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Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“I feel that a genuine, affectionate smile is very important in our day-to-day lives. How one creates that smile largely depends on one's own attitude. It is illogical to expect smiles from others if one does not smile oneself. Therefore, one can see that many things depend on one's own behaviour.”

IfsFeelsDoeImportantAttitudeDependsOneselfGenuineBehaviourDay To DayAffectionateIllogicalDay LifeDay To Day Life
Book:The Power of Compassion: A Collection of Lectures
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“Everyone wants to be happy; happiness is a right. And while on a secondary level differences exist of nationality, faith, family background, social status and so on, more important is that on a human level we are the same. None of us wants to face problems, and yet we create them by stressing our differences. If we see each other just as fellow human beings, there'll be no basis for fighting or conflict between us.”

IfsWantHumansImportantProblemFacesFightingSocialDifferencesHuman BeingsLevelsConflictBasesStressFellowsHappyBackgroundsNationalityBeing ThereSamenessWant To Be HappySocial StatusFamily Background
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Any issue, including political, economic and religious activities human beings pursue in this world, should be fully understood before we pass our judgement. Therefore, it is very important to know the causes. Whatever the issue, we should be able to see the complete picture. This will enable us to comprehend the whole story.”

KnowsWorldShouldHumansImportantWholeStoriesAblePoliticalCausesReligiousHuman BeingsIssuesEconomicThis WorldActivityUnderstoodIncludingPursueJudgement
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The more adept we become at cultivating an altruistic attitude, the happier we will feel and the more comfortable will be the atmosphere around us. But if our emotions fluctuate wildly and we easily give in to hatred and jealousy, even our friends will avoid us. So even for people with no spiritual beliefs, it is important to have a peaceful mind.”

PeopleIfsGivingFeelsMindImportantSpiritualBeliefEmotionAttitudeComfortableHatredPeacefulJealousyAtmospherePeace Of MindSpiritual WisdomAltruismTibetanCultivatingAdeptFluctuationPeaceful MindSpiritual BeliefsHatred And Jealousy
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Once you develop confidence in your own ability, you'll be able to make a real contribution to creating a better world. Self-confidence is very important. Not in the sense of blind pride, but as a realistic awareness of what you can do. As human beings we can transform ourselves by our good qualities and reducing our faults. Our intelligence enables us to judge what is good from what is harmful.”

WorldHumansImportantRealSelfAbleCan DoHuman BeingsAbilityQualityAwarenessJudgingPrideConfidenceCreatingBlindFaultsIntelligenceGoodSelf ConfidenceContributionRealisticReducingGood QualitySelf TransformationSelf Efficacy
Author:Dalai Lama
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“In order to develop the willpower it takes to sacrifice, you must first realize that spending all your time and energy pursuing material comforts means you will eventually suffer. It's all about positive and negative consequences. It's very important to be aware that there are long-term consequences [for every action].”

FirstsMeanLongImportantActionSufferingOrderEnergyTermRealizingSacrificeMaterialsComfortConsequenceNegativeSpendingLong TermWillpowerTime And EnergyNegative Consequences
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The antidote to hatred in the heart, the source of violence, is tolerance. Tolerance is an important virtue of bodhisattvas [enlightened heroes and heroines] - it enables you to refrain from reacting angrily to the harm inflicted on you by others. You could call this practice "inner disarmament," in that a well-developed tolerance makes you free from the compulsion to counterattack. For the same reason, we also call tolerance the "best armor," since it protects you from being conquered by hatred itself.”

WellsHeartImportantReasonPracticeVirtueViolenceSourceHeroProtectHatredHarmToleranceEnlightenedCompulsionAntidoteArmorRefrainDisarmamentHeroinesReactingProtect YouBodhisattvaHeroes And Heroines
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
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The most important thing in life is human affection. Without it one cannot achieve genuine happiness. And if we want a happier life, a happier family, happier neighbours or a happier nation, the key is inner quality. Even if the five billion human beings that inhabit the earth become millionaires, without inner development there cannot be peace or any lasting happiness.”

IfsWantHumansImportantEarthLife IsNationsHuman BeingsQualityFiveAchieveKeysDevelopmentImportant ThingsAffectionBillionsGenuineLastingThings In LifeNeighbourMillionaireMost Important Things In LifeHappier LifeLasting HappinessGenuine Happiness
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.”

ImportantFriendshipMorningGratitudeImportant ThingsExcellenceAppreciationMeaningfulNew DayOld DaysPassing AwayOld FriendsGood MorningNew FriendsHave A Good DayBeautiful MorningMorning InspirationalBeautiful DayFunny Good MorningNew Day New BeginningGood Morning InspirationalGreetings In The MorningMeaningful FriendshipToday Is A New DayOld FriendshipZen LifeGood Morning BeautifulMaking New FriendsGood Day InspirationalBuddhist Meditation
Author:Dalai Lama
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“All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.”

