Quotessence
Home / Authors / Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

Author

Filter quotes by topic

AllIfsHumansCompassionMindBuddhistPeopleInspirationalSpiritualWayNeedsWorldThinkingSufferingHuman BeingsTibetanImportantHelpingPracticeProblemShould

Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“It is my dream that the entire Tibetan plateau should become a free refuge where humanity and nature can live in peace and in harmonious balance. It would be a place where people from all over the world could come to seek the true meaning of peace within themselves, away from the tensions and pressures of much of the rest of the world”

PeopleWorldShouldDreamWould BeHumanityBalancePressureContemplationTensionRefugeHarmoniousTibetanTrue MeaningPeace WithinHumanity And Nature
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“Sometimes we feel that one individual's action is very insignificant. Then we think, of course, that effects should come from channeling or from a unifying movement. But the movement of the society, community or group of people means joining individuals. Society means a collection of individuals, so that initiative must come from individuals. Unless each individual develops a sense of responsibility, the whole community cannot move. So therefore, it is very essential that we should not feel that individual effort is meaningless- you should not feel that way. We should make an effort.”

PeopleThinkingWayFeelsShouldMeanSometimesWholeActionMovingCoursesIndividualCommunityEffortResponsibilityGroupsEffectsMovementEssentialsCollectionsMeaninglessInitiativeInsignificantJoiningChannelingUnifyingSense Of ResponsibilityIndividual Effort
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“Whenever I visit a market and see the chickens crowded together in tiny cages that give them no room to move around and spread their wings and the fish slowly drowning in the air, my heart goes out to them. People have to learn to think about animals in a different way, as sentient beings who love life and fear death. I urge everyone who can to adopt a compassionate vegetarian diet.”

PeopleThinkingWayGivingHeartDifferentTogetherMovingAnimalRoomsAirMy HeartWingsFishesSpreadTinyDietsDifferent WaysLove LifeUrgesChickensVegetarianCompassionateAnimal RightsCagesDrowningFear Of DeathCrowdedSentient BeingsVegetarian Diet
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“In today’s interconnected and globalized world, it is now commonplace for people of dissimilar world views, faiths and races to live side by side. It is a matter of great urgency, therefore, that we find ways to cooperate with one another in a spirit of mutual acceptance and respect.”

PeopleWorldWayMatterTodaySpiritHumanitySidesDifferencesViewsRaceAcceptanceBuddhismRespectBuddhistMutualCooperationHumankindGlobalizationCommonplaceUrgencyViewpointsUnity In DiversityInterconnectedWorld ViewCultural DiversityCultural DifferencesPeace And Unity
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“Being concerned about other people is especially relevant in today's world. If we consider the complex inter-connected ness of our modern lives, how we depend on others and others depend on us, our outlook will change. We’ll begin to see 'others' not as somehow distant from us, but as people we are in touch with, people close to us; we will no longer feel indifferent to them.”

PeopleIfsWorldFeelsTodayChangeModernBuddhismDependsConcernedComplexesConnectedBuddhistIndifferenceRelevantIndifferentDependenceOutlookModern LifeModernityClosenessPeople In Your LifeInterconnectednessToday's World
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“We should practice by showing one another love and helping one another. It is a mistake to pursue happiness and to seek to the avoid suffering by deceiving and humiliating other people. We must try to achieve happiness and eliminate suffering by being good-hearted and well-behaved.”

PeopleInspirationalShouldTryingWellsHelpingWisdomHappinessSufferingMistakePracticeKindnessAchieveBuddhismWise WordsWords Of WisdomBe GoodHappyHelping OthersPursueBuddhistReachingBe KindDeceivingAvoidingHumiliationMonkHeartedPursuit Of HappinessTrue HappinessWise Man Once SaidFinding HappinessHelping HandLove One AnotherTibetanHumiliatingEliminatingGood HeartHumiliateHappiness And LoveFeeling HappyAuthentic HappinessHappy InspirationalGood Hearted
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“These days, in our materialistic culture, many people are led to believe that money is the ultimate source of happiness. Consequently, when they don’t have enough of it they feel let down. Therefore, it is important to let people know that they have the source of contentment and happiness within themselves, and that it is related to nurturing our natural inner values.”

