Quotessence
Home / Authors / Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

Author

Filter quotes by topic

AllIfsHumansCompassionMindBuddhistPeopleInspirationalSpiritualWayNeedsWorldThinkingSufferingHuman BeingsTibetanImportantHelpingPracticeProblemShould

Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“Non-violence means dialogue, using our language, the human language. Dialogue means compromise; respecting each other’s rights; in the spirit of reconciliation there is a real solution to conflict and disagreement. There is no hundred percent winner, no hundred percent loser—not that way but half-and-half. That is the practical way, the only way.”

WayInspirationalHumansMeanRealSpiritLanguageHalfRightsViolenceConflictSolutionsPercentHundredPracticalsDialogueCompromiseWinnerLoserReconciliationDisagreementNon ViolenceHuman Language
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“Each of us in our own way can try to spread compassion into people's hearts. Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the human brain with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the human heart with compassion. This is what the real role of religion is.”

PeopleWayInspirationalTryingHumansHeartRealSeemsCareBrainCompassionRolesIgnoranceCivilizationImportanceWesternSpreadThese DaysHuman HeartFillingHuman BrainWestern Civilization
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“From one point of view we can say that we have human bodies and are practicing the Buddha's teachings and are thus much better than insects. But we can also say that insects are innocent and free from guile, where as we often lie and misrepresent ourselves in devious ways in order to achieve our ends or better ourselves. From this perspective, we are much worse than insects.”

WayHumansEndsBodyLyingOrderViewsTeachingAchievePerspectivePoint Of ViewInnocentBuddhistInsectsHuman BodyDeviousGuile
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“When the days become longer and there is more sunshine, the grass becomes fresh and, consequently, we feel very happy. On the other hand, in autumn, one leaf falls down and another leaf falls down. The beautiful plants become as if dead and we do not feel very happy. Why? I think it is because deep down our human nature likes construction, and does not like destruction. Naturally, every action which is destructive is against human nature. Constructiveness is the human way. Therefore, I think that in terms of basic human feeling, violence is not good. Non-violence is the only way.”

IfsThinkingWayFeelsHumansDoeFeelingsHandsActionBeautifulFallTermViolenceHuman NatureDestructionDown AndPlantLikesBuddhistGrassDestructiveSunshineAutumnConstructionVery HappyLeafsFalling DownDeep DownNon Violence
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“The key to genuine happiness is in our hands. To think this way is to discover the essential values of kindness, brotherly love and altruism. The more clearly we see the benefits of these values, the more we will seek to reject anything that opposes them; in this way we will be able to bring about inner transformation.”

ThinkingWayLoveHandsAbleHappinessValuesKindnessKeysEssentialsBenefitsTransformationGenuineBuddhistRejectsAltruismCore ValuesBrotherlyBrotherly LoveGenuine Happiness
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“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
Create image

“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
Create image

“All the world’s major religions, with their emphasis on love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness, can and do promote inner values. But the reality of the world today is that grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate. This is why I believe the time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and ethics that is beyond religion.”

ThinkingWorldWayLoveRealityTodayValuesSpiritualityCompassionMajorsEthicsConvincedToleranceEmphasisAdequateWay Of ThinkingWorld TodayGrounding
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“My call for a spiritual revolution is not a call for a religious revolution. Nor is it a reference to a way of life that is somehow otherworldly, still less to something magical or mysterious. Rather it is a call for a radical reorientation away from our habitual preoccupation with self. It is a call to turn toward the wider community of beings with whom we are connected, and for conduct which recognizes others' interests alongside our own.”

WayStillsSelfSpiritualTurnsInterestCommunityReligiousCompassionRevolutionConnectedMysteriousRadicalHabitualPreoccupation
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“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
Create image

“Human beings by nature want happiness and do not want suffering. With that feeling everyone tries to achieve happiness and tries to get rid of suffering, and everyone has the basic right to do this. In this way, all here are the same, whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated, Easterner or Westerner, believer or non-believer, and within believers whether Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and so on. Basically, from the viewpoint of real human value we are all the same.”

WayWantTryingHumansRealFeelingsChristianSufferingValuesHuman BeingsPoorRichAchieveBelieverEducatedBuddhistViewpointsUneducatedHuman ValuesRich Or PoorWesternersReal HumanNon Believer
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“Self-discipline, although difficult, and not always easy while combating negative emotions, should be a defensive measure. At least we will be able to prevent the advent of negative conduct dominated by negative emotion. That is 'shila', or moral ethics. Once we develop this by familiarizing ourselves with it, along with mindfulness and conscientiousness, eventually that pattern and way of life will become a part of our own life.”

WayShouldSelfAbleEasyDifficultEmotionMoralDisciplineMindfulnessEthicsNegativePatternsSelf DisciplineAdventNegative EmotionsMoral EthicsConscientiousness
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

“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
Create image

“There is competition, but it is used in a good way. It is positive to want to go first, provided the intention is to pave the way for others, make their path more easy, help them, or show the way. Competition is negative when we wish to defeat others, to bring them down in order to lift ourselves up.”

WayWantFirstsHelpingShowsUsedOrderWishEasyPathNegativeCompetitionIntentionDefeatLiftsGood Way
Book:Imagine All the People: A Conversation with the Dalai Lama on Money, Politics, and Life As It Could Be
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

“If humanity is to survive, happiness and inner balance are crucial. Otherwise the lives of our children and their children are more likely to be unhappy, desperate and short. Material development certainly contributes to happiness - to some extent - and a comfortable way of life. But this is not sufficient. To achieve a deeper level of happiness we cannot neglect our inner development.”

IfsWayChildrenHumanityLevelsAchieveMaterialsDevelopmentBalanceComfortableOur ChildrenDeeperUnhappySufficientDesperateNeglectCrucial
Author:Dalai Lama
Create image

“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
Create image

“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
Create image

“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
Create image