Dalai Lama is a title given by the Tibetan people to the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest and most dominant of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who lives as a refugee in India. The Dalai Lama is also considered to be the successor in a line of tulkus who are believed to be incarnations of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Here are some Dalai Lama quotes.
We knew the Dalai Lama stands for peace, and most of his preachings in modern days have been words of wisdom and wise sayings. So we have compiled some of his best quotes that reflect his thoughts in life and society. We have included the Dalai Lama quote about life, compassion, meditation quotes, etc.
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”
“”The true essence of humankind is kindness. There are other qualities which come from education or knowledge, but it is essential, if one wishes to be a genuine human being and impart satisfying meaning to one’s existence, to have a good heart.””
“We often add to our pain and suffering by being overly sensitive, over-reacting to minor things, and sometimes taking things too personally.”
“Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.”
“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”
“If you can cultivate the right attitude, your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance and develop tolerance, patience and understanding.”
“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.”
“If you don’t love yourself, you cannot love others. You will not be able to love others. If you have no compassion for yourself then you are not able of developing compassion for others.”
“One of the basic points is kindness. With kindness, with love and compassion, with his feeling that is the essence of brotherhood, sisterhood, one will have inner peace. This compassionate feeling is the basis of inner peace.”
“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”
“The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness.”
“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.”
“When you think everything is someone else’s fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.”
“Harmony can not thrive in a climate of mistrust, cheating, bullying; mean-spirited competition.”
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
“Sleep is the best meditation.”
Dalai Lama quotes about compassion and Love
“As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all Beings.”
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”
“In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.”
“Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. This is not just a dream, but a necessity.”
“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.”
“Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.”
“See the positive side, the potential, and make an effort.”
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”
“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”
“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”
“The point of life is happiness.”
“Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.”
“The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most difficult period in one’s life.”
“Through violence, you may ‘solve’ one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.”
“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”
“When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways–either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.”
“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.”
“Love is the absence of judgment.”
“It is the enemy who can truly teach us to practice the virtues of compassion and tolerance.”
“Consider that not only do negative thoughts and emotions destroy our experience of peace, they also undermine our health.”
“Compassion naturally creates a positive atmosphere, and as a result you feel peaceful and content.”
“Every religion emphasizes human improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other people’s suffering. On these lines every religion had more or less the same viewpoint and the same goal.”
“You are the people who are shaping a better world. One of the secrets of inner peace is the practice of compassion.”
“To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.”
“Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.”
“An affectionate disposition not only makes the mind more peaceful and calm, but it affects our body in a positive way too.”
“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.”
“My message is the practice of compassion, love and kindness.”
Dalai Lama quotes on life
“I am open to the guidance of synchronicity, and do not let expectations hinder my path.”
“We must conduct research and then accept the results. If they don’t stand up to experimentation, Buddha`s own words must be rejected.”
“My overriding belief is that it is always possible for criminals to improve and that by its very finality the death penalty contradicts this.”
“What is the purpose of life? I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy.”
“Genuine happiness consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others happiness.”
“Since periods of great change, such as the present one, come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.”
“A sense of concern for others gives our lives meaning; it is the root of all human happiness”
“World peace begins with inner peace.”
“Violence will only increase the cycle of violence.”
“I appreciate any organization or individual people who sincerely make an effort to promote harmony between humanity, and particularly harmony between the various religions. I consider it very sacred work and very important work”
“The real test of compassion is not what we say in abstract discussions but how we conduct ourselves in daily life.”
“Real change in society must start from individual initiative.”
“Reason well from the beginning and then there will never be any need to look back with confusion and doubt.”
“We are born and reborn countless number of times, and it is possible that each being has been our parent at one time or another. Therefore, it is likely that all beings in this universe have familial connections.”
“Without the human community one single human being cannot survive.”
Dalai lama famous quotes
“Anger and hatred are the real enemies that we must confront and defeat, not the ‘enemies’ who appear from time to time in our lives.”
“Use your human intelligence in the best way you can; transform your emotions in a positive way.”
“Compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and a sense of self-discipline are qualities that help us lead our daily lives with a calm mind”
“The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.”
“It is maybe not the best choice to have a favorite anything.”
“Human happiness and human satisfaction must ultimately come from within oneself. It is wrong to expect some final satisfaction to come from money or from a computer.”
“It is felt that a disciplined mind leads to happiness and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering, and in fact it is said that bringing about discipline within one’s mind is the essence of the Buddha’s teaching.”
“Forget the failures. Keep the lessons.”
“Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.”