PeopleKnowsLifeFeelsBelieveImportantEnoughHappinessSpiritualValuesCultureNaturalMoneyWiseSourceWise WordsWords Of WisdomUltimateHappyThese DaysRelatedContentmentMaterialismNurturingFinding HappinessMaterialisticTibetanLet DownMoney Can't Buy HappinessSource Of HappinessMoney Isn't EverythingHappiness Within
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“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
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“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
Create image

“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.”

PeopleWorldLoveInspirationalShouldHumansIdeasWisdomTruthCertainGivenPeaceJusticeFreedomHuman BeingsCompassionOne ThingPossibilityBuddhismWise WordsWords Of WisdomCreatingBlameGenuineBuddhistCriticizePotentialWrongCompassionateBeing HumanMonkAttemptingConstructiveWise Man Once SaidTibetanHuman PotentialCriticiseBlaming Others
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“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
Create image

“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
Create image

“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.”

PeopleTryingHumansDoeWisdomSufferingOpportunityWishHuman BeingsLevelsCommonExistenceAttentionMembersDrawsFundamentalsWelfareAspireInterconnectedSamenessHuman Family
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“Nowadays, we are confronted by a huge gap between rich and poor. This is not only morally wrong, but practically a mistake. It leads to the rich living in anxiety and the poor living in frustration, which has the potential to lead to more violence. We have to work to reduce this gap. It's truly unfair that some people should have so much while others go hungry.”

PeopleShouldPoorMistakeRichViolenceHugeAnxietyShould HaveHungryFrustrationGapsUnfairRich And PoorUnfairness
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“People often expect the other person to respond first in a positive way, instead of taking the initiative to create that possibility. I feel that's wrong; it can act as a barrier that just promotes a feeling of isolation from others. To overcome feelings of isolation and loneliness, your underlying attitude makes a tremendous difference - approaching others with the thought of compassion in your mind is the best way.”

PeopleWayFeelsMindFirstsPersonsFeelingsDifferencesAttitudeCompassionLonelinessPossibilityWords Of WisdomOvercomingBest WayIsolationBarriersWrongInitiativeWise Man Once SaidTibetanLoneliness And SolitudeIsolation And Loneliness
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“Some people automatically associate morality and altruism with a religious vision of the world. But I believe it is a mistake to think that morality is an attribute only of religion. We can imagine two types of spirituality: one tied to religion, while the other arises spontaneously in the human heart as an expression of love for our neighbors and a desire to do them good.”

PeopleThinkingWorldBelieveHumansHeartTwoDesireSpiritualityI BelieveReligiousMistakeVisionImagineExpressionTypeMoralityNeighborGoodAriseAttributesTiedAltruismAssociatesHuman HeartNeighbourTibetanExpressions Of LoveLove Your Neighbor As Yourself
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“There is a true feminist movement in Buddhism that relates to the goddess Tārā. Following her cultivation of bodhicitta, the bodhisattva's motivation, she looked upon the situation of those striving towards full awakening and she felt that there were too few people who attained Buddhahood as women. So she vowed, 'I have developed bodhicitta as a woman. For all my lifetimes along the path I vow to be born as a woman, and in my final lifetime when I attain Buddhahood, then, too, I will be a woman.'”

PeopleMotivationFeltBornSituationPathMovementBuddhismLifetimeStriveFinalsFeministFollowingAwakeningRelateGoddessVowCultivationFeminist MovementBodhisattvaBodhicitta
Book:Path To Tranquility
Create image

“The practice of altruism is the authentic way to live as a human being, and it is not just for religious people. As human beings, our purpose is to live meaningful lives, to develop a warm heart. There is meaning in being everyone's friend. The real source of peace amongst our families, friends and neighbours is love and compassion.”

PeopleWayHumansHeartRealPurposeReligiousHuman BeingsCompassionPracticeSourceWarmMeaningfulOur FamilyAltruismFamily And FriendsNeighbourMeaningful LifeWay To LivePeople In Your LifeLove And CompassionFamily FriendsWarm Heart
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“In olden times when there was a war, it was a human-to-human confrontation. The victor in battle would directly see the blood and suffering of the defeated enemy. Nowadays, it is much more terrifying because a person in an office can push a button and kill millions of people and never see the human tragedy that he or she has created. The mechanization of war, the mechanization of human conflict, poses an increasing threat to peace.”

PeopleHumansPersonsWarSufferingEnemyMillionsBloodBattleConflictOfficeTragedyThreatButtonsDefeatedConfrontationMechanizationOlden Times
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image