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Dalai Lama

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“I usually say the aim of life is to be happy. Our existence is based on hope. Our life is rooted in the opportunity to be happy, not necessarily wealthy, but happy within our own minds. If we only indulge in sensory pleasure, we'll be little different from animals. In fact, we have this marvellous brain and intelligence; we must learn to use it.”

IfsMindLittlesDifferentFactsUseLife IsOpportunityPleasureAnimalExistenceBrainOur LivesWords Of WisdomAimIntelligenceHappyWealthyHappy LifeRootedBeing HappyIndulgeTrue HappinessWise Man Once SaidSensoryIndulge InTibetanMarvellousHappiness Is A ChoiceAim Of Life
Author:Dalai Lama
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“If we develop concern for other people's welfare, share other people's suffering, and help them, ultimately we will benefit. If we think only of ourselves and forget about others, ultimately we will lose. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes.”

PeopleIfsThinkingWellsHelpingCareSufferingLosesForgetGreaterShareWords Of WisdomBenefitsConcernHappyWell BeingWelfareSpiritual WisdomBeing HappyCaring For OthersTibetanConcern For Others
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Mentally, physically and emotionally we are the same. We each have the potential to good and bad and to be overcome by disturbing emotions such as anger, fear, hatred, suspicion and greed. These emotions can be the cause of many problems. On the other hand if you cultivate loving kindness, compassion and concern for others, there will be no room for anger, hatred and jealousy.”

IfsProblemHandsCausesRoomsEmotionCompassionKindnessConcernHatredOvercomingGreedGoodJealousyPotentialSuspicionGood And BadDisturbingCaring For OthersTibetanPower Of Positive ThinkingLoving KindnessPositive PeopleConcern For OthersHatred And Jealousy
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The compassion we feel normally is biased and mixed with attachment. Genuine compassion flows towards all living beings, particularly your enemies. If I try to develop compassion towards my enemy, it may not benefit him directly, he may not even be aware of it. But it will immediately benefit me by calming my mind. On the other hand, if I dwell on how awful everything is, I immediately lose my peace of mind.”

IfsFeelsTryingMindMayHandsLosesCompassionEnemyBenefitsFlowGenuineAwfulAttachmentPeace Of MindSpiritual WisdomCalmnessBiasedTibetanCalmingPower Of Positive ThinkingSpiritual Health
Author:Dalai Lama
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“On love, not harming others, and respecting all beings. Even animals have these elements in their behavioral patterns. We should start by observing how animals act. They are honest and appreciate it when we are honest with them. If you present something nice to an animal in one hand while hiding a rope in the other, the creature will know your intention. Yet animals have no religion, no constitution. Basic nature has endowed them with the faculty of discernment. It is the same for humans.”

IfsKnowsShouldHumansHandsTruthAnimalNiceHonestCreaturesElementsAppreciateConstitutionIntentionPatternsFacultyHidingRopeObservingDiscernmentHarming Others
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The mind is key. If anything should be considered a god, so to speak, it is the mind, not money. A healthy positive mind is the utmost priority. But if we were to reverse the order of these priorities, what would happen? I find it hard to imagine how a person with great wealth, bad health, no friends, and no peace of mind could feel even slightly happy.”

IfsFeelsShouldMindPersonsHardHappensOrderSpeakWealthImagineKeysFriendsHealthyPrioritiesPeace Of MindReverseNo FriendsPositive MindBad Health
Book:Imagine All the People: A Conversation with the Dalai Lama on Money, Politics, and Life As It Could Be
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“The nature of the mind is such that if certain mental qualities are developed on a sound basis, they not only remain, but they also increase. In fact, once properly developed, the mind's good qualities eventually increase indefinitely. Therefore spiritual practice brings us long-term happiness and inner strength.”

IfsMindLongFactsSpiritualCertainSoundTermQualityPracticeBasesIncreaseHappyGoodLong TermInner StrengthBeing HappySpiritual PracticeGood Quality
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The simple recognition that everyone else wants to be happy and not to suffer, just as I do, serves as a constant reminder against selfishness and partiality. It reminds us there is little to be gained from being kind and generous while hoping to win something in return. Actions motivated by a desire to earn a good name for ourselves are still selfish, even if they appear to be acts of kindness.”

