The Dalai Lama Quotes

World peace must develop from inner peace.

We consider that the lives of all beings are just as precious as our own, and through this we develop a sense of concern for others.

It is important not to allow ourselves to be put off by the magnitude of others' suffering. The misery of millions is not a cause for pity. Rather it is a cause for compassion.

To foster inner awareness, introspection, and reasoning is more efficient than meditation and prayer.

A spoon cannot taste of the food it carries. Likewise, a foolish man cannot understand the wise man´s wisdom even if he associates with a sage.

The greater the force of your compassion, the greeater your resilience in confronting hardships.

Without technology humanity has no future, but we have to be careful that we don’t become so mechanised that we lose our human feelings.

To me there is no difference whether president, beggar, or king.

Because the twentieth century was a century of violence, let us make the twenty-first a century of dialogue.

Peace of mind is the basis of a healthy body and a healthy mind; so peace of mind, a calm mind, is very, very important.

Since form is emptiness and emptiness is form, then instead of a hand grasping at nothing, it is better to grasp at someone's nose because this is closer to reality.

We must cultivate a universal responsibility toward each other and extend it to the planet that we have to share

Peace does not come through prayer, we human beings must create peace.

If you want change, create the causes.

Laughing in full abandonment is very good for your health.

The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness

Anger or hatred is like a fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.

I believe in justice and truth, without which there would be no basis for human hope

Every human actions becomes dangerous when it is deprived of human feeling. When they are performed with feeling and respect for human values, all activities become constructive.

The proper use of our intelligence and knowledge is to effect changes from within to develop a good heart.

It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act.

The practice of love can be expressed in one sentence: 'Do not harm others.'

I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives.

Someone else's action should not determine your response.

Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness .

If we want spiritual development, the practice of patience is essential.

Like the lotus which thrives in mud, the potential for realization grows in the rich soil of everyday life

Through awareness, you get a certain attitude. That's the way, you see, to achieve more peaceful, more compassion, more friendship through that way.

The purpose of life is to be happy.

By developing a sense of concern for others' well-being, then no matter what others' attitudes are, you can keep inner peace.

Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties; the survival of humanity will be endangered.

I only escaped from Tibet because I feared my people would resort to desperate violence if the Chinese took me as their prisoner.

We must generate courage equal to the size of the difficulties we face.

We cannot overcome anger and hatred simply by suppressing them. We need to actively cultivate the antidotes: patience and tolerance.

Today, due to the massive Chinese population transfer, the nation of Tibet truly faces the threat of extinction, along with its unique cultural heritage of Buddhist spirituality.

We can solve many problems in an appropriate way, without any difficulty, if we cultivate harmony, friendship and respect for one another.

I always tell people that religious institutions and political institutions should be separate. So while I'm telling people this, I myself continue with them combined. Hypocrisy!

The more we are concerned for the well being of others, the closer we will feel to each other.

Everything is interconnected. My interest is linked to everyone else's. Our survival and future are linked. Therefore the destruction of your so-called enemy is actually the destruction of your self.

It is expressions of affection rather than money and power that attract real friends.

I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal.

If someone remains in a peaceful and tranquil state of mind, external surroundings can cause them only a limited disturbance.

A positive future cannot emerge from the mind of anger of despair

The past is past, and the future is yet to come. That means the future is in your hands - the future entirely depends on the present. That realization gives you a great responsibility.

If science proves some belief of Buddhism wrong, then Buddhism will have to change.

I think in many ways narrow minded-attitudes lead to extreme thinking.

The best way to resolve any problem in the human world is for all sides to sit down and talk.

My aim is to create a happy society with genuine friendship. Friendship between Tibetan and Chinese peoples is very essential.

My faith helps me overcome such negative emotions and find my equilibrium.

I always tell my Western friends that it is best to keep your own tradition. Changing religion is not easy and sometimes causes confusion. You must value your tradition and honor your own religion.