LoveShouldImportantSpiritualityReligiousCompassionMajorsMessagesTraditionImportant ThingsKarmaBuddhistDaily LifeThought ProvokingDaily MotivationTibetanLove And CompassionSpiritual AwarenessTibetReligious TraditionsWhat Is ForgivenessLove And ForgivenessForgiveness LoveCompassion For YourselfForgiveness And PeaceMercy And Compassion
Author:Dalai Lama
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“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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“There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide. No matter what people call you, you are just who you are. Keep to this truth. You must ask yourself how is it you want to live your life. We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone. No one can help us, not even the Buddha. So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?”

PeopleWayWantLifeMindImportantMatterHelpingFacesSpiritualDiesAsksNo Matter WhatWho You AreGuidesLive Your Life
Author:Dalai Lama
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“One problem with our current society is that we have an attitude towards education as if it is there to simply make you more clever, make you more ingenious... Even though our society does not emphasize this, the most important use of knowledge and education is to help us understand the importance of engaging in more wholesome actions and bringing about discipline within our minds. The proper utilization of our intelligence and knowledge is to effect changes from within to develop a good heart.”

IfsInspirationalMindHeartDoeImportantHelpingUseProblemActionAttitudeEffectsDisciplineImportanceCurrentsCleverOur SocietyEngagingIngeniousGood HeartEducation And KnowledgeUtilizationUse Of Knowledge
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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“In Buddhism, both learning and practice are extremely important, and they must go hand in hand. Without knowledge, just to rely on faith, faith, and more faith is good but not sufficient. So the intellectual part must definitely be present. At the same time, strictly intellectual development without faith and practice, is also of no use. It is necessary to combine knowledge born from study with sincere practice in our daily lives. These two must go together.”

TwoImportantUseHandsTogetherBornPracticeLearningStudyBuddhismDevelopmentIntellectualBuddhistSufficientRelyDaily LifeSincereHand In HandIntellectual Development
Author:Dalai Lama
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“It is time to fill the world with strong and powerful deeds. It is common knowledge that no great captain in the world has ever destroyed all of his enemies and lived with a sense of satisfaction. If one enemy is killed, two more will appear. It is important we cultivate love and compassion to all the sentient beings which is the way to bring peace to all.”

IfsWorldWayTwoImportantActionStrongPowerfulCommonActingCompassionEnemySatisfactionDeedsDestroyedCaptainsLove And CompassionSentient BeingsCommon Knowledge
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Lack of understanding of the true nature of happiness, it seems to me, is the principal reason why people inflict sufferings on others. They think either that the other's pain may somehow be a cause of happiness for themselves or that their own happiness is more important, regardless of what pain it may cause. But this is shortsighted. No one truly benefits from causing harm to another sentient being. . . . . In the long run causing others misery and infringing their rights to peace and happiness result in anxiety, fear, and suspicion within oneself.”

PeopleThinkingMayLongImportantReasonSeemsRunningPainSufferingCausesUnderstandingResultsCompassionRightsAnxietyBenefitsMiseryOneselfHarmReason WhyLong RunsSuspicionPrincipalTrue NaturePeace And HappinessSentient BeingsLack Of Understanding
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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“From a Buddhist point of view, the actual experience of death is very important. Although how or where we will be reborn is generally dependent on karmic forces, our state of mind at the time of death can influence the quality of our next rebirth. So at the moment of death, in spite of the great variety of karmas we have accumulated, if we make a special effort to generate a virtuous state of mind, we may strengthen and activate a virtuous karma, and so bring about a happy rebirth.”

IfsMindMayImportantStatesMomentsDeathNextForceViewsEffortQualityInfluenceSpecialDyingPoint Of ViewKarmaBuddhistVarietySpiteDependentState Of MindVirtuousRebirthRebornActivate
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Every noble work is bound to face problems and obstacles. It is important to check your goal and motivation thoroughly. One should be very truthful, honest, and reasonable. One's actions should be good for others, and for oneself as well. Once a positive goal is chosen, you should decide to pursue it all the way to the end. Even if it is not realized, at least there will be no regret.”

IfsWayShouldWellsImportantEndsProblemActionFacesMotivationGoalHonestRegretAdversityBoundsOneselfObstaclesBe GoodNobleChecksChosenPursueReasonableTruthfulNo RegretsGoals And Motivation
Book:Path To Tranquility
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