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Dalai Lama

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or nonbelieving, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones. We all experience pain when we suffer loss and joy when we achieve what we seek. On this fundamental level, religion, ethnicity, culture, and language make no difference.”

MenWantInspirationalNeedsDreamPainJoySufferingCultureLanguageBlackDifferencesReligiousLossWhitePoorLevelsWorryRichShareAchieveEqualAnd LoveSafetyFundamentalsEducatedBuddhistOur FamilyChanging The WorldBrownLoved OnesShelterAspireEthnicityHaving HopeIlliterateBlack WhiteBasic NeedsRich Or PoorWorry FearCulture And LanguageFears And Dreams
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“Just as we take for granted the need to acquire proficiency in the basic academic subjects, I am hopeful that a time will come when we can take it for granted that children will learn, as part of the curriculum, the indispensability of inner values: love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness.”

LoveNeedsChildrenValuesPeaceJusticeCompassionLearningSubjectsForgivenessBuddhistGrantedAcquireHopefulAcademicIndispensableCurriculumTeaching ChildrenCore ValuesChildren LearningTaking Things For GrantedLove And ForgivenessProficiency
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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
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“I call the light and high aspects of my being spirit and the dark and heavy aspects soul. Soul is at home in the deep, shaded valleys. Heavy torpid flowers saturated with black grow there. The rivers flow like warm syrup. They empty into huge oceans of soul. Spirit is a land of high white peaks and glittering jewel-like lakes and flowers. Life is sparse and sounds travel great distances. There is soul music, soul food, and soul love... People need to climb the mountain not simple because it is there But because the soulful divinity needs to be mated with the spirit.”

PeopleNeedsSoulHomeLightLife IsSpiritGrowsSoundBlackDarkSimpleWhiteLandFlowerHugeMountainOceanAspectFlowRiversEmptyDistanceHeavyWarmDivinityClimbsLakesValleysJewelsSoulfulSaturatedMusic SoulSyrupFood For The SoulFlower Life
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“We can reject everything else: religion, ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the necessity of love and compassion. This, then, is my true religion, my simple faith. In this sense, there is no need for temple or church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine, or dogma. Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need.”

LoveNeedsMindHeartMatterPhilosophyChurchSimpleCompassionRightsDignityComplicatedDoctrineIdeologyTemplesRejectsDogmaLove And CompassionMosquesTrue ReligionSynagogueCompassion For OthersSimple Faith
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“When young we have a vivid sense of basic values like trust and warm-heartedness, which we tend to neglect in today's competitive world as we grow up, yet from birth we all have a need for affection. The emotions we experience today have not changed much over the last few thousand years, but the interest increasing numbers of people are showing in their inner world and how their emotions work is a sign of maturity.”

PeopleWorldNeedsYearsTodayLastsYoungValuesGrowsInterestNumbersEmotionGrowing UpChangedTrustBirthThousandAgingAffectionWarmBuddhistMaturityNeglectAffectedThousand YearsVividInner WorldCore Values
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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
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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
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“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.”

NeedsHumansGodProblemTodayFacesSpiritualityPeaceUnderstandingEffortResponsibilityPovertySharePlanetsDevelopmentConflictDestructionUniversalHungerViolentBrotherhoodSisterhoodSense Of ResponsibilityEnding PovertyRoot CauseHunger PovertyDestruction Of Nature
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“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
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“We need to take action to develop compassion, to create inner peace within ourselves and to share that inner peace with our family and friends. Peace and warm-heartednes s can then spread through the community just as ripples radiate out across the water when you drop a pebble into a pond”

InspirationalNeedsWisdomActionSpiritualPeaceWaterChangeCommunityCompassionFamilyKindnessShareBuddhismFriendsWise WordsWords Of WisdomCreatingEmpathyTransformationSpreadWarmInner PeaceBuddhistDevelopingOur FamilySympathyFamily And FriendsMonkMaking ChangesDroppingWise Man Once SaidFinding PeacePondsRippleTibetanPebblesSpiritual TransformationPeace WithinRipple Effect
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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
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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
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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.”

PeopleThinkingNeedsHumansSelfSometimesHelpingWisdomCareSpiritualValuesInterestHuman BeingsPayAttentionMistakeCompassionCourageWiseHuman NatureDevelopmentConfidenceWise WordsWords Of WisdomBenefitsConcernConcernedCaringTake CareSelf ConfidenceHelping OthersSensesDevelopingPay AttentionInner StrengthSpiritual WisdomOpposingSense Of SelfEgoismCaring For OthersTibetan
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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
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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
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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
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“Material objects give rise to physical happiness, while spiritual development gives rise to mental happiness. Since we experience both physical and mental happiness, we need both material and spiritual development. This is why, for our own good and that of society we need to balance material progress with inner development.”

NeedsGivingWisdomHappinessSpiritualProgressSocietyObjectsMaterialsBuddhismDevelopmentBalanceExperienceHarmonyImprovementBuddhistSpiritual WisdomMentalityBeing HappySpiritual DevelopmentPhysicalityMateriality
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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
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“Each one of us is responsible for the whole of humankind. We need to think of each other really as brothers and sisters and to be concerned for each other’s welfare. Rather than working solely to acquire wealth, we need to do something meaningful, something directed seriously towards the welfare of humanity as a whole.”

ThinkingNeedsWholeHumanityWealthBrotherWords Of WisdomConcernedResponsibleMeaningfulWelfareAcquireWorking TogetherSpiritual WisdomHumankindBrothers And SistersSisterTibetanMeaningfulnessWe Need Each Other
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“Learning is the first step in making positive changes within yourself. Other factors are conviction, determination, action & effort. Learning & education help develop conviction about the need to change & increase your commitment. Conviction then develops into determination. Next, strong determination leads to action: a sustained effort to implement the changes. This final factor of effort is critical.”

NeedsFirstsHelpingActionNextStrongEffortStepsCommitmentDeterminationIncreaseFinalsConvictionCriticalFactorsFirst StepsNeed A ChangePositive ChangeStrong Determination
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“In today's highly interdependent world, individuals and nations can no longer resolve many of their problems by themselves. We need one another. It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members, and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.”

WorldNeedsProblemTodayIndividualNationsResponsibilitySupportEnvironmentProtectMembersPreservesCollectivesResolveNurtureIndividual ResponsibilityResponsibility To Protect
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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
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