Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama Quotes

407 Sourced Quotes

Today, we are truly a global family. What happens in one part of the world may affect us all. This, of course, is not only true of the negative things that happen, but is equally valid for the positive developments. We not only know what happens elsewhere, thanks to the extraordinary modern communications technology. We are also directly affected by events that occur far away.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
As we enter the final decade of this century I am optimistic that the ancient values that have sustained mankind are today reaffirming themselves to prepare us for a kinder, happier twenty-first century.
I pray for all of us, oppressor and friend, that together we succeed in building a better world through human understanding and love, and that in doing so we may reduce the pain and suffering of all sentient beings.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
If there's good, strong evidence from science that such and such is the case and this is contrary to Buddhism, then we will change.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
I truly believe that compassion provides the basis of human survival.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The essence of any religion is good heart. Sometimes I call love and compassion a universal religion. This is my religion.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
An affectionate disposition not only makes the mind more peaceful and calm, but it affects our body in a positive way too.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
No matter what activity or practice we are pursuing, there isn't anything that isn't made easier through constant familiarity and training (I think you can apply this to soccer as well)

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
We are a part of humanity, so we should take care of humanity. And if we can't do that, then we should at least do no harm.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
For the stability and peace of Asia, it is essential to create peace zones to separate the continent's biggest powers and potential adversaries.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else
will solve their problems. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
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.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Nowadays the world is becoming increasingly materialistic, and mankind is reaching toward the very zenith of external progress, driven by an insatiable desire for power and vast possessions. Yet by this vain striving for perfection in a world where everything is relative, they wander even further away from inward peace and happiness of the mind.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
As Buddhists, while we practice our own teaching, we must respect other faiths, Christianity, Judaism and so forth. We must recognize and appreciate their contributions over many past centuries to human society, and at this time we must strive to make common effort to serve humankind.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
For the moment a lot of attention is given to economic concerns, and these problems at hand easily eclipse all others. But the remedies proposed for these problems all come out of outmoded ways of thinking... The remedy? Compassion. The logical feeling that we find in ourselves if we search deeply enough that has to be exercised toward all other living creatures.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
All People and things are interdependent. The world has become so small that no nation can solve its problems alone, in isolation from others. That is why I believe we must all cultivate a sense of responsibility based on love and compassion for each other.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
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.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
We have a natural creative ability and it is very important to realize this.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
We had a rule in Tibet that anyone proposing a new invention had to guarentee that it was beneficial, or at least harmless, for seven generations of humans before it could be adopted.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Attachment constrains our vision so that we are not able to see things from a wider perspective.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Just as rust, which arose from the iron itself, wears out the iron, likewise, performing an action without examination would destroy us by projecting us into a negative state of existence.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on other's kindness, how can it be in......the middle that we would neglect kindness towards others?

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The training of the mind is an art. If this can be considered art, one's life is art.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
When, from the depths of your heart, you spontaneously wish all beings to find true, lasting happiness, this is great love.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
When reason ends, then anger begins. Therefore, anger is a sign of weakness.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Some people, sweet and attractive, and strong and healthy, happen to die young. They are masters in disguise teaching us about impermanence.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Once you encourage the thought of compassion in your mind, once it becomes active, then your attitude towards others changes automatically.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Compassion is something really worthwhile. It is not just a religious or spiritual subject, not a matter of ideology. It is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Good human qualities-honesty, sincerity, a good heart-cannot be bought with money, nor can they be produced my machines, but only by the mind itself. We can call this the inner light, or God's blessing, or human qualitity. This is the essence of mankind.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama