Photo credit: Christopher Michel, Wikipedia
Over 90 The 14th Dalai Lama Love Quotes and other Sayings
#1 Quoted in A Small Drop of Ink: A Collection of Inspirational and Moving Quotations of the Ages, 2003, Linda Pendleton
1. Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
#2 Nobel Lecture, 11 December 1989
2. When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.
#3 The Compassionate Life
3. No material object, however beautiful or valuable, can make us feel loved.
#4 The Essential Dalai Lama: His Important Teachings, Rajiv Mehrotra
4. Loving oneself is crucial. If we do not love ourselves, how can we love others?
#5 Ancient Wisdom, Modern World: Ethics for the New Millennium
5. Ultimately the important point to keep in mind is that the whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, forgiveness and so on.
#6 The Compassionate Life
6. We all share an identical need for love, and on the basis of this commonality, it is possible to feel that anybody we meet, in whatever circumstances, is a brother or sister. No matter how new the face or how different the dress or behavior, there is no significant division between us and other people. It is foolish to dwell on external differences because our basic natures are the same.
#7 Compassion and the Individual
7. The need for love lies at the very foundation of human existence.
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Excerpt from Wikipedia: The Dalai Lama is a lineage of religious officials of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. “Lama” is a general term referring to Tibetan Buddhist teachers. In religious terms, the Dalai Lama is believed by his devotees to be the rebirth of a long line of tulkus who descend from the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. Traditionally, His Holiness is thought of as the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn in order to enlighten others. The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the director of the Gelug School, but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa, which is a temporary position appointed by the Dalai Lama (who in practice exerts much influence).
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Sayings by The 14th Dalai Lama
#1 Especially for Christians: Powerful Thought-provoking Words from the Past, 2005, Mark Alton Rose
1. All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness … the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.
#2 Twitter, 26 June 2017
2. Compassion brings us peace of mind. It brings a smile to our face and genuine smiles bring us closer together.
#3 Twitter, 08 May 2017
3. If in day to day life you lead a good life, honestly, with love, compassion, and less selfishness, then automatically you will find peace.
#4 Twitter, 31 March 2017
4. We can make this a more peaceful century if we cherish non-violence and concern for others’ well-being.
Dalai Lama, “If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” Photo credit: Wikipedia
#5 Quoted in Meditations for Living In Balance: Daily Solutions for People Who Do Too Much, 2000, Anne Wilson Schaef
5. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
#6 Your Emotional Fitness: Everything You Need to Know to Live a Life of Abundance. Balboa Press. pp. 173
6. There is a saying in Tibetan that “at the door of the miserable rich man sleeps the contented beggar”. The point of this saying is not that poverty is a virtue, but that happiness does not come with wealth, but from setting limits to one’s desires, and living within those limits with satisfaction.
#7 Tibet’s Living Buddha, Pico Iyer, p. 32
7. 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.
#8-9 The Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness, 1990, Kindness and Compassion
8. 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. (p. 52)
9. 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. (p. 47)
#10 The Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness, 1990, Living Sanely
10. Further, 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. (p. 99)
#11 The Path to Enlightenment
11. To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else. Rather than speaking badly about people and in ways that will produce friction and unrest in their lives, we should practice pure perception of them, and when we speak of others only speak of their good qualities. (p. 114)
#12 Facebook, 31 March 2017
12. The very purpose of our life is happiness, which is sustained by hope. We have no guarantee about the future, but we exist in the hope of something better. Hope means keeping going, thinking, ‘I can do this.’ It brings inner strength, self-confidence, the ability to do what you do honestly, truthfully and transparently.
#13 The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World
13. So, you see, 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.
#14 Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World
14. Giving material goods is one form of generosity, but one can extend an attitude of generosity into all one’s behavior. Being kind, attentive, and honest in dealings with others, offering praise where it is due, giving comfort and advice where they are needed, and simply sharing one’s time with someone – all these are forms of generosity, and they do not require any particular level of material wealth.
#15 Google+, 6 April 2012
15. Disturbing emotions not only disturb our own state of mind, they also disturb the minds of others. Self-centredness gives rise to fear and insecurity, which in turn creates distrust. This is why having an altruistic attitude brings a great sense of happiness and peace of mind.
