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Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“I don't know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but at the very least, it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.”

KnowsInspirationalHumansImportantEarthFacesUniverseStarsClearPlanetsDegreesTasksDeeperHappy LifeGalaxyDeeper MeaningStars And Planets
Book:In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy
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“The various features and aspects of human life, such as longevity, good health, success, happiness, and so forth, which we consider desirable, are all dependent on kindness and a good heart.”

HumansHeartSpiritualKindnessAspectVariousHuman LifeFeaturesDependentLongevityDesirableGood HealthGood HeartGoodness And KindnessSuccess Happiness
Book:The World of Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview of Its Philosophy and Practice
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“Non-violence means dialogue, using our language, the human language. Dialogue means compromise; respecting each other’s rights; in the spirit of reconciliation there is a real solution to conflict and disagreement. There is no hundred percent winner, no hundred percent loser—not that way but half-and-half. That is the practical way, the only way.”

WayInspirationalHumansMeanRealSpiritLanguageHalfRightsViolenceConflictSolutionsPercentHundredPracticalsDialogueCompromiseWinnerLoserReconciliationDisagreementNon ViolenceHuman Language
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighboring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.”

PeopleInspirationalHumansLittlesDoeWarCountryPainLastsValuesPassionIndividualLostNationsPeaceFreedomRightsDyingColdComfortConscienceHungerHuman RightsAbsenceBuddhistTortureRemoveFedsPrisonerLoved OnesFloodUbuntuBeing At PeaceMake Peace Not WarDeforestationPeace Not WarSomeone Who Is Dying
Author:Dalai Lama
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“A good motivation is what is needed: compassion without dogmatism, without complicated philosophy; just understanding that others are human brothers and sisters and respecting their human rights and dignities. That we humans can help each other is one of our unique human capacities.”

InspirationalHumansPhilosophyHelpingMotivationUnderstandingCompassionRightsBrotherNeededUniqueCapacityDignityHuman RightsComplicatedHelping OthersBrothers And SistersHelping Each OtherDogmatismHuman Capacity
Book:Kindness, Clarity, and Insight
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“Whether you believe in God or not does not matter so much, whether you believe in Buddha or not does not matter so much; as a Buddhist, whether you believe in reincarnation or not does not matter so much. You must lead a good life. And a good life does not mean just good food, good clothes, good shelter. These are not sufficient. A good motivation is what is needed: compassion, without dogmatism, without complicated philosophy; just understanding that others are human brothers and sisters and respecting their rights and human dignity.”

BelieveHumansMeanDoeMatterPhilosophySpiritualMotivationUnderstandingCompassionRightsBrotherNeededClothesDignityComplicatedBuddhistSufficientBelieve In GodGood LifeShelterReincarnationBrothers And SistersHuman DignityGood FoodDogmatism
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Given the scale of life in the cosmos, one human life is no more than a tiny blip. Each one of us is a just visitor to this planet, a guest, who will only stay for a limited time. What greater folly could there be than to spend this short time alone, unhappy or in conflict with our companions? Far better, surely, to use our short time here in living a meaningful life, enriched by our sense of connection with others and being of service to them.”

InspirationalHumansUseLife IsGivenGreaterPlanetsConflictConnectionsTinyMeaningfulScalesUnhappyHuman LifeFollyCosmosCompanionGuestsMeaningful LifeVisitorsShort TimeAlone TimeLimited Time
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We begin from the recognition that all beings cherish happiness and do not want suffering. It then becomes both morally wrong and pragmatically unwise to pursue only one's own happiness oblivious to the feelings and aspirations of all others who surround us as members of the same human family. The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness.”

ThinkingWantInspirationalHumansFeelingsHappinessSufferingCoursesMembersPursueRecognitionAspirationCherishSurroundWiserObliviousAlways HappyUnwiseJust Be HappyJoy HappinessWant To Be HappyHuman HappinessSelf HappinessHuman FamilyKey To HappinessAlways Be HappyYou Make Me HappyOthers HappinessFound HappinessMy Own HappinessI Just Want To Be HappyPursuing Happiness
Author:Dalai Lama
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“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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“Each of us in our own way can try to spread compassion into people's hearts. Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the human brain with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the human heart with compassion. This is what the real role of religion is.”

PeopleWayInspirationalTryingHumansHeartRealSeemsCareBrainCompassionRolesIgnoranceCivilizationImportanceWesternSpreadThese DaysHuman HeartFillingHuman BrainWestern Civilization
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Human potential is the same for all. Your feeling, 'I am of no value', is wrong. Absolutely wrong. You are deceiving yourself. We all have the power of thought — so what are you lacking? If you have will-power , then you can do anything. It is usually said that you are your own master.”

IfsInspirationalHumansSaidFeelingsValuesCompassionSelf EsteemMastersWords Of WisdomEsteemLaw Of AttractionBelieve In YourselfWrongDeceivingLackingWillpowerWise Man Once SaidHuman PotentialThoughts Become ThingsPower Of ThoughtDeceiving Yourself
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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“The universe that we inhabit and our shared perception of it are the results of a common karma. Likewise, the places that we will experience in future rebirths will be the outcome of the karma that we share with the other beings living there. The actions of each of us, human or nonhuman, have contributed to the world in which we live. We all have a common responsibility for our world and are connected with everything in it.”

WorldHumansActionUniverseResultsCommonResponsibilitySharePerceptionConnectedKarmaBuddhistOutcomesOur WorldRebirth
Book:For the Benefit of All Beings: A Commentary on the Way of the Bodhisattva
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“From one point of view we can say that we have human bodies and are practicing the Buddha's teachings and are thus much better than insects. But we can also say that insects are innocent and free from guile, where as we often lie and misrepresent ourselves in devious ways in order to achieve our ends or better ourselves. From this perspective, we are much worse than insects.”

WayHumansEndsBodyLyingOrderViewsTeachingAchievePerspectivePoint Of ViewInnocentBuddhistInsectsHuman BodyDeviousGuile
Author:Dalai Lama
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“When the days become longer and there is more sunshine, the grass becomes fresh and, consequently, we feel very happy. On the other hand, in autumn, one leaf falls down and another leaf falls down. The beautiful plants become as if dead and we do not feel very happy. Why? I think it is because deep down our human nature likes construction, and does not like destruction. Naturally, every action which is destructive is against human nature. Constructiveness is the human way. Therefore, I think that in terms of basic human feeling, violence is not good. Non-violence is the only way.”

IfsThinkingWayFeelsHumansDoeFeelingsHandsActionBeautifulFallTermViolenceHuman NatureDestructionDown AndPlantLikesBuddhistGrassDestructiveSunshineAutumnConstructionVery HappyLeafsFalling DownDeep DownNon Violence
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We humans have existed in our present form for about a hundred thousand years. I believe that if during this time the human mind had been primarily controlled by anger and hatred, our overall population would have decreased. But today, despite all our wars, we find that the human population is greater than ever. This clearly indicates to me that love and compassion predominate in the world. And this is why unpleasant events are "news"; compassionate activities are so much a part of daily life that they are taken for granted and , therefore, largely ignored.”

IfsWorldYearsMindBelieveHumansWarTodayFormI BelieveCompassionTakenGreaterEventsThousandActivityNewsHundredHatredPopulationDespiteBuddhistGrantedDaily LifeHuman MindControlledCompassionateThousand YearsIgnoredLove And CompassionTaken For GrantedHuman Population
Author:Dalai Lama
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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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“The death penalty fulfills a preventive function, but it is also very clearly a form of revenge. It is an especially severe form of punishment because it is so final. The human life is ended and the executed person is deprived of the opportunity to change, to restore the harm done or compensate for it.”

HumansPersonsDoneFormLife IsOpportunityFunctionFinalsRevengeHarmPunishmentHuman LifePenaltiesSevereDeprivedDeath PenaltyOpportunity To Change
Author:Dalai Lama
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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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“With a basic understanding of all humans as brothers and sisters, we can appreciate the usefulness of different systems and ideologies that can accommodate different individuals and groups with different cultural heritages, having different dispositions and tastes. Each person has the right to choose whatever is most suitable, on the basis of a deep understanding of all others as brothers and sisters.”

PeopleHumansPersonsDifferentWisdomIndividualUnderstandingWiseRightsRelationshipGroupsBrotherWise WordsWords Of WisdomTasteAppreciateBasesAppreciationIdeologyHeritageDispositionBrothers And SistersSisterWise Man Once SaidUsefulnessSuitableAccommodateFreedom To ChooseCultural HeritageDeep Understanding
Author:Dalai Lama
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“‎Interdependence is a fundamental law of nature. Even tiny insects survive by mutual cooperation based on innate recognition of their interconnectedness. It is because our own human existence is so dependent on the help of others that our need for love lies at the very foundation of our existence. Therefore we need a genuine sense of responsibility and a sincere concern for the welfare of others.”

LoveNeedsHumansHelpingWisdomLawLyingNatureExistenceResponsibilityWiseRelationshipWise WordsWords Of WisdomConcernFoundationFundamentalsTinyHelping OthersSensesGenuineRecognitionWelfareDependentMutualSincereCooperationInsectsInnateSurvivingLaws Of NatureHuman ExistenceInterdependenceCaring For OthersInterconnectednessSense Of ResponsibilityWe Need Each OtherLove LiesCollective ResponsibilityShared Responsibility
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Since periods of great change, such as the present one, come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.”

WorldLifeHumansHelpingUsePeriodsOur TimeHuman HistoryGreat Change
Book:Imagine All the People: A Conversation with the Dalai Lama on Money, Politics, and Life As It Could Be
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