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Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“An affectionate disposition not only makes the mind more peaceful and calm, but it affects our body in a positive way too. On the other hand, hatred, jealousy and fear upset our peace of mind, make us agitated and affect our body adversely. Even our body needs peace of mind and is not suited to agitation. This shows that an appreciation for peace of mind is in our blood.”

WayNeedsMindShowsBodyHandsFearBloodHealthHatredCalmAppreciationPeacefulBuddhistJealousyUpsetPeace Of MindDispositionAffectionateAgitationLove And Affection
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The most important thing is practice in daily life; then you can know gradually the true value of religion. Doctrine is not meant for mere knowledge, but for the improvement of our minds. In order to do that, it must be part of our life. If you put religious doctrine in a building and when you leave the building depart from the practices, you cannot gain its value.”

IfsKnowsMindImportantValuesOrderReligiousPracticeOur LivesBuildingGainsImportant ThingsMereImprovementDoctrineDaily LifeTrue Value
Book:Kindness, Clarity, and Insight
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“From the viewpoint of absolute truth, what we feel and experience in our ordinary daily life is all delusion. Of all the various delusions, the sense of discrimination between oneself and others is the worst form, as it creates nothing but unpleasantness for both sides. If we can realize and meditate on ultimate truth, it will cleanse our impurities of mind and thus eradicate the sense of discrimination. This will help to create true love for one another. The search for ultimate truth is, therefore, vitally important.”

IfsFeelsMindImportantHelpingFormLife IsSidesRealizingWorstTruth IsOrdinaryUltimateAbsolutesOneselfVariousDiscriminationDelusionDaily LifeBoth SidesViewpointsAbsolute TruthImpurityUltimate Truth
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.”

ThinkingInspirationalMindHumansLittlesRealHappinessValuesSpiritualityInterestEmotionSourceCalmInner PeaceHelpfulAvoidedGood HealthHuman IntelligenceReal HappinessInner Peace And HappinessCalm Mind
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Developing inner values is much like physical exercise. The more we train our abilities, the stronger they become. The difference is that, unlike the body, when it comes to training the mind, there is no limit to how far we can go.”

MindBodySpiritualValuesDifferencesAbilityBuddhismDevelopmentBecomingExerciseLimitsTrainingStrongerTrainBuddhistDevelopingLimitationSpiritual WisdomLimitlessFinding HappinessPhysicalityPhysical ExerciseGetting StrongerTraining The Mind
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The practice of patience guards us against losing our presence of mind. It enables us to remain undisturbed, even when the situation is really difficult. It gives us a certain amount of inner peace, which allows us some self-control, so that we can choose to respond to situations in an appropriate and compassionate manner, rather than being driven by our disturbing emotions.”

InspirationalGivingMindSelfCertainPeaceDifficultEmotionSituationPracticeAmountLosingPatienceDrivenInner PeaceBuddhistAppropriatePeace Of MindCompassionateSelf ControlDisturbingBe PatientRespondingGuardingPresence Of Mind
Author:Dalai Lama
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“There needs to be understanding that anger never helps to solve a problem. It destroys our peace of mind and blinds our ability to think clearly. Anger and attachment are emotions that distort our view of reality.”

ThinkingNeedsMindHelpingProblemWisdomRealityPeaceUnderstandingAbilityViewsEmotionClearWiseBuddhismWise WordsWords Of WisdomAngerBlindSolveBuddhistAttachmentPeace Of MindDestroyingSpiritual WisdomDeep ThoughtDistortionAnger ManagementTibetan
Author:Dalai Lama
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“There is no denying that consideration of others is worthwhile and that our happiness is inextricably bound up with the happiness of others. There is no denying that if society suffers, we ourselves suffer, and the more our hearts and minds are afflicted with ill-will, the more miserable we become. We can reject religion, ideology, received wisdom, but we cannot escape the need for love and compassion.”

IfsLoveNeedsMindHeartHappinessReligionSufferingCompassionKindnessSocietyBoundsIllIdeologyBuddhistMiserableConsiderationRejectsWorthwhileHeart And MindCaring For OthersLove And CompassionIll WillInteracting With Others
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Material progress and a higher standard of living bring us greater comfort and health, but do not lead to a transformation of the mind, which is the only thing capable of providing lasting peace. Profound happiness, unlike fleeting pleasures, is spiritual in nature. It depends on the happiness of others and it is based on love and affection.”

LoveMindHappinessSpiritualPeacePleasureGreaterProgressMaterialsHealthDependsHigherComfortCapableStandardsTransformationProfoundAffectionBuddhistLastingProvidingFleetingStandards Of LivingSpiritual TransformationHigher StandardsLove And Affection
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Education is the proper way to promote compassion and tolerance in society. Compassion and peace of mind bring a sense of confidence that reduce stress and anxiety, whereas anger and hatred come from frustration and undermine our sense of trust. Because of ignorance, many of our problems are our own creation. Education, however, is the instrument that increases our ability to employ our own intelligence.”