#16 The Compassionate Life
16. Thus we find that kindness and a good heart form the underlying foundation for our success in this life, our progress on the spiritual path, and our fulfillment of our ultimate aspirations, the attainment of full enlightenment. Hence, compassion and a good heart are not only important at the beginning but also in the middle and at the end. Their necessity and value are not limited to any specific time, place, society, or culture.
#17 The Dalai Lama Foundation, 20 May 2014
17. Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.
#18 Twitter, 09 February 2017
18. Be a kind and compassionate person. This is the inner beauty that is a key factor to making a better world.
#19-20 Kindness, Clarity, and Insight, 1984
19. My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
20. 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.
#21 A Precious Human Life
21. 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.
#22 Twitter, 27 January 2017
22. Inner peace helps sustain good health, gives rise to happy individuals, happy families, happy communities and ultimately a happy humanity.
#23 The New York Times: Behind Our Anxiety, the Fear of Being Unneeded (The Dalai Lama and Arthur C. Brooks), 04 November 2016
23. Everyone has something valuable to share. We should start each day by consciously asking ourselves, “What can I do today to appreciate the gifts that others offer me?”
#24-25 “Westerners are too self-absorbed”, Alice Thomson, in The Daily Telegraph, 1 March 2006
24. But you have to have morals, to strive for basic, good human qualities. I don’t want to convert people to Buddhism – all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.
25. Some say I am a good person, some say I am a charlatan — I am just a monk. I never asked people like Richard Gere to come, but it is foolish to stop them. I have Tibetans, Indians, backpackers, AIDS patients, religious people, politicians, actors and princesses. My attitude is to give everyone some of my time. If I can contribute in any way to their happiness, that makes me happy.
#26 Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness
26. 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. (p. 40)
#27 How to Be Compassionate: A Handbook for Creating Inner Peace and a Happier World
27. This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple; the philosophy is simple kindness. (p. 120)
#28 Twitter, 6 September 2016
28. Change starts with us as individuals. If one individual becomes more compassionate it will influence others and so we will change the world.
#29-32 Nobel lecture, 11 December 1989 [S]
29. Because we all share this small planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity.
30. 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.
31. True peace with oneself and with the world around us can only be achieved through the development of mental peace.
32. Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each one of us individually.
#33 Imagine All the People: A Conversation with the Dalai Lama on Money, Politics, and Life As It Could Be
33. 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.
#34 The Dalai Lama at Harvard: Lectures on the Buddhist Path to Peace, 1988, Jeffrey Hopkins
34. The root of happiness is altruism — the wish to be of service to others.
#35 Interview with Catherine Ingram, Dharamsala, India, 2 November 1988
35. I feel that the essence of spiritual practice is your attitude toward others. When you have a pure, sincere motivation, then you have right attitude toward others based on kindness, compassion, love and respect.
#36 Facebook, 6 March 2010
36. True compassion is not just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason. Therefore, a truly compassionate attitude towards others does not change even if they behave negatively.
#37 The Dalai Lama Foundation, 1 May 2014
37. 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. Develop the heart. Be compassionate; Not just with your friends, But with everyone. Be compassionate. Work for peace; In your heart, And in the world. Work for peace. And I say again, Never give up. No matter what is going on around you, Never give up.
#38 How To Practise: The Way to a Meaningful Life
38. 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.
#39 The Transformed Mind
39. Positive emotions or peace of mind is a positive influence on this body. This is the basis of my belief. This does not mean that we have no negative aspects to our nature. Negative emotions are also part of our mind. I think another explanation is that the most effective way to change others’ minds is with affection, and not anger.
#40 Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness
40. 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.
#41 The Dalai Lama Foundation, 5 November 2013
41. Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.
#42 Twitter, 24 October 2011
42. As our own peace of mind grows, so the atmosphere around us becomes more peaceful.
#43-44 The Good Heart: A Buddhist Perspective on the Teachings of Jesus, Dalai Lama
43. 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.
44. I believe 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.
#45-46 Dalai Lama on Compassion
45. From my own limited experience I have found that the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion.
46. As long as we live in this world we are bound to encounter problems. If, at such times, we lose hope and become discouraged, we diminish our ability to face difficulties. If, on the other hand, we remember that it is not just ourselves but every one who has to undergo suffering, this more realistic perspective will increase our determination and capacity to overcome troubles.
#47-48 Nobel acceptance speech, 10 December 1989
47. Although I have found my own Buddhist religion helpful in generating love and compassion, even for those we consider our enemies, I am convinced that everyone can develop a good heart and a sense of universal responsibility with or without religion.