IfsWantKindLittlesStillsActionDesireSufferingWinningNamesSimpleKindnessReturnWords Of WisdomConstantHappySelfishRecognitionSelfishnessGenerousBe KindMotivatedBeing HappyRemindersWise Man Once SaidEgoismTibetanActs Of KindnessWant To Be HappyRandom Acts Of KindnessSelfish PeoplePartiality
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“The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves. On a simple level we find that if we have a compassionate heart we naturally have more friends. And scientists today are discovering that while anger and hatred eat into our immune system, warm-heartedness and compassion are good for our health.”

IfsHeartKindMeanTodayLife IsSimpleLevelsCompassionSourceConcernHatredUltimateScientistWarmCompassionateHappy LifeDiscoveringBeing HappyTrue HappinessImmuneExtendingImmune SystemInspirational Health
Author:Dalai Lama
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“There is a common perception that compassion is, if not actually an impediment, at least irrelevant to professional life. Personally, I would argue that not only is it relevant, but that when compassion is lacking, our activities are in danger of becoming destructive. This is because when we ignore the question of the impact our actions have on others' well-being, inevitably we end up hurting them.”

IfsWellsEndsActionHurtCommonCompassionDangerBecomingWords Of WisdomActivityPerceptionImpactArguingWell BeingDestructiveRelevantSpiritual WisdomLackingIrrelevantOur ActionsHurt FeelingsProfessionalismTibetanImpedimentsProfessional Life
Author:Dalai Lama
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“If indeed the qualities such as love, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness are what happiness consists in, and if it is also true that compassion, defined as concern for others, is both the source and the fruit of these qualities, then the more we are compassionate, the more we provide for our own happiness.”

IfsQualityCompassionSourceConcernPatienceFruitToleranceDefinedCompassionateSpiritual WisdomBeing HappyTibetanPatience And LoveLove And ForgivenessConcern For OthersPatience Love
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Religion is important for humanity, but it should evolve with humanity. The first priority is to establish and develop the principle of pluralism in all religious traditions. If we, the religious leaders, cultivate a sincere pluralistic attitude, then everything will be more simple. It is good that most religious leaders are at least beginning to recognize other traditions, even though they may not approve of them. The next step is to accept that the idea of propagating religion is outdated. It no longer suits the times.”

IfsShouldFirstsMayImportantIdeasReligionHumanityNextReligiousSimpleAttitudeLeaderAcceptingStepsPrinciplesTraditionPrioritiesSuitsEvolveSincereNext StepsPluralismOutdatedReligious LeadersReligious TraditionsPluralism Is
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Until you have the inner discipline that brings calmness of mind, external facilities and conditions will never bring the joy and happiness you seek. On the other hand, if you possess this inner quality, calmness of mind, a degree of stability within, even if you lack the various external factors that you would normally require to be happy, it will still be possible to live a happy and joyful life.”

IfsMindStillsHandsJoyQualityConditionsDisciplineWords Of WisdomDegreesVariousHappyFactorsStabilityJoyfulSelf ControlSelf DisciplineBeing HappyCalmnessFacilityTrue HappinessWise Man Once SaidTibetanJoy And HappinessLife Well LivedStay CalmJoyful Life
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Scientists are coming to recognise the effects of the mind on physical health. The sense of relaxation associated with inner peace involves not only being physically at ease. If you are nagged by worry or seething with anger, you’re not really relaxed. The key to relaxation is peace of mind. The relaxation gained from alcohol, drugs or just listening to music may seem attractive, but it doesn’t last.”

IfsMindMaySeemsLastsWorryEffectsKeysListeningDrugScientistAlcoholInner PeaceEaseAttractivePeace Of MindRelaxationRelaxedListening To MusicRecogniseJust ListenPhysical HealthSeething
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Let us cultivate love and compassion, both of which give life true meaning. This is the religion I preach. It is simple. Its temple is the heart. Its teaching is love and compassion. Its moral values are loving and respecting others, whoever they may be. Whether one is a lay person or a monastic, we have no other option if we wish to survive in this world.”

IfsWorldGivingHeartMayPersonsValuesWishSimpleCompassionMoralTeachingThis WorldLaysTemplesInspirational LoveRespecting OthersLove And CompassionTrue LifeMoral ValuesTrue Meaning
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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“If we can manage to refrain from harming others in our everyday actions and words, we can start to give more serious attention to actively doing good, and this can be a source of great joy and inner confidence. We can benefit others through our actions by being warm and generous toward them, by being charitable, and by helping those in need.”

