Dalai Lama Quotes, Status, and Thoughts

Try to remain truthful. The power of truth never declines. Force and violence may be effective in the short term, but in the long run it's truth that prevails.

It is the state of mind of the person wielding the instrument that determines to what end it will be put.

The foundation of the Buddha's teachings lies in compassion, and the reason for practicing the teachings is to wipe out the persistence of ego, the number-one enemy of compassion.

The more we think of others, the happier we are. The more we think of ourselves, the more suffering we feel.

A learned person will become noble only when he or she has put into real practice what has been learned, instead of mere words.

My message is always the same: to cultivate and practice love, kindness, compassion and tolerance.

We have a responsibility to look after our planet. It is our only home.

Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.

Once you have a genuine sense of concern for others, there’s no room for cheating, bullying or exploitation.

You must not hate those who do wrong or harmful things; but with compassion, you must do what you can to stop them — for they are harming themselves, as well as those who suffer from their actions.

I think technology really increased human ability, but technology cannot produce compassion.

Women have the capacity to lead us to a more peaceful world with compassion, affection, and kindness.

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

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.

I want to say, without hesitation, the purpose of our life is happiness.

I'd rather be kind than right. You can always be kind.

The way to change others' minds is with affection, and not anger.

Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. This is not just a dream, but a necessity.

We must generate courage equal to the size of the difficulties we face.

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

A simple smile. That's the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others.

Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of each day remembering we all want the same things (to be happy and be loved) and we are all connected to one another.

The point of life is happiness.

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.

True friendship develops not as a result of money or power but on the basis of genuine human affection.

When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves or some immediate convenience. When we are able to recognize and forgive ignorant actions of the past, we gain strength to constructively solve the problems of the present.

The real destroyer of inner peace is fear and distrust. Fear develops frustration, frustration develops anger, anger develops violence.

When we are caught up in a destructive emotion, we lose one of our greatest assets: our independence.

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.'

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

Love and compassion benefit both ourselves and others. Through kindness to others, your heart and mind will be peaceful and open. - 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. - Dalai Lama

A tree with strong roots can withstand the most violent storm, but the tree can't grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon.- Dalai Lama

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

Smile if you want a smile from another face.

Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

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

Follow the three R's: - Respect for self. - Respect for others. - Responsibility for all your actions.

If your heart has peace, nothing can disturb you.

If someone does not smile at you, be generous and offer your own smile. Nobody needs a smile more than the one that cannot smile to others.

Through difficult experiences, life sometimes becomes more meaningful.

If it can be solved, there's no need to worry, and if it can't be solved, worry is of no use.

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

When you talk you are only repeating something you already know. But, if you listen you may learn something new.

The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.

Don't ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance or my kindness for weakness. Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.

The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be.

A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.

The world doesn’t belong to leaders. The world belongs to all humanity.

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

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

It is very rare or almost impossible that an event can be negative from all points of view.

Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.

It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.

We need to learn to want what we have, not to have what we want, in order to get stable and steady happiness.

The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.

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

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. – Dalai Lama

Our visit to this planet is short, so we should use our time meaningfully, which we can do by helping others wherever possible. – Dalai Lama

The time of greatest gain in wisdom and inner strength is often the time of greatest difficulty. – Dalai Lama

Our ancient experience confirms at every point that everything is linked together, everything is inseparable. – Dalai Lama

Love is the absence of judgment. – Dalai Lama

Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck. – Dalai Lama

Compassion naturally creates a positive atmosphere, and as a result you feel peaceful and content. – Dalai Lama

Anger is the ultimate destroyer of your own peace of mind. - Dalai Lama

We need to learn how to want what we have NOT to have what we want in order to get steady and stable Happiness. - Dalai Lama

Compassion is the radicalism of our time. - Dalai Lama

I believe the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in that religion or this religion, we are all seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness. - Dalai Lama

Irrespective of whether we are believers or agnostics, whether we believe in God or karma, moral ethics is a code which everyone is able to pursue. - Dalai Lama

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

Instead of wondering WHY this is happening to you, consider why this is happening to YOU. - Dalai Lama

The way to change others’ minds is with affection, and not anger. - Dalai Lama

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

Neither a space station nor an enlightened mind can be realized in a day. - Dalai Lama

The more you are motivated by Love, The more Fearless & Free your action will be. - Dalai Lama

A truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change even if they behave negatively or hurt you. - Dalai Lama

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

The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world. - Dalai Lama

Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality. - Dalai Lama

When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. - Dalai Lama

World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion. - Dalai Lama

Let us try to recognize the precious nature of each day. - Dalai Lama

The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual’s own reason and critical analysis. - Dalai Lama

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. - Dalai Lama

Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek. - Dalai Lama

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost. - Dalai Lama

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. - Dalai Lama

The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness. - 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

Choose to be optimistic, it feels better. – Dalai Lama

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

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

A spoon cannot taste of the food it carries. Likewise, a foolish man cannot understand the wise man´s wisdom even if he associates with a sage. – Dalai Lama

An eye for an eye….we are all blind – Dalai Lama

Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay. – Dalai Lama

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

Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.