Dalai Lama Quotes
Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader of Tibet, and considered a living Buddha. He was born into a peasant family on the 6th of July, 1935 in Taktser, China. He assumed political power of Tibet as the Dalai Lama at the age of 15.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. In December 2008, the Dalai Lama announced his semi-retirement after having gallstone surgery.
Below, you will find a collection of famous Dalai Lama quotes and sayings that will inspire you to be compassionate towards the people you meet in life and embrace inner peace.
60 Dalai Lama Quotes About Life, Humanity & Happiness
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide. No matter what people call you, you are just who you are. Keep to this truth. You must ask yourself how is it you want to live your life. We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone. No one can help us, not even the Buddha. So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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 Quotes
“If we think only of ourselves, forget about other people, then our minds occupy very small area. Inside that small area, even tiny problem appears very big. But the moment you develop a sense of concern for others, you realize that, just like ourselves, they also want happiness; they also want satisfaction. When you have this sense of concern, your mind automatically widens. At this point, your own problems, even big problems, will not be so significant. The result? Big increase in peace of mind. So, if you think only of yourself, only your own happiness, the result is actually less happiness. You get more anxiety, more fear.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“To be kind, honest and have positive thoughts; to forgive those who harm us and treat everyone as a friend; to help those who are suffering and never to consider ourselves superior to anyone else: even if this advice seems rather simplistic, make the effort of seeing whether by following it you can find greater happiness.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“We are visitors on this planet. We are here for one hundred years at the very most. During that period we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives. if you contribute to other people’s happiness, you will find the true meaning of life.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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 Quotes
“To remain indifferent to the challenges we face is indefensible. If the goal is noble, whether or not it is realized within our lifetime is largely irrelevant. What we must do therefore is to strive and persevere and never give up.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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 Quotes
“We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others’ activities. For this reason, it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“It is very rare or almost impossible that an event can be negative from all points of view.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Non-violence means dialogue, using our language, the human language. Dialogue means compromise; respecting each other’s rights; in the spirit of reconciliation there is a real solution to conflict and disagreement. There is no hundred percent winner, no hundred percent loser—not that way but half-and-half. That is the practical way, the only way.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“One problem with our current society is that we have an attitude towards education as if it is there to simply make you more clever, make you more ingenious… Even though our society does not emphasize this, the most important use of knowledge and education is to help us understand the importance of engaging in more wholesome actions and bringing about discipline within our minds. The proper utilization of our intelligence and knowledge is to effect changes from within to develop a good heart.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Happiness doesn’t always come from a pursuit. Sometimes it comes when we least expect it.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Human use, population, and technology have reached that certain stage where mother Earth no longer accepts our presence with silence.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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 Quotes
“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.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility…without this inner peace, no matter how comfortable your life is materially, you may still be worried, disturbed, or unhappy because of circumstances.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“All suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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 Quotes
“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.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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 Quotes
“There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.’
No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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 dont 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.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“A truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change even if they behave negatively or hurt you.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals the secret of some hidden treasure.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Whether you believe in God or not does not matter so much, whether you believe in Buddha or not does not matter so much; as a Buddhist, whether you believe in reincarnation or not does not matter so much. You must lead a good life. And a good life does not mean just good food, good clothes, good shelter. These are not sufficient. A good motivation is what is needed: compassion, without dogmatism, without complicated philosophy; just understanding that others are human brothers and sisters and respecting their rights and human dignity.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Wherever you have friends that’s your country, and wherever you receive love, that’s your home.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“I don’t know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but at the very least, it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Anger or hatred is like a fisherman’s hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“A genuine, affectionate smile is very important in our day-to-day lives.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“The various features and aspects of human life, such as longevity, good health, success, happiness, and so forth, which we consider desirable, are all dependent on kindness and a good heart.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“If there is no solution to the problem then don’t waste time worrying about it. If there is a solution to the problem then don’t waste time worrying about it.―Dalai Lama Quotes
“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“The more you are motivated by Love, The more Fearless & Free your action will be.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“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 Quotes
20 Short Dalai Lama Quotes & Sayings
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“The way to change others’ minds is with affection, and not anger.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“True change is within; leave the outside as it is.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“I defeat my enemies when I make them my friends.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self. ―Dalai Lama Quotes
The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Compassion is the radicalism of our time.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Someone else’s action should not determine your response.” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.”―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Silence is sometimes the best answer” ―Dalai Lama Quotes