IfsNeedsGivingHelpingActionJoyAttentionSeriousSourceConfidenceBenefitsEverydayWordsWarmManageGenerousOur ActionsDoing GoodRefrainCharitableCaring For OthersGreat JoyDo Unto OthersThose In NeedHarming Others
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Anger cannot be overcome by anger. If someone is angry with you, and you show anger in return, the result is a disaster. On the other hand, if you control your anger and show its opposite - love, compassion, tolerance and patience - not only will you remain peaceful, but the other person's anger will also diminish.”

IfsPersonsShowsHandsResultsCompassionReturnOppositesOvercomingPatienceAngryToleranceDisasterPeacefulPeace Of MindDiminishAnger ManagementPeacekeeping
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The more you think about your own self, the more self-centred you are, the more trouble even small problems can create in your mind. The stronger your sense of 'I', the narrower the scope of your thinking becomes; then even small obstacles become unbearable. On the other hand, if you concern yourself mainly with others, the broader your thinking becomes, and life's inevitable difficulties disturb you less.”

IfsThinkingMindSelfProblemHandsTroubleConcernDifficultyStrongerObstaclesInevitableScopeDisturbingUnbearableSelf CenteredEgoismCaring For OthersTibetanNarrow-mindedBroadmindednessSmall Problems
Author:Dalai Lama
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“If you have peace of mind, when you meet with problems and difficulties they won’t disturb your inner peace. You’ll be able to employ your human intelligence more effectively. But, if your mental state is disturbed, full of emotion, it is very difficult to cope with problems, because the mind that is full of emotion is biased, unable to see reality. So whatever you do will be unrealistic and naturally fail.”

IfsMindHumansStatesProblemRealityAbleDifficultEmotionFailingDifficultyIntelligenceInner PeacePeace Of MindDisturbedDisturbanceBiasedHuman Intelligence
Author:Dalai Lama
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“If we are demoralized, sad and only complain, we’ll not solve our problems. If we only pray for a solution, we’ll not solve our problems. We need to face them, to deal with them without violence, but with confidence - and never give up. If you adopt a non-violent approach, but are also hesitant within, you’ll not succeed. You have to have confidence and keep up your efforts - in other words, never give up.”

IfsNeedsGivingProblemFacesDealsEffortViolenceConfidencePrayingWords Of WisdomSadSucceedGiving UpApproachSolutionsSolveComplainingViolentSpiritual WisdomWithin YouNever Giving UpHave ConfidenceTibetanGiving Up Is Not An OptionNon ViolentHesitantDemoralized
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We can't be useful to ourselves unless we're useful to others .... Anyone concerned only by his own well-being will suffer eventually. Anyone concerned with the well-being of others takes care of himself without even thinking about it. Even if we decide to remain selfish. let us be intelligently selfish - let us help others.”

IfsThinkingWellsHelpingCareSufferingWords Of WisdomConcernedTake CareSelfishHelping OthersWell BeingCaring For OthersTibetan
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Through constant familiarity, we can definitely establish new behavior patterns, using our tendency to form habits to our advantage. If we make a steady effort, I think we can overcome any form of negative conditioning and make positive changes in our lives. But we need to remember that genuine change doesn't happen overnight.”

IfsThinkingNeedsHappensRememberFormEffortOur LivesHabitBehaviorAdvantageNegativeOvercomingConstantPersonal GrowthPatternsGenuineTendenciesSteadyFamiliarityConditioningPositive ChangeBehavior Patterns
Author:Dalai Lama
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“If each of us can learn to relate to each other more out of compassion, with a sense of connection to each other and a deep recognition of our common humanity, and more important, to teach this to our children, I believe that this can go a long way in reducing many of the conflicts and problems that we see today.”

IfsWayBelieveChildrenLongImportantProblemTodayHumanityI BelieveCommonCompassionTeachConflictConnectionsOur ChildrenRecognitionRelateSolidarityLong WayReducingConnectednessCommonalityCommon Humanity
Book:The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World
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“It seems to me that self confidence and the ability to stand one's ground are essential if we want to succeed in life. I am not talking of stupid self-assurance but of an awareness of our inner potential, a certainty that we can always correct our behavior, improve ourselves, enrich ourselves, and that things are never hopeless”

IfsWantSelfSeemsAbilityTalkingAwarenessStupidSucceedEssentialsBehaviorSelf ConfidenceCertaintyHopelessAssuranceNot TalkingSelf Assurance
Author:Dalai Lama
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