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.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Responsibility
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.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Kindness
Spend some time alone every day.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Without love we could not survive. Human beings are social creatures, and a concern for each other is the very basis of our life together.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Survival, Compassion, Kindness, Love, Humanity
The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual’s own reason and critical analysis.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Authority
Finding common ground among faiths can help us bridge needless divides at a time when unified action is more crucial than ever.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
For those who may not find happiness to exercise religious faith, it’s okay to remain a radical atheist, it’s absolutely an individual right, but the important thing is with a compassionate heart—then no problem.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Compassion, Faith
Physically you are a human being, but mentally you are incomplete. Given that we have this physical human form, we must safeguard our mental capacity for judgment. For that, we cannot take out insurance; the insurance company is within: self-discipline, self-awareness, and a clear realization of the disadvantages of anger and the positive effects of kindness.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Awareness
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Happy, Practice, Act, Kindness, Happiness, Passion, Buddhism
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.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Computers
The various features and aspects of human life, such as longevity, good health, success, happiness, and so forth, which we consider desirable, are all dependent on kindness and a good heart.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Kindness
Because we all share this small planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Although it is difficult to pinpoint the physical base or location of awareness, it is perhaps the most precious thing concealed within our brains. And it is something that the individual alone can feel and experience. Each of us cherishes it highly, yet it is private.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Science, Awareness
Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Appreciation, Friends and Friendship, Attitude, New, Buddhism, Friend
We must each lead a way of life with self-awareness and compassion, to do as much as we can. Then, whatever happens we will have no regrets.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Living Well
I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Experience, Life, Sin, Purpose, Mistake, Desire, Success, Contentment, Peace, Happy, War, Believe, Great, Mind, Fear, Buddhism, Give, Heart, Happiness
I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Religion, Belief, Happiness
Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Religion
It is my belief that whereas the twentieth century has been a century of war and untold suffering, the twenty-first century should be one of peace and dialogue. As the continued advances in information technology make our world a truly global village, I believe there will come a time when war and armed conflict will be considered an outdated and obsolete method of settling differences among nations and communities.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: The Future
When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Learning
Now, there are many, many people in the world, but relatively few with whom we interact, and even fewer who cause us problems. So, when you come across such a chance for practicing patience and tolerance, you should treat it with gratitude. It is rare. Just as having unexpectedly found a treasure in your own house, you should be happy and grateful to your enemy for providing that precious opportunity.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Every human action, whether it has become positive or negative, must depend on motivation.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Motivation
I truly believe that compassion provides the basis of human survival.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Compassion
We live very close together. So, our prime purpose in life is to help others. And if we can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Helping, Sacrifice, Service
To seek solitude like a wild animal. That is my only ambition.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Solitude
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Love, Buddhism
I am open to the guidance of synchronicity, and do not let expectations hinder my path.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Expectation
I have observed that religious practice is not a precondition either of ethical conduct or of happiness itself. I have also suggested that, whether a person practices religion or not, the spiritual qualities of love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, humility and so on are indispensable.
—The 14th Dalai Lama
Topics: Compassion
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- Lama Thubten Yeshe Tibetan Buddhist Lama
- Pema Chodron American Buddhist Nun
- D. T. Suzuki Japanese Buddhist Philosopher
- Alan Watts British-American Philosopher
- Robert Thurman American Buddhist Scholar
- Pope John Paul II Polish Catholic Religious Leader
- Nagarjuna Indian Buddhist Philosopher
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