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Dalai Lama

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“The problems we face today, violent conflicts, destruction of nature, poverty, hunger, and so on, are human-created problems which can be resolved through human effort, understanding and the development of a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share.”

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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.”

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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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“Consciousness will always be present, though a particular consciousness may cease. For example, the particular tactile consciousness that is present within this human body will cease when the body comes to an end. Likewise, consciousnesses that are influenced by ignorance, by anger or by attachment, these too will cease. But the basic, ultimate, innermost subtle consciousness will always remain. It has no beginning, and it will have not end.”

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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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“The great benefit of science is that it can contribute tremendously to the alleviation of suffering at the physical level, but it is only through the cultivation of the qualities of the human heart and the transformation of our attitudes that we can begin to address and overcome our mental suffering...”

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Author:Dalai Lama
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“Those who have little interest in spirituality shouldn’t think that human inner values don’t apply to you. The inner peace of an alert and calm mind are the source of real happiness and good health. Our human intelligence tells us which of our emotions are positive and helpful and which are damaging and to be restrained or avoided.”

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Author:Dalai Lama
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“I do not see any reason why animals should be slaughtered to serve as human diet when there are so many substitutes. After all, man can live without meat. It is only some carnivorous animals that have to subsist on flesh. Killing animals for sport, for pleasure, for adventures, and for hides and furs is a phenomenon which is at once disgusting and distressing. There is no justification in indulging in such acts of brutality . . . Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to a man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not to die, so do other creatures.”

MenWantShouldHumansReasonPainLife IsDiesSportsPleasureAnimalAdventureCreaturesKillingDearFleshReason WhyMeatDietsPhenomenonSubstitutesVeganDisgustingJustificationVegetarianismBrutalityFurMuteVegetarian HealthDistressingKilling Animals
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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
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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.”

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Author:Dalai Lama
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“My main interest is in the promotion of human values. From birth we have a sense of affection and some sense of concern for others. We need to nurture it. Scientists have found that to ensure even physical health peace of mind is essential. People often think that love and compassion are only matters of religious concern, but in fact such values are necessary in all human relations”

PeopleThinkingLoveNeedsMindHumansMatterFactsValuesFoundInterestReligiousCompassionKindnessBirthEssentialsConcernScientistRelationAffectionSensesBuddhistPeace Of MindNurturePromotionNurturingHuman RelationsLove And CompassionHuman ValuesPhysical HealthConcern For Others
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.”

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Author:Dalai Lama
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“It is not enough simply to wish that love and compassion should increase in us. We need to make a sustained effort, again and again, to cultivate the positive aspects within us - and the key here is constant familiarity. The nature of human thoughts and emotions is such that the more you engage in them, the more you consciously develop them, the more powerful they become.”

NeedsShouldHumansEnoughWishPowerfulEffortEmotionCompassionKeysAspectIncreaseConstantAgain And AgainFamiliarityLove And CompassionSpiritual TransformationHuman ThoughtThoughts And Emotions
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
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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.”

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