48. 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.
#49 Twitter, 19 June 2017
49. A more peaceful world and a more peaceful century require that we rely not on weapons but on developing a widespread inner peace.
#50 Quoted in Nobel Prize Winners, 1991, Lisa F. Dewitt
50. I am a simple Buddhist monk — no more, no less.
#51 Twitter, 5 June 2017
51. Protecting our environment is not a luxury we can choose to enjoy, but a simple matter of survival.
#52 Twitter, 5 May 2017
52. The future can be different if we choose to make it so. There is no time for complacency, hope lies in what action we take.
#53 Facebook, 5 November 2013
53. We need to strengthen such inner values as contentment, patience and tolerance, as well as compassion for others. Keeping in mind that it is expressions of affection rather than money and power that attract real friends, compassion is the key to ensuring our own well-being.
#54 Google+, 19 November 2013
54. If we are demoralized, sad and only complain, we’ll not solve our problems. If we only pray for a solution, we’ll not solve our problems. We need to face them, to deal with them without violence, but with confidence – and never give up. If you adopt a non-violent approach, but are also hesitant within, you’ll not succeed. You have to have confidence and keep up your efforts – in other words, never give up.
#55 Facebook, 6 January 2014
55. There needs to be understanding that anger never helps to solve a problem. It destroys our peace of mind and blinds our ability to think clearly. Anger and attachment are emotions that distort our view of reality.
#56 Facebook, 13 January 2014
56. I consider non-violence to be compassion in action. It doesn’t mean weakness, cowering in fear, or simply doing nothing. It is to act without violence, motivated by compassion, recognising the rights of others.
#57 Twitter, 17 August 2010
57. Peace does not come through prayer, we human beings must create peace.
#58-59 Policy of Kindness: An Anthology of Writings by and about the Dalai Lama
58. I believe that happiness is the purpose of life.
59. Inner strength is the ultimate source of success.
#60 The Path to Tranquility: Daily Wisdom, 1998, Renuka Singh
60. Human happiness and human satisfaction must ultimately come from within oneself.
#61 Twitter, 12 May 2017
61. Money and power attract friends. But it’s not you they’re friends with — just your money and power. Only affection brings genuine friends.
#62 Twitter, 13 March 2017
62. Caring for others is the best way to fulfill our own interests. We are social animals; we need to be warm-hearted and to take care of others.
#63 The Dalai Lama’s Big Book of Happiness: How to Live in Freedom, Compassion, and Love
63. Forgiveness does not mean to forget. Or forgiveness does not mean you accept the other’s wrongdoing. I think the essence of forgiveness is not to have negative feelings such as anger arise toward the wrongdoer.
#64 Twitter, 20 February 2017
64. The purpose of education is to build a happier society, we need a more holistic approach that promotes the practice of love and compassion.
The 14th Dalai Lama with former President Barack Obama 18 February 2010, Photo credit: Wikipedia
#65 The Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness, 1990, A Talk to Western Buddhists
65. It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives. If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is to desist from harming them. (p. 89)
#66 Ancient Wisdom, Modern World: Ethics for the New Millennium
66. Given human beings’ love of peace, truth, justice, and freedom, creating a better, more compassionate world is a genuine possibility. The potential is there.
#67 Twitter, 29 November 2016
67. We know that everyone who is born has to die, but the important thing is that while we are alive we should make our lives meaningful.
#68 facebook, 12 March 2010
68. The sense of contentment is the key factor for attaining happiness. Bodily health, material wealth and companions and friends are three factors for happiness. Contentment is the key that will determine the outcome of your relations with all three of these factors.
#69 Twitter, 30 September 2016
69. When you have a more compassionate mind and cultivate warmheartedness, the whole atmosphere around you becomes more positive and friendlier.
#70 Twitter, 2 August 2016
70. We think that if we have health and wealth they’re enough to be happy, but actually happiness depends on the state of our minds.
#71 Twitter, 15 July 2016
71. We may sometimes feel that we can’t do much as individuals, but humanity is made up of individuals; we can make a difference.
#72 Twitter, 2 November 2012
72. A mind wishing to benefit other people and other sentient beings is the very basis of peace and happiness.
#73 Twitter, 1 July 2016
73. Genuine peace in the world depends on our having peace in our hearts. If we are full of anger how can we expect to bring about peace.
