Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama - Mind Quotes

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Buddhism does not accept a theory of God, or a creator. According to Buddhism, one's own actions are the creator, ultimately. Some people say that, from a certain angle, Buddhism is not a religion but rather a science of mind.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
We are the creators of our own happiness and suffering, for everything originates in the mind.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Only through the development of mutual respect, and in a spirit of truth, can friendship come about. By these means it is possible to move human minds, but never by force.

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
The training of the mind is an art. If this can be considered art, one's life is art.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Buddhahood is a state free of all obstructions to knowledge and disturbing emotions. It is the state in which the mind is fully evolved.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The greater the level of calmness of our mind, the greater our peace of mind, the greater our ability to enjoy a happy and joyful life.

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
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
Historically, the East was more concerned with understanding the mind and the West was more involved in understanding matter.

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
Foolish, selfish people are always thinking of themselves and the result is always negative. Wise persons think of others, helping them as much as they can, and the result is happiness. Love and compassion are beneficial both for you and others. Through your kindness to others, your mind and heart will open to peace.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Developing inner values is much like physical exercise. The more we train our abilities, the stronger they become. The difference is that, unlike the body, when it comes to training the mind, there is no limit to how far we can go.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
It is also possible within this lifetime to enhance the power of the mind, enabling one to reaccess memories from previous lives. Such recollection tends to be more accessible during meditative experiences in the dream state. Once one has accessed memories of previous lives in the dream state, one gradually recalls them in the waking state.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The most important thing is practice in daily life; then you can
know gradually the true value of religion. Doctrine is not meant for
mere knowledge, but for the improvement of our minds. In order to do
that, it must be part of our life. If you put religious doctrine in
a building and when you leave the building depart from the practices,
you cannot gain its value.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
To develop genuine devotion, you must know the meaning of teachings. The main emphasis in Buddhism is to transform the mind, and this transformation depends upon meditation. in order to meditate correctly, you must have knowledge.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
In our daily life a certain way of thinking makes us happy, and a certain way of thinking makes us unhappy. In other words, there are certain states of mind which bring us problems, and they can be removed...

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
If the mind is tranquil and occupied with positive thoughts, the body will not easily fall prey to disease

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
Compassion can be roughly defined in terms of a state of mind that is nonviolent, nonharming, and nonaggressive. It is a mental attitude based on the wish for others to be free of their suffering and is associated with a sense of commitment, responsibility, and respect towards others.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
We must work to resolve conflicts in a spirit of reconciliation and always keep in mind the interests of others. We cannot destroy our neighours! We cannot ignore their interests!

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
No material object, however beautiful or valuable, can make us feel loved, because our deeper identity and true character lie in the subjective nature of the mind.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Religion does not mean just precepts, a temple, monastery, or other external signs, for these as well as hearing and thinking are subsidiary factors in taming the mind. When the mind becomes the practices, one is a practitioner of religion, and when the mind does not become the practices one is not.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Happiness is determined more by one's state of mind than by external events.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility. In that state of mind you can deal with situations with calmness and reason, while keeping your inner happiness. That is very important. Without this inner peace, no matter how comfortable your life is materially, you may still be worried, disturbed or unhappy because of circumstances.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The ultimate source of my mental happiness is my peace of mind. Nothing can destroy this except my own anger.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The development of our minds and our destination in future lives is in our hands. No one else can help us. It is very important that we each take responsibility for ourselves. Sustain mindfulness 24 hours a day. Thank you. That is all.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
If someone remains in a peaceful and tranquil state of mind, external surroundings can cause them only a limited disturbance.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Only through kindness and love can peace of mind be achieved.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama