The Dalai Lama Quotes
Affection is important because it counters anger, hatred and suspicion that can prevent our minds from functioning clearly.
Buddhahood is a state free of all obstructions to knowledge and disturbing emotions. It is the state in which the mind is fully evolved.
The colors of light are infinite through refraction, yet they all come from the same source. Thus I cannot detach myself from the wickedest soul, nor fail to identify with the most virtuous.
We have to make a sustained effort, again and again, to cultivate the positive aspects within us.
Looking at the pattern of our existence from birth to death, we can see the way in which we are fundamentally nurtured by other's affection.
I think that ethical behaviour is another feature of the kind of inner discipline that leads to a happier existence.
Once your mind is calm and full of love, there is no room for hatred or fear. Others will trust you because of your open heart.
As human beings we have the same experience of destructive and constructive emotions. We also have a human mind capable of developing wisdom. We all have the same Buddha nature.
May I examine my mind in all actions and as soon as a negative state occurs, since it endangers myself and others, may I firmly face and avert it.
When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves.
As far as ignorance is concerned, not just Buddhism, every religion recognizes it as the source of suffering.
Only through the development of mutual respect, and in a spirit of truth, can friendship come about. By these means it is possible to move human minds, but never by force.
Every man has the basis of good. Not only human beings, you can find it among animals and insects, for instance, when we treat a dog or horse lovingly.
In most cases, my visits to the West are for promotion of human values and religious harmony.
I don't think human affection and compassion are just religious concerns; they're indispensable factors in our day-to-day lives.
I hope that at this moment you are thinking of yourself as a human being rather than as an American, Asian, European, African, or member of any particular country. These loyalties are secondary.
What is important is to see how we can best lead a meaningful everyday life, how we can bring about peace and harmony in our minds, how we can help contribute to society.
Once you encourage the thought of compassion in your mind, once it becomes active, then your attitude towards others changes automatically.
The practicing of loving kindness toward one's enemy is the ultimate test of one's own spiritual attainment.
If you utilize obstacles properly, then they strengthen your courage, and they also give you more intelligence, more wisdom.
It is not enough to belong to a religion. You also have to put it into practice. Religion is like medicine. You have to ingest it to combat the illness.
Life does not wait: Whether we spend our lives meaningfully or not, the time will be used up moment by moment.
In order to become prosperous, a person must initially work very hard, so he or she has to sacrifice a lot of leisure time.
External circumstances can contribute to one's happiness and well-being, but ultimately happiness and suffering depend on the mind.
People assume that happiness stems from collecting things outside of yourself, whereas true happiness stems from removing things from inside of yourself
In our own case, we don't consider the loss of a monastery or a monument the end of our entire way of life. If one monastery is destroyed, sometimes it happens.
It is worthwhile for one to make an effort to achieve happiness. Just as the purpose of a plant is to grow, so it is that the main purpose of every human being is to survive and to grow until death.
Even within one person, yesterday and today, there are differences. We must look at a deeper level.
We have never declared war on China. We have only asked them to leave us in peace, to let us have our natural freedom.
It may seem unrealistic to think we can ever become free from hatred, but Buddhists have systematic methods for gradually developing a tolerance powerful enough to give such freedom.
Self-rule means that China must stop its intensive effort to colonize Tibet with Chinese settlers and must allow Tibetans to hold responsible positions in the government of Tibet.
China can keep her troops on the external frontiers of Tibet, and Tibetans will pledge to accept the appropriate form of union with China.
On those days when I can spend a few hours getting some understanding, I feel fulfilled. I feel as if I have made good use of my time.