Dalai Lama quotes

Born
July 6, 1935, Taktser, Amdo, Tibet.

Occupation
Monk, leader.

14th Dalai Lama is the current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are important monks of the Gelug school, the newest school of Tibetan Buddhism.

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

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

I totally disagree with the view that the Tibet struggle will die, and there will be no hope for Tibet, after the Dalai Lama passes away.
– Dalai Lama

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

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

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

If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.
– Dalai Lama

The Chinese government wants me to say that for many centuries Tibet has been part of China. Even if I make that statement, many people would just laugh. And my statement will not change past history. History is history.
– Dalai Lama

I think there’s every reason this 21st century will be much happier.
– Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is just a temporal leader of Tibet.
– Dalai Lama

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.
– Dalai Lama

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
– Dalai Lama

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

Open-minded people tend to be interested in Buddhism because Buddha urged people to investigate things – he didn’t just command them to believe.
– Dalai Lama

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.
– Dalai Lama

I am confident I will set foot again in Tibet in my lifetime.
– Dalai Lama

One thing I want to make clear, as far as my own rebirth is concerned, the final authority is myself and no one else, and obviously not China’s Communists.
– Dalai Lama

Some mischievous people always there. Last several thousand years, always there. In future, also.
– Dalai Lama

I became the Dalai Lama not on a volunteer basis.
– Dalai Lama

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

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
– Dalai Lama

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.
– Dalai Lama

Some scientists believe climate change is the cause of unprecedented melting of the North Pole, and that effects these very uncertain weather patterns. I think we should listen to those scientists and experts.
– Dalai Lama

Even when a person has all of life’s comforts – good food, good shelter, a companion – he or she can still become unhappy when encountering a tragic situation.
– Dalai Lama

World belongs to humanity, not this leader, that leader or that king or prince or religious leader. World belongs to humanity.
– Dalai Lama

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

I don’t think generally politician come from democratic country. I think not that thinking. But sometimes little bit short-sighted. They are mainly looking for their next vote.
– Dalai Lama

I am sometimes sad when I hear the personal stories of Tibetan refugees who have been tortured or beaten. Some irritation, some anger comes. But it never lasts long. I always try to think at a deeper level, to find ways to console.
– Dalai Lama

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

When you are discontent, you always want 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.
– Dalai Lama

Sleep is the best meditation.
– Dalai Lama

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
– Dalai Lama

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

I describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk. No more, no less.
– Dalai Lama

Of course, when I say that human nature is gentleness, it is not 100 percent so. Every human being has that nature, but there are many people acting against their nature, being false.
– Dalai Lama

If I had remained in Lhasa, even without the Chinese occupation, I would probably have carried the ceremonial role in some orthodox way.
– Dalai Lama

Many Tibetans sacrifice their lives.
– Dalai Lama

Today different ethnic groups and different nations come together due to common sense.
– Dalai Lama

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

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.
– Dalai Lama

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
– Dalai Lama

There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.
– Dalai Lama

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

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

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.
– Dalai Lama

Conversion is not my intention. Changing religion is not easy. You may develop some kind of confusion or difficulties.
– Dalai Lama

The Tibetan people will need to determine who the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is.
– Dalai Lama

I want to be just a pure spiritual leader.
– Dalai Lama

I have no trouble sleeping.
– Dalai Lama

Number of people have said to me, after hearing your thinking, their mind becomes much more happier.
– Dalai Lama

I have done one thing that I think is a contribution: I helped Buddhist science and modern science combine. No other Buddhist has done that. Other lamas, I don’t think they ever pay attention to modern science. Since my childhood, I have a keen interest.
– Dalai Lama

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

Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that’s important. Self-discipline with awareness of consequences.
– Dalai Lama

In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.
– Dalai Lama

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.
– Dalai Lama

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

As a human being, anger is a part of our mind. Irritation also part of our mind. But you can do – anger come, go. Never keep in your sort of – your inner world, then create a lot of suspicion, a lot of distrust, a lot of negative things, more worry.
– Dalai Lama

My main hope is eventually, in modern education field, introduce education about warm-heartedness, not based on religion, but based on common experience and a common sort of sense, and then scientific finding.
– Dalai Lama

I always believe the rule by king or official leader is outdated. Now we must catch up with the modern world.
– Dalai Lama

In most cases, my visits to the West are for promotion of human values and religious harmony.
– Dalai Lama

Wherever I go meeting the public… spreading a message of human values, spreading a message of harmony, is the most important thing.
– Dalai Lama