50+ Best Dalai Lama Quotes

When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

A truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change even if they behave negatively or hurt you.

We need to learn how to want what we have NOT to have what we want in order to get steady and stable Happiness

When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, oh yes, I already have everything that I really need.

The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be

Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.

Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.

If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.

When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.

Those who have little interest in spirituality shouldn’t think that human inner values don’t apply to you. The inner peace of an alert and calm mind are the source of real happiness and good health. Our human intelligence tells us which of our emotions are positive and helpful and which are damaging and to be restrained or avoided.

Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.

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.

When reason ends, then anger begins. Therefore, anger is a sign of weakness.

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.

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation.

If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry.

If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.

Don’t think about yourself too much.

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. We have bigger houses, but smaller families. More conveniences, but less time. We have knowledge, but less judgements; more experts, but more problems; more medicines but less health.

When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves or some immediate convenience. When we are able to recognize and forgive ignorant actions of the past, we gain strength to constructively solve the problems of the present.

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

More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other’s well-being, is source of happiness.

It is necessary to help others not in our prayers but in our daily lives.

Irrespective of whether we are believers or agnostics, whether we believe in God or karma, moral ethics is a code which everyone is able to pursue.

It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.

No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.

Love is the absence of judgment.

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.

Follow the three R’s: – Respect for self. – Respect for others. – Responsibility for all your actions.

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.

In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.

To be kind, honest and have positive thoughts; to forgive those who harm us and treat everyone as a friend; to help those who are suffering and never to consider ourselves superior to anyone else: even if this advice seems rather simplistic, make the effort of seeing whether by following it you can find greater happiness.

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.

Be happy to change your goals, but never change your values.

If we think only of ourselves, forget about other people, then our minds occupy very small area. Inside that small area, even tiny problem appears very big. But the moment you develop a sense of concern for others, you realize that, just like ourselves, they also want happiness; they also want satisfaction. When you have this sense of concern, your mind automatically widens. At this point, your own problems, even big problems, will not be so significant. The result? Big increase in peace of mind. So, if you think only of yourself, only your own happiness, the result is actually less happiness. You get more anxiety, more fear.

The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual’s own reason and critical analysis.

Instead of wondering WHY this is happening to you, consider why this is happening to YOU.

I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives. I’m not talking about the short-term gratification of pleasures like sex, drugs or gambling (though I’m not knocking them), but something that will bring true and lasting happiness. The kind that sticks.

If it can be solved, there’s no need to worry, and if it can’t be solved, worry is of no use.

Our ancient experience confirms at every point that everything is linked together, everything is inseparable.

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.

We all have to live together, so we might as well live together happily.

People take different roads seeking fulfilment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.

Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.

When we are caught up in a destructive emotion, we lose one of our greatest assets: our independence.

Forget the failures. Keep the lessons.

I don’t know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but at the very least, it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.

Although you may not always be able to avoid difficult situations, you can modify the extent to which you can suffer by how you choose to respond to the situation.

Never give up. No matter what is happening, no matter what is going on around you, never give up.

Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways.

Unless the direction of science is guided by a consciously ethical motivation, especially compassion, its effects may fail to bring benefit. They may indeed cause great harm.

One problem with our current society is that we have an attitude towards education as if it is there to simply make you more clever, make you more ingenious… Even though our society does not emphasize this, the most important use of knowledge and education is to help us understand the importance of engaging in more wholesome actions and bringing about discipline within our minds. The proper utilization of our intelligence and knowledge is to effect changes from within to develop a good heart.

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

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.

Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.

Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or non-believing, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones. We all experience pain when we suffer loss and joy when we achieve what we seek. On this fundamental level, religion, ethnicity, culture, and language make no difference.

Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.

Sometimes when I meet old friends, it reminds me how quickly time passes. And it makes me wonder if we’ve utilized our time properly or not. Proper utilization of time is so important. While we have this body, and especially this amazing human brain, I think every minute is something precious. Our day-to-day existence is very much alive with hope, although there is no guarantee of our future. There is no guarantee that tomorrow at this time we will be here. But we are working for that purely on the basis of hope. So, we need to make the best use of our time. I believe that the proper utilization of time is this: if you can, serve other people, other sentient beings. If not, at least refrain from harming them. I think that is the whole basis of my philosophy.

Because of lack of moral principle, human life becomes worthless. Moral principle, truthfulness, is a key factor. If we lose that, then there is no future.

Neither a space station nor an enlightened mind can be realized in a day.

Live a good honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

The topic of compassion is not at all religious business; it is important to know it is human business, it is a question of human survival.

What surprises me most is Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn’t enjoy the present; The result being he doesn’t live in the present or the future; He lives as if he’s never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived.

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.

From the scientific view, the theory of karma may be a metaphysical assumption — but it is no more so than the assumption that all of life is material and originated out of pure chance

Even when we have physical hardships, we can be very happy.

If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it.

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

Generally speaking, if a human being never shows anger, then I think something’s wrong. He’s not right in the brain.

Sleep is the best meditation.

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Whether you believe in God or not does not matter much, whether you believe in Buddha or not does not matter so much; as a Buddhist, whether you believe in reincarnation or not does not matter so much. You must lead a good life.

Smile if you want a smile from another face.

One great question underlies our experience, whether we think about it or not: what is the purpose of life? . . . From the moment of birth every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affects this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. . . Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.

Happiness doesn’t always come from a pursuit. Sometimes it comes when we least expect it.

Don’t ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance or my kindness for weakness. Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

It is very rare or almost impossible that an event can be negative from all points of view.

You are so anxious about the future that you do not enjoy the present. You therefore do not live in the present or the future. You live as if you are never going to die, and then die having never really lived.

Every human being has the same potential. Whatever makes you feel I am worthlessis wrong. Absolutely wrong. You are deceiving yourself. We all have the power of thought, so what could you possibly be lacking? If you have the willpower, then you can do anything.

Do not avoid the responsibility of your actions.

Hard times build determination and inner strength. Through them we can also come to appreciate the uselessness of anger. Instead of getting angry nurture a deep caring and respect for troublemakers because by creating such trying circumstances they provide us with invaluable opportunities to practice tolerance and patience.

There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.’ No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.

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.

Many of our problems stem from attitudes like putting ourselves first at all costs.

Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.

Human potential is the same for all. Your feeling, I am of no value, is wrong. Absolutely wrong. You are deceiving yourself. We all have the power of thought – so what are you lacking? If you have willpower, then you can change anything. It is usually said that you are your own master.

The ultimate source of my mental happiness is my peace of mind. Nothing can destroy this except my own anger.

Compassion is the wish to see others free from suffering.

When life becomes too complicated and we feel overwhelmed, it’s often useful just to stand back and remind ourselves of our overall purpose, our overall goal. When faced with a feeling of stagnation and confusion, it may be helpful to take an hour, an afternoon, or even several days to simply reflect on what it is that will truly bring us happiness, and then reset our priorities on the basis of that. This can put our life back in proper context, allow a fresh perspective, and enable us to see which direction to take.

There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide. No matter what people call you, you are just who you are. Keep to this truth. You must ask yourself how is it you want to live your life. We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone. No one can help us, not even the Buddha. So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?

I have found that the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. 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 is the ultimate source of success in life.

In order to become prosperous, a person must initially work very hard, so he or she has to sacrifice a lot of leisure time.

Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.

Through difficult experiences, life sometimes becomes more meaningful.

Through violence, you may ‘solve’ one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.

My philosophy is kindness.

There are always problems to face, but it makes a difference if our minds are calm.

A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.

The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world.

True friendship develops not as a result of money or power but on the basis of genuine human affection.

When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

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.

Home is where you feel at home and are treated well.

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. Thanks to the teachings of Buddha, I have been able to take this second way.

It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.

When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know; But when you listen, you may learn something new.

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.

So, let us reflect what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the basis of that. The purpose of our life needs to be positive. We weren’t born with the purpose of causing trouble, harming others. For our life to be of value, I think we must develop basic good human qualities—warmth, kindness, compassion. Then our life becomes meaningful and more peaceful—happier.

World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.

Even an animal, if you show genuine affection, gradually trust develops… If you always showing bad face and beating, how can you develop friendship?

Love and Compassion are the true religions to me. But to develop this, we do not need to believe in any religion.

We should be more like children.

Every single being, even those who are hostile to us, is just as afraid of suffering as we are, and seeks happiness in the same way we do. Every person has the same right as we do to be happy and not to suffer. So let’s take care of others wholeheartedly, of both our friends and our enemies. This is the basis for true compassion.

If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.

I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion and elimination of ignorance, selfishness and greed.

Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.

Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.

A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity.

In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.

Compassion is the radicalism of our time.

We all seek happiness and do not want suffering.

I believe the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in that religion or this religion, we are all seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness.

Death means change our clothes. Clothes become old, then time to come change. So, this body become old, and then time come, take young body.

Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.

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.

A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals the secret of some hidden treasure.

The ultimate source of comfort and peace is within ourselves.

Someone else’s action should not determine your response.

As people alive today, we must consider future generations: a clean environment is a human right like any other. It is therefore part of our responsibility toward others to ensure that the world we pass on is as healthy, if not healthier, than we found it.

We begin from the recognition that all beings cherish happiness and do not want suffering. It then becomes both morally wrong and pragmatically unwise to pursue only one’s own happiness oblivious to the feelings and aspirations of all others who surround us as members of the same human family. The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness.

The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.

The important thing is that men should have a purpose in life. It should be something useful, something good.

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.

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 find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.

The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most difficult period in one’s life.

Whether our action is wholesome or unwholesome depends on whether that action or deed arises from a disciplined or undisciplined state of mind. 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.

Pain can change you, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a bad change. Take that pain and turn it into wisdom.

The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.

Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility…without this inner peace, no matter how comfortable your life is materially, you may still be worried, disturbed, or unhappy because of circumstances.

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.

I believe each human being has the potential to change, to transform one’s own attitude, no matter how difficult the situation.

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.

The first step toward living a happy life is to treat every other human with kindness.

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.

We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.

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.

I will not propose to you that my way is best. The decision is up to you. If you find some point which may be suitable to you, then you can carry out experiments for yourself. If you find that it is of no use, then you can discard it.

The purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.

All religions try to benefit people, with the same basic message of the need for love and compassion, for justice and honesty, for contentment.

No matter what is going on. Never give up. Develop the heart. Too much energy in your country is spent developing the mind instead of the heart. Be compassionate not just to your friends but to everyone. Be compassionate. Work for peace

An open heart is an open mind.

Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquillity and happiness we all seek.

Anger is the ultimate destroyer of your own peace of mind.

Compassion naturally creates a positive atmosphere, and as a result you feel peaceful and content.

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.

True change is within; leave the outside as it is.

All suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction.

The way to change others’ minds is with affection, and not anger.

Given the scale of life in the cosmos, one human life is no more than a tiny blip. Each one of us is a just visitor to this planet, a guest, who will only stay for a limited time. What greater folly could there be than to spend this short time alone, unhappy or in conflict with our companions? Far better, surely, to use our short time here in living a meaningful life, enriched by our sense of connection with others and being of service to them.

Everyone wants a happy life without difficulties or suffering. We create many of the problems we face. No one intentionally creates problems, but we tend to be slaves to powerful emotions like anger, hatred and attachment that are based on misconceived projections about people and things. We need to find ways of reducing these emotions by eliminating the ignorance that underlies them and applying opposing forces.

Man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.

In order to carry a positive action, we must develop here a positive vision.

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.

If scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims.

I defeat my enemies when I make them my friends.

Help others, and if you can’t help them at least don’t hurt them.

To remain indifferent to the challenges we face is indefensible. If the goal is noble, whether or not it is realized within our lifetime is largely irrelevant. What we must do therefore is to strive and persevere and never give up.

Look at children. Of course they may quarrel, but generally speaking they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do. Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of an education if they show a big smile while hiding negative feelings deep inside? Children don’t usually act in such a manner. If they feel angry with someone, they express it, and then it is finished. They can still play with that person the following day.

Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness.

You have to start giving first and expect absolutely nothing.

We create most of our suffering, so it should be logical that we also have the ability to create more joy. It simply depends on the attitudes, the perspectives, and the reactions we bring to situations and to our relationships with other people. When it comes to personal happiness there is a lot that we as individuals can do.

If your heart has peace, nothing can disturb you.

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

You must not hate those who do wrong or harmful things; but with compassion, you must do what you can to stop them — for they are harming themselves, as well as those who suffer from their actions.

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 more honest you are, the more open, the less fear you will have, because there’s no anxiety about being exposed or revealed to others.

Silence is sometimes the best answer.

As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all Beings.

Let us try to recognize the precious nature of each day.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

If you have peace of mind, when you meet with problems and difficulties they won’t disturb your inner peace. You’ll be able to employ your human intelligence more effectively. But, if your mental state is disturbed, full of emotion, it is very difficult to cope with problems, because the mind that is full of emotion is biased, unable to see reality. So whatever you do will be unrealistic and naturally fail.

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