“If the mind is tranquil and occupied with positive thoughts, the body will not easily fall prey to disease”
“I believe that constant effort, tireless effort, pursuing clear goals with sincere effort is the only way”
“Anger is the real destroyer of our good human qualities; an enemy with a weapon cannot destroy these qualities, but anger can. Anger is our real enemy.”
“The deep root of failure in our lives is to think, ‘Oh how useless and powerless I am.’ It is essential to think strongly and forcefully, ‘I can do it,’ without boasting or fretting.”
“Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In this case, your compassion will remain as a humane response to suffering as long as beings continue to suffer.”
“It is not only our right as members of the global human family to protest when our brothers and sisters are being treated brutally, but it is also our duty to do whatever we can to hep them.”
“A heart full of love and compassion is the main source of inner strength, willpower, happiness, and mental tranquility”
“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.”
“When you engage in fulfilling the needs of others, your own needs are fulfilled as a by-product.”
“From a certain point of view our real enemy, the true troublemaker, is inside.”
“The proper use of our intelligence and knowledge is to effect changes from within to develop a good heart.”
“Compassion is a mental quality that can bring us true lasting inner peace and inner strength.”
“Unlike physical progress, which is subject to natural restrictions, the qualities of the mind can be developed limitlessly.”
“The more contact we have with one another and the more we come to understand each other’s values, the greater will be our mutual respect.”
“The creation of a more peaceful and happier society has to begin from the level of the individual, and from there it can expand to one’s family, to one’s neighborhood, to one’s community and so on.”
“Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness .”
“A tree with strong roots can withstand the most violent storm, but the tree can’t grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon.”
“Human satisfaction must ultimately come from within oneself.”
Dalai Lama Inspirational Quotes
“The most compassionate form of giving is done with no thought or expectation of reward, and grounded in genuine concern for others.”
“Happiness comes through taming the mind; without taming the mind there is no way to be happy”
“Never give up. No matter what is happening, no matter what is going on around you, never give up.”
“The most important thing is transforming our minds, for a new way of thinking, a new outlook: we should strive to develop a new inner world.”
“Fear, hatred, and suspicion narrow your mind – compassion opens it.”
“Not only is your own happiness and welfare related to others, but the more you help them, the happier you will be.”
“Mutual respect is the foundation of genuine harmony.”
“Happiness is the highest form of health.”
“Every human action, whether it has become positive or negative, must depend on motivation.”
“Compassion is not helpless pity, but an awareness and determination that demands action.”
“Great changes start with individuals; the basis of world peace is inner peace in the hearts of individuals.”
“A mind committed to compassion is like an overflowing reservoir – a constant source of energy, determination, and kindness.”
“There are two kinds of satisfaction or happiness: one mainly through mental peace; another physical comfort”
“Go at least once a year to a place you’ve never been before.”
“I believe in justice and truth, without which there would be no basis for human hope”
“You need self-confidence and determination: feeling depressed and losing hope will never really help to correct any situation.”
“Through difficult experiences, life sometimes becomes more meaningful.”
“Many people think that patience is a sign of weakness. I think this is a mistake. It is anger that is a sign of weakness, whereas patience is a sign of strength”
“True happiness comes from having a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved by cultivating altruism, love and compassion, and by eliminating anger, selfishness and greed.”
“Even a small act of compassion grants meaning and purpose to our lives.”
“We can benefit others through our actions by being warm and generous toward them, by being charitable, and by helping those in need.”
“You have to start giving first and expect absolutely nothing.”
“When you are warm-hearted, there is no room for anger, jealousy or insecurity.”
“The cultivation of compassion is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, if our species is to survive.”
“If we make consistent effort, based on proper education, we can change the world.”
“I want to say, without hesitation, the purpose of our life is happiness.”
“I have come to the conclusion that whether or not a person is a religious believer does not matter. Far more important is that they be a good human being.”
“Smile if you want a smile from another face.”
“Anger, hatred and jealousy never solve problems, only affection, concern and respect can do that.”
“Always embrace the common humanity that lies at the heart of us all.”
“Most of our problems are related to the mind, so we have to work to reduce our destructive emotions.”
“A positive future cannot emerge from the mind of anger of despair”
“Compassion, forgiveness, these are the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life”
“Peace does not come through prayer, we human beings must create peace.”
“The more we are concerned for the well being of others, the closer we will feel to each other.”
“A positive state of mind is not merely good for you, it benefits everyone with whom you come into contact, literally changing the world.”
“Prayer alone will not make a happy life. A happy life must be built. You must act.”
“Today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly, live.”
“Gratitude is something you show in relation to others.”
“As our own peace of mind grows, so the atmosphere around us becomes more peaceful.”
“Wisdom is the best guide and faith is the best companion.”
We hope these Dalai lama quotes help you every day.