#74 Twitter, 25 April 2016
74. If we remember the oneness of humanity and think of each other as brothers and sisters we can overcome that potential for violence.
#75 The World of Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview of Its Philosophy and Practice
75. Blessings must come from within. Without your own effort, it is impossible for blessings to come.
#76 Twitter, 18 April 2016
76. The time has come for us to consider seriously how to change our way of life not through prayer or religious teaching, but through education.
#77 Twitter, 29 October 2012
77. Peace in the world relies on individuals finding inner peace.
#78 The Dalai Lama Foundation, 23 November 2014
78. Good things do not happen of their own accord, we have to make them happen.
#79 Twitter, 5 January 2015
79. You can’t buy inner peace or wisdom with money. You have to create them within yourself.
#80 Facebook, 1 July 2013
80. Be a good human being, a warm-hearted affectionate person. That is my fundamental belief. Having a sense of caring, a feeling of compassion will bring happiness of peace of mind to oneself and automatically create a positive atmosphere.
#81 Twitter, 11 December 2015
81. When you help others, do so out of respect. Don’t look down on them. Serve other human beings with a compassionate intent.
#82 Twitter, 25 November 2015
82. When faced with problems, don’t lose hope. Keep up your self-confidence and don’t be too impatient to achieve quick results.
#83 The Essence Of Wisdom
83. We each have a role to play in creating a climate for genuine peace.
#84 Twitter, 28 September 2015
84. Many think that happiness is to be found outside ourselves in material things, but actually happiness is something that comes from within.
#85 Twitter, 28 September 2015
85. Changing the world is up to us. If each of us tries, the next generation may see a happier, more peaceful world emerge.
#86 Twitter, 8 September 2015
86. It’s unrealistic to think that the future of humanity can be achieved through prayer or good wishes alone; what we need is to take action.
#87 Many Faiths, One Truth, The New York Times, 24 May 2010
87. Harmony among the major faiths has become an essential ingredient of peaceful coexistence in our world. From this perspective, mutual understanding among these traditions is not merely the business of religious believers — it matters for the welfare of humanity as a whole.
#88 Flight from Uluru to Perth and a Talk on the Wisdom of Giving & Receiving, 14 June 2015
88. Above all we need peace of mind. When the doctor advises us to relax, she means be calm, pacify your agitated mind, let go of stress. There must be supermarkets here in Perth, but do any of them sell peace of mind? If I were to go out and shout that I want to buy some peace of mind people would think I was crazy. The key to peace of mind is within and yet we always look for happiness and satisfaction outside ourselves.
#89 Twitter, 31 October 2014
89. If you make others happy, you’ll be happy. If you make others unhappy, you’ll be miserable.
#90-91 Dalai Lama Preaches Peace, Compassion in Boca Raton Talk, 25 February 2010
90. Out of compassion brings inner peace, and out of inner peace comes world peace. Without inner peace, we cannot have world peace.
91. Compassion is the seed of inner peace. We all have the same potential.
#92 Twitter, 12 June 2014
92. The quality of our actions, whether they are positive or negative, depends on our motivation. This is why we have to transform our minds.
#93 Twitter, 13 September 2017
93. I’m just one human being, but I believe each one of us has a responsibility to contribute to a happier humanity.
#94 Twitter, 19 September 2017
94. Whatever our religious faith, showing others loving kindness is the best way to bring about inner peace.
#95 Meeting with the Press and a Public Talk in San Diego [S]
95. …having a smart brain is not enough; we also need a warm heart.
#96 Twitter [S]
96. Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.
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Unsourced The 14th Dalai Lama Quotes
1. Love and Compassion are the true religions to me. But to develop this, we do not need to believe in any religion.
2. Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.
3. The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be.
4. We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.
5. Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
6. Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
7. We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.
8. Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.
9. 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.
10. In you lies the hope of creating a better future for the world.
11. I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.
12. Killing animals for sport, for pleasure, for adventure, and for hides and furs is a phenomena which is at once disgusting and distressing. There is no justification in indulging is such acts of brutality.
13. The ultimate source of my mental happiness is my peace of mind. Nothing can destroy this except my own anger.
14. In order to carry out a positive action we must first develop a positive vision.
15. The past can’t be changed but the future is ours to shape if we make the effort.
16. As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all beings.