Dalai Quotes & Sayings

Our purpose in life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. — Dalai Lama

Action for Happiness encourages each of us to live more compassionately and put the happiness of others at the centre of our lives. This is the path to lasting peace and happiness — Dalai Lama

He told me that while he was in a Chinese Communist gulag for almost eighteen years, he faced danger on a few occasions. I thought he was referencing a threat to his own life. But when I asked, "What danger?" he answered, "Losing compassion toward the Chinese. — Dalai Lama XIV

What marks the transition from non-sentient to sentient beings? A model of increasing complexity based on evolution through natural selection is simply a descriptive hypothesis, a kind of euphemism for "mystery," and not a satisfactory explanation. — Dalai Lama XIV

The more time you spend thinking about yourself, the more suffering you will experience. — Dalai Lama XIV

When I talk to a few thousand people, I just feel I am talking to an old friend. Like that. I never felt some kind of distance, so therefore, I feel one source of happiness. In that kind of atmosphere, my experience seems some benefit to some people. — Dalai Lama

If you shift your focus from yourself to others, extend your concern to others, and cultivate the thought of caring for the well being of others, then this will have the immediate effect of opening up your life and helping you to reach out. — Dalai Lama XIV

Instead of looking to blame others and the world around us, we should first look within ourselves. This — Dalai Lama XIV

What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful. — Dalai Lama

Prayer alone will not make a happy life. A happy life must be built. You must act. — Dalai Lama

Something is lacking. As one of the seven billion human beings, I believe everyone has the responsibility to develop a happier world. We need, ultimately, to have a greater concern for others' well-being. In other words, kindness or compassion, which is lacking now. We must pay more attention to our inner values. We must look inside." He — Dalai Lama XIV

We are visitors on this planet. We are here for one hundred years at the very most. During that period we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives. if you contribute to other people's happiness, you will find the true meaning of life. — Dalai Lama XIV

Once you develop confidence in your own ability, you'll be able to make a real contribution to creating a better world. Self-confidence is very important. Not in the sense of blind pride, but as a realistic awareness of what you can do. As human beings we can transform ourselves by our good qualities and reducing our faults. Our intelligence enables us to judge what is good from what is harmful. — Dalai Lama

If we use the brilliant human mind in the wrong way, it is really a disaster. — Dalai Lama XIV

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. — Dalai Lama

Instead of wondering WHY this is happening to you, consider why this is happening to YOU. — Dalai Lama XIV

Every day, 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. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can. — Dalai Lama XIV

No one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems. — Dalai Lama

I think Dalai Lama efforts have been heroic. — Pico Iyer

It does not matter whether you are a theist or atheist, what matters is sincerity, forgiveness, and compassion. — Dalai Lama

In Tibet there were practitioners in retreat who so strongly reflected on impermanence that they would not wash their dishes after supper. - PALTRUL RINPOCHE'S SACRED WORD — Dalai Lama XIV

A female Dalai Lama must be very attractive, otherwise not much use. — Dalai Lama

When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us. When our community is in a state of peace, it can share that peace with neighboring communities. — Dalai Lama

The main cause of suffering is egoistic desire for one's own comfort and happiness. — Dalai Lama

The natural environment sustains the life of all beings universally. — Dalai Lama

A good motivation is what is needed: compassion without dogmatism, without complicated philosophy; just understanding that others are human brothers and sisters and respecting their human rights and dignities. That we humans can help each other is one of our unique human capacities. — Dalai Lama

Suffering is described in terms of three characteristics of impermanence or transitory nature, unsatisfactoriness and selflessness. — Dalai Lama XIV

We need to teach people that the environment has a direct bearing on our own benefit. — Dalai Lama

Go back to the Dalai Lama. He says, I think technology has really increased human ability. But technology cannot produce compassion. — Amy Poehler

We must conduct research and then accept the results. If they don't stand up to experimentation, Buddha's own words must be rejected. — Dalai Lama XIV

Meditation is valuable for all of humanity because it involves looking inward. People don't have to be religious to look inside themselves more carefully. It is constructive and worthwhile to analyze our emotions, including compassion and our sense of caring, so that we can become more calm and happy. — Dalai Lama

I usually say the aim of life is to be happy. Our existence is based on hope. Our life is rooted in the opportunity to be happy, not necessarily wealthy, but happy within our own minds. If we only indulge in sensory pleasure, we'll be little different from animals. In fact, we have this marvellous brain and intelligence; we must learn to use it. — Dalai Lama

The greatest antidote to insecurity & sense of fear is compassion. It brings one back to the basis of one's inner strength. — Dalai Lama

The more you think about your own self, the more self-centred you are, the more trouble even small problems can create in your mind. The stronger your sense of 'I', the narrower the scope of your thinking becomes; then even small obstacles become unbearable. On the other hand, if you concern yourself mainly with others, the broader your thinking becomes, and life's inevitable difficulties disturb you less. — Dalai Lama

[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any benefits. And yet, he's thinking in terms of the long term, of centuries. — Pico Iyer

Genuine harmony must come from the heart. It cannot come from the barrel of a gun. — Dalai Lama

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live. — Dalai Lama XIV

An open heart is an open mind. — Dalai Lama XIV

Kindness is the key to peace and harmony in family life. — Dalai Lama

So long as we are under the control of disturbing emotions, real happiness is hard to find. — Dalai Lama

We often add to our pain and suffering by being overly sensitive, over-reacting to minor things, and sometimes taking things too personally. — Dalai Lama

A thousand candles can be lit from one candle, however the life of the original candle is not shortened in the least. — Dalai Lama

In the final analysis, the hope of every person is simply peace of mind. — Dalai Lama

Like anyone else, I too have anger in me. However, I try to recall that anger is a destructive emotion. I remind myself that scientists now say that anger is bad for our health; it eats into our immune system. So, anger destroys our peace of mind and our physical health. We shouldn't welcome it or think of it as natural or as a friend. — Dalai Lama XIV

With genuine love and compassion, another person's appearance or behavior has no affect on your attitude. — Dalai Lama

If you young people who today belong to the first generation of the 21st century make an effort now, you may be able to create a happier, more peaceful world. But you can't take for granted that it will happen by itself, you'll need to take action. — Dalai Lama

If you shift your focus from oneself to others, and think more about others' well-being and welfare, it has an immediate liberating effect. — Dalai Lama

As human beings, we are only able to survive in dependence upon the co-operation, help and kindness of other fellow humans. — Dalai Lama

If I were to die today, I would have some concern for Tibet. But I know that I have personally done as much as I can to use my existence for others. So I have no regret. — Dalai Lama

Nonviolence is the only way. Even if you achieve your goal by violent means there are always side effects, and these can be worse than the problem. Violence is against human nature. — Dalai Lama

Misunderstanding may arise by confusing the Buddhist and scientific definitions of death. Within the scientific system you spoke quite validly of the death of the brain and the death of heart. Different parts of the body can die separately. However, in the Buddhist system, the word death is not used in that way. You'd never speak of the death of a particular part of the body, but rather of the death of an entire person. When people say that a certain person died, we don't ask, "Well, which part died?" — Dalai Lama

hatred will not cease by hatred — Dalai Lama XIV

Compassion suits our physical condition, whereas anger, fear and distrust are harmful to our well-being. Therefore, just as we learn the importance of physical hygiene to physical health, to ensure healthy minds, we need to learn some kind of emotional hygiene. — Dalai Lama

Honest concern for others is the key factor in improving our day-to-day lives. When you are warm-hearted, there is no room for anger, jealousy, or insecurity. A calm mind and self-confidence are the basis for happy and peaceful relations with each other. Healthy, happy families and a healthy, peaceful nation are dependent on warm-heartedness. Some scientists have observed that constant anger and fear eat away at our immune system, whereas a calm mind strengthens it. We have to see how we can fundamentally change our education system so that we can train people to develop warm-heartedness early on in order to create a healthier society. I don't mean we need to change the whole system - just improve it. We need to encourage an understanding that inner peace comes from relying on human values like love, compassion, tolerance, and honesty, and that peace in the world relies on individuals finding inner peace. - HIS HOLINESS, THE DALAI LAMA — Debra Landwehr Engle

True compassion does not stem from the pleasure of feeling close to one person or another, but from the conviction that other people are just like me and want not to suffer but to be happy, and from a commitment to help them overcome what causes them to suffer. — Dalai Lama XIV

Compassion naturally creates a positive atmosphere, and as a result you feel peaceful and content. — Dalai Lama XIV

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

The Dalai Lama challenged me - he said, 'Why can't you use technological tools to study kindness and compassion? — Richard Davidson

I'm sure all of us agree that we need to overcome violence, but we first need to examine whether it has any value. From a strictly practical perspective, on certain occasions violence appears to be useful. We can solve a problem quickly by force. But this success is often at the expense of the rights and welfare of others. Although one problem has been solved, the seed of another has been planted. — Dalai Lama

Always embrace the common humanity that lies at the heart of us all. — Dalai Lama

In order to meditate correctly, you must have knowledge. — Dalai Lama

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. — Dalai Lama XIV

Wisdom and inner peace must be created by yourself. — Dalai Lama

All I can do is engage with complete sincerity. Then whatever happens, there is no regret. — Dalai Lama

The present is that elusive moment between what no longer exists and what has not yet happened. These notions that we take as "reality" are pure intellectual fabrications that do not involve an independent reality, existent in itself. According — Dalai Lama XIV

While people are often content to criticize and blame others for what goes wrong, surely we should at least attempt to put forward constructive ideas. One thing is for certain: given human beings' love of truth, justice, peace, and freedom, creating a better, more compassionate world is a genuine possibility. The potential is there. — Dalai Lama

True friends share genuine closeness and remain friends irrespective of fluctuating fortunes. — Dalai Lama

In some cases is keeping your mouth shut the best answer. — Dalai Lama

First one must change. I first watch myself, check myself, then expect changes from others. — Dalai Lama

By mobilizing our thoughts and practicing new ways of thinking, we can reshape our nerve cells and change the way our brains work. — Dalai Lama XIV

Open-minded people tend to be interested in Buddhism because Buddha urged people to investigate things - he didn't just command them to believe. — Dalai Lama

If we want to save the world, we must have a plan. But no plan will work unless we meditate. — Dalai Lama

When we encounter suffering, it is important to respond w/ compassion rather than to question the politics of those we help. — Dalai Lama

If one's life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements. And finally, there is an intense delight in abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating helpful ones in meditation. — Dalai Lama XIV

If you develop a pure and sincere motivation, if you are motivated by a wish to help on the basis of kindness, compassion, and respect, then you can carry on any kind of work, in any field, and function more effectively. — Dalai Lama

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. — Dalai Lama

It's not enough to be compassionate. You must act. — Dalai Lama

All problems, including terrorism, can be overcome through education, particularly by introducing concern for all others at the preschool level. — Dalai Lama XIV

Without inner peace it is impossible to have world peace. — Dalai Lama

I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. We must all learn to work not just for our own self, family, or nation but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources, and through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment. — Dalai Lama

Most REAL change is slow. Happiness and joy are the purpose of life. If we know that the future will be very dark or painful, then we lose our determination to live. Therefore, life is something based on hope. — Dalai Lama

Some consider me as a living Buddha. That's nonsense. That's silly. That's wrong. If they consider me a simple Buddhist monk, however, that's probably okay. — Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama's got nothing on me. — Jimmy McGill

The real test of compassion is not what we say in abstract discussions but how we conduct ourselves in daily life. — Dalai Lama

When you encounter some problems, if you point your finger at yourself and not at others, this gives you control over yourself and calmness in a situation, where otherwise self-control becomes problematic. — Dalai Lama

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. — Dalai Lama

This is a precious gateway into the alleviation of suffering, which I believe to be our principal task on this earth. — Dalai Lama XIV

I call the light and high aspects of my being spirit and the dark and heavy aspects soul. — Dalai Lama

For Tibetans, the real strength of our struggle is truth - not size, money, or expertise. — Dalai Lama

My main concern is meeting with public because my main commitment, main interest is promotion of human value, human affection, compassion and religious harmony. — Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama took the Archbishop's hand, and then they were more eight than eighty, laughing and making jokes together as they strolled toward the terminal, yellow umbrella sheltering above them. Even — Dalai Lama XIV

There is no self-interest completely unrelated to others' interests. Due to the fundamental interconnectedness which lies at the heart of reality, your interest is also my interest. From this it becomes clear that "my" interest and "your" interest are intimately connected. In a deep sense, they converge. — Dalai Lama

We have always been a nation different from the Chinese. Long ago we fought wars with them. — Dalai Lama

Your Holiness, elite education makes us arrogant, conceited. It makes us think we are the answers to everything. You know what this expensive education does to us? It destroys us. — Dalai Lama XIV

The proper way to create friends is to have a warm heart, not simply money or power. The friend of power and the friend of money are something different. — Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama. He is a very wise man of great inner peace who believes that happiness is the purpose of our lives. Through his teachings and leadership, he continues to make this world a better place in which to live. — Sidney Sheldon

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. — Dalai Lama XIV

The consequences of karma are definite: Negative actions always bring about suffering, and positive actions always bring happiness. If you do good, you will have happiness; if you do bad, you yourself suffer. — Dalai Lama XIV

Buddhahood is a state free of all obstructions to knowledge and disturbing emotions. It is the state in which the mind is fully evolved. — Dalai Lama

Our love could change the orbit of the earth. So, if a meteor ever comes hurtling towards earth with the guarantee of destruction, top scientists may call on us to, well, you know, do it like crazy for the sake of humankind. — Dalai Lama