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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“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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“Those who like myself, consider themselves to be followers of Buddha, should practice as much as we can. To followers of other religious traditions, I would like to say, 'Please practice your own religion seriously and sincerely.' And to non-believers, I request you to try to be warm-hearted. I ask this of you because these mental attitudes actually bring us happiness.”

ShouldTryingAsksReligiousAttitudePracticePleaseTraditionWarmBelieverFollowersSincerelyHeartedRequestMental AttitudeReligious TraditionsNon BelieverWarm Hearted
Author:Dalai Lama
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“‎In today's materialistic world there is a risk of people becoming slaves to money, as though they were simply cogs in a huge money-making machine. This does nothing for human dignity, freedom, and genuine well-being. Wealth should serve humanity, and not the other way around.”

PeopleWorldWayShouldHumansWellsDoeTodayHumanityWealthRiskHugeBecomingDignityMachinesSlaveGenuineWell BeingMaking MoneyMaterialismWise Man Once SaidMaterialisticHuman DignityCogsMaterialistic World
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Today we face many problems. Some are created essentially by ourselves based on divisions due to ideology, religion, race, economic status, or other factors. Therefore, the time has come for us to think on a deeper level, on the human level, and from that level we should appreciate and respect the sameness of others as human beings.”

ThinkingShouldHumansProblemTodayFacesHuman BeingsLevelsRaceEconomicAppreciateDeeperDuesFactorsIdeologyDivisionSamenessEconomic Status
Author:Dalai Lama
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“The way of presentation is different according to each religion. In theistic religions like Buddhism, Buddhist values are incorporated. In nontheistic religions, like some types of ancient Indian thought, the law of karma applies. If you do something good, you get a good result. Now, what we need is a way to educate nonbelievers. These nonbelievers may be critical of all religions, but they should be decent at heart.”

IfsWayNeedsShouldHeartMayDifferentLawValuesResultsBuddhismTypeAncientCriticalKarmaBuddhistIndianDecentEducatePresentationLaw Of Karma
Author:Dalai Lama
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“For a person who cherishes compassion and love, the practice of tolerance is essential, and for that, and enemy is indispinsable. So we should be grateful to our enemies, for it is they who can best help us to develop a tranquil mind.”

ShouldMindPersonsHelpingCompassionEnemyPracticeEssentialsAnd LoveGratefulToleranceCherishBe GratefulTranquil
Book:In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy
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“Each of you should feel that you have great potential and that, with self-confidence and a little more effort, change really is possible if you want it. If you feel that your present way of life is unpleasant or has some difficulties, then don't look at these negative things. See the positive side, the potential, and make an effort.”

IfsWayWantFeelsShouldLooksLittlesSelfLife IsSidesEffortNegativeDifficultySelf Confidence
Book:Illustrated Teachings of the Dalai Lama
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“Whether it is under the guise of survival and self-defence or directly expressed through dominion and greed, the failure to recognize the common humanity shared by us all lies at the heart of our difficulties. To overcome it, we should begin to develop, from the level of the individual through that of society to the world at large, what I call a sense of universal responsibility; a deep respect for every living being who lives on this one small planet and calls it home.”

WorldShouldHeartSelfHomeLyingHumanityIndividualLevelsCommonResponsibilityPlanetsSurvivalOvercomingUniversalDifficultyGreedDefenceDominionGuiseCommon HumanitySelf Defence
Author:Dalai Lama
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“There are five billion human beings and in a certain way I think we need five billion different religions, because there is such a large variety of dispositions. I believe that each individual should embark upon a spiritual path that is best suited to his or her mental disposition, natural inclination, temperament, belief, family and cultural background.”

ThinkingWayNeedsShouldBelieveHumansDifferentSpiritualCertainIndividualBeliefI BelieveNaturalHuman BeingsPathFiveBillionsBackgroundsVarietyDispositionInclinationTemperamentSpiritual PathDifferent Religions
Author:Dalai Lama
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“I think the problem is these basic sort of human values from our - from the beginning, from birth, are not sort of properly nurtured. So then our mind, our brain, through education and also difference of experiences, that eventually, these basic values or what are called dominant, not have the catching up our intelligence, experience growth, that also should grow. Then our life become more human.”

ThinkingShouldMindHumansProblemValuesGrowsGrowthDifferencesBrainOur LivesBirthDominantCatchingHuman ValuesCatching Up
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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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“We should reflect on the idea that since the beginning of time sentient beings have been mentally unstable because they have been slaves of delusion, they lack the eye of wisdom to see the path leading to nirvana and enlightenment, and they lack the necessary guidance of a spiritual teacher. Moment by moment they are indulging in negative actions, which will eventually bring about their downfall.”

InspirationalShouldHas BeensIdeasMomentsEyeActionSpiritualPathTeacherEnlightenmentNegativeSlaveGuidanceDelusionUnstableDownfallSentient BeingsSpiritual TeachersNegative Actions
Author:Dalai Lama
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“You must not procrastinate. Rather, you should make preparations so that even if you did die tonight, you would have no regrets. If you develop an appreciation for the uncertainty and imminence of death, your sense of the importance of using your time wisely will get stronger and stronger.”

IfsShouldDiesRegretImportanceStrongerAppreciationPreparationUncertaintyTonightProcrastinationNo RegretsProcrastinatingHave No RegretsStop Procrastination
Author:Dalai Lama
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“To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else. Rather than speaking badly about people and in ways that will produce friction and unrest in their lives, we should practice a purer perception of them, and when we speak of others, speak of their good qualities.”

PeopleWayShouldSpeakQualityPracticeAwarenessProduceThousandPerceptionOneselfShortcomingsFrictionGood QualityUnrest
Book:The Path to Enlightenment
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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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“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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