtmosphereInner StrengthAbout YourselfCompassionateSelf CenteredWise Man Once SaidEgoismTibetanGenuine Friends
Author:Dalai Lama
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“At a fundamental level, as human beings, we are all the same; each one of us aspires to happiness and each one of us does not wish to suffer. This is why, whenever I have the opportunity, I try to draw people's attention to what as members of the human family we have in common and the deeply interconnected nature of our existence and welfare.”

PeopleTryingHumansDoeWisdomSufferingOpportunityWishHuman BeingsLevelsCommonExistenceAttentionMembersDrawsFundamentalsWelfareAspireInterconnectedSamenessHuman Family
Author:Dalai Lama
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“All living beings have experience of pleasure and pain, and we are among them. What makes human beings different is that we have a powerful intelligence and a much greater ability to achieve happiness and avoid suffering. Real happiness and friendship come not from money or even knowledge, but from warm-heartednes s. Once we recognize this we will be more inclined to cultivate it.”

HumansDifferentRealPainSufferingHuman BeingsAbilityPleasurePowerfulGreaterAchieveWarmBeing DifferentPain And PleasureReal Happiness
Author:Dalai Lama
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“It is my fundamental conviction that compassion - the natural capacity of the human heart to feel concern for and connection with another human being - constitutes a basic aspect of our nature shared by all human beings, as well as being the foundation of our happiness. All ethical teachings, whether religious or nonreligious, aim to nurture this innate and precious quality, to develop it and to perfect it.”

FeelsHumansWellsHeartNaturalReligiousHuman BeingsPerfectQualityCompassionTeachingWords Of WisdomCapacityConcernAspectConnectionsAimFoundationFundamentalsConvictionHappyEthicalNurtureBeing HappyHuman HeartInnateCaring For OthersTibetan
Author:Dalai Lama
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“I consider myself to be just one among 7 billion human beings. If I were to think of myself as different from others, or as something special, it would create a barrier between us. What makes us the same is that we all want to lead happy lives and gather friends around us. And friendship is based on trust, honesty and openness.”

IfsThinkingWantHumansDifferentHuman BeingsSpecialHonestyTrustWords Of WisdomHappyBillionsJust OneBarriersOpennessHappy LifeTrue HappinessWise Man Once SaidBeing DifferentSomething SpecialTibetanSamenessTrust Honesty
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Whether we like it or not, we have all been born into this world as part of one great human family. Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, belonging to one nation or another, to one religion or another, adhering to this ideology or that, ultimately each of is just a human being like everyone else. We all desire happiness and do not want suffering.”

WorldWantHumansDesireSufferingNationsBornHuman BeingsPoorRichThis WorldEducatedIdeologyBelongingUnity In DiversityUneducatedCultural DiversityHuman FamilyRich Or PoorCommon Humanity
Author:Dalai Lama
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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
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“Friends, genuine friends, are attracted by a warm heart, not money, not power. A genuine friend considers you as just another human being, as a brother or sister, and shows affection on that level, regardless of whether you are rich or poor, or in a high position; that is a genuine friend.”

HumansHeartShowsHuman BeingsPoorLevelsRichPositionBrotherAffectionWarmGenuineGood FriendSisterBest FriendTibetanRich Or PoorLove And AffectionTrue Best FriendWarm HeartGenuine Friends
Author:Dalai Lama
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