WayMindProblemWisdomSpiritualPeaceAbilityEducationCompassionSocietyCreationIgnoranceTrustConfidenceWords Of WisdomAnxietyHatredIncreaseStressAngerInstrumentsIntelligenceToleranceSensesFrustrationPeace Of MindPromotingReducingTibetanUnderminingEmployingStress And AnxietyReduce Stress
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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“We need to strengthen such inner values as contentment, patience and tolerance, as well as compassion for others. Keeping in mind that it is expressions of affection rather than money and power that attract real friends, compassion is the key to ensuring our own well-being.”

NeedsMindWellsRealWisdomValuesFriendshipMoneyCompassionPowerExpressionBuddhismKeysFriendsWise WordsWords Of WisdomEmpathyPatienceAffectionToleranceBuddhistWell BeingContentmentSympathyReal FriendsMonkBe PatientWise Man Once SaidTibetanMoney And PowerCompassion For OthersPatience And Tolerance
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Although we are all the same in not wanting problems and wanting a peaceful life, we tend to create a lot of problems for ourselves. Encountering those problems, anger develops and overwhelms our mind, which leads to violence. A good way to counter this and to work for a more peaceful world is to develop concern for others. Then our anger, jealousy and other destructive emotions will naturally weaken and diminish.”

WorldWayLifeMindProblemWisdomPeaceEmotionViolenceBuddhismDevelopmentCreatingConcernAngerPeacefulBuddhistJealousyDestructiveOverwhelmingDiminishGood WayWeakeningPeaceful WorldPeaceful LifeConcern For Others
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Compassion suits our physical condition, whereas anger, fear and distrust are harmful to our well-being. Therefore, just as we learn the importance of physical hygiene to physical health, to ensure healthy minds, we need to learn some kind of emotional hygiene.”

NeedsMindWellsKindWisdomBodyFearCompassionLearningConditionsEmotionalHealthBuddhismHealthyImportanceAngerMental HealthHarmSuitsBuddhistWell BeingSpiritual WisdomDistrustHygienePhysicalityPhysical HealthHealthy MindSpiritual Health
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We have a largely materialistic lifestyle characterized by a materialistic culture. However, this only provides us with temporary, sensory satisfaction, whereas long-term satisfaction is based not on the senses but on the mind. That’s where real tranquility is to be found. And peace of mind turns out to be a significant factor in our physical health too.”

MindLongRealTurnsCultureFoundTermSatisfactionLifestyleSensesSignificantFactorsLong TermPeace Of MindTemporaryTranquilityMaterialisticSensoryPhysical HealthMateriality
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Foolish, selfish people are always thinking of themselves and the result is always negative. Wise persons think of others, helping them as much as they can, and the result is happiness. Love and compassion are beneficial both for you and others. Through your kindness to others, your mind and heart will open to peace.”

PeopleThinkingMindHeartPersonsHelpingResultsCompassionKindnessWiseNegativeSelfishFoolishBe KindHeart And MindBeneficialLove And CompassionAlways ThinkingKindness To OthersWise PersonSelfish PeopleHappiness Love
Book:How to Expand Love: Widening the Circle of Loving Relationships
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“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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“The most important benefit of patience consists in the way it acts as a powerful antidote to the affliction of anger - the greatest threat to our inner peace, and therefore our happiness. The mind, or spirit, is not physical, it cannot be touched or harmed directly. Only negative thoughts and emotions can harm it. Therefore, only the corresponding positive quality can protect it.”

WayMindImportantSpiritPowerfulEmotionQualityProtectBenefitsNegativePatienceThreatHarmHappyInner PeaceTouchedPeace Of MindBeing HappyAfflictionAntidoteNegative ThoughtsTibetanCorrespondingThoughts And Emotions
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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“Although you can find certain differences among the Buddhist philosophical schools about how the universe came into being, the basic common question addressed is how the two fundamental principles-external matter and internal mind or consciousness-although distinct, affect one another. External causes and conditions are responsible for certain of our experiences of happiness and suffering. Yet we find that it is principally our own feelings, our thoughts and our emotions, that really determine whether we are going to suffer or be happy.”

MindTwoMatterFeelingsSchoolHappinessCertainSufferingUniverseCausesDifferencesCommonEmotionConsciousnessPrinciplesConditionsPhilosophicalResponsibleFundamentalsDetermineBuddhistInternalsOur ThoughtsFundamental Principles
Book:Dzogchen: The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection
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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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