Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama Quotes

407 Sourced Quotes

While it is all very well to distinguish happiness that is transient from that which is lasting, between ephemeral and genuine happiness, the only happiness it is meaningful to speak of when a person is dying from thirst is access to water.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
When we are young and again when we are old, we depend heavily on the affection of others. Between these stages we usually feel that we can do everything without help from others and that other people's affection is simply not important. But at this stage I think it is very important to keep deep human affection.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
True compassion is universal in scope. It is accompanied by a feeling of responsibility.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Spiritual practice... involves, on the one hand, acting out of concern for others' well-being. On the other, it entails transforming ourselves so that we become more readily disposed to do so.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
If one assumes a humble attitude, one's own good qualities will increase. Whereas if one is proud, one will become jealous of others, one will look down on others, and due to that there will be unhappiness in society.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
To the extent that our experience of suffering reminds us of what everyone else also endures, it serves as a powerful inspiration to practice compassion and avoid causing others pain. And to the extent that suffering awakens our empathy and causes us to connect with others, it serves as the basis of compassion and love.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Even more important than the warmth and affection we receive, is the warmth and affection we give. It is by giving warmth and affection, by having a genuine sense of concern for others, in other words through compassion, that we gain the conditions for genuine happiness. More important than being loved, therefore, is to love.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
If each of us can learn to relate to each other more out of compassion, with a sense of connection to each other and a deep recognition of our common humanity, and more important, to teach this to our children, I believe that this can go a long way in reducing many of the conflicts and problems that we see today.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
It is very wrong for people to feel deeply sad when they lose some money, yet when they waste the precious moments of their lives they do not have the slightest feeling of repentance.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Today we understand that the future of humanity very much depends on our planet, and that the future of the planet very much depends on humanity.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
On a certain day, month and year one should observe the ceremony of tree-planting. Thus, one fulfils one's responsibilities, serves one's fellow-beings which not only brings happiness but benefits all.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Sometimes, whether a desire is excessive or negative depends on the circumstances or society in which you live in.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Conservation is not merely a question of morality, but a question of our own survival.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
So our future is in our own hands. What greater free will do we need?

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
For a person who cherishes compassion and love, the practice of tolerance is essential, and for that, and enemy is indispinsable. So we should be grateful to our enemies, for it is they who can best help us to develop a tranquil mind.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Hard times build determination and inner strength. Through them we can also come to appreciate the uselessness of anger.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
If you want to change the world, first try to improve and bring about change within yourself. That will help change your family. From there it just gets bigger and bigger. Everything we do has some effect, some impact.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
It is a wonderful thing if one can use one's place of work as a place of spiritual practice as well.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
I feel that we should not only maintain gentle, peaceful relations with our fellow human beings bur also that is very important to extend the same kind of attitude toward the natural environment.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Taking care of our planet is like taking care of our houses. Since we human beings come from Nature, there is no point in our going against nature, which is why I say the environment is not a matter of religion or ethics or morality. These are luxuries, since we can survive without them. But we will not survive if we continue to go against nature.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
A mind wishing to benefit other people and other sentient beings is the very basis of peace and happiness.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The essence of compassion is a desire to alleviate the suffering of others and to promote their well-being

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Suffering increases your inner strength. Also, the wishing for suffering makes the suffering disappear.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The most important thing in life is human affection.
Without it one cannot achieve genuine happiness.
And if we want a happier life, a happier family, happier neighbours
or a happier nation, the key is inner quality.
Even if the five billion human beings that inhabit the earth become
millionaires, without inner development there cannot be peace
or any lasting happiness.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
May I examine my mind in all actions and as soon as a negative state occurs, since it endangers myself and others, may I firmly face and avert it.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
We cannot overcome anger and hatred simply by suppressing them. We need to actively cultivate the antidotes: patience and tolerance.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
I believe deeply that we must find, all of us together, a new spirituality.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Unless we possess high spiritual qualifications, there is no doubt that the events life throws upon us will give rise to frustration, emotional turmoil, and other distorted states of consciousness. These imperfect states of mind in turn give rise to imperfect activities, and the seeds of suffering are ever planted in a steady flow.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
If we have a positive mental attitude, then even when surrounded by hostility, we shall not lack inner peace.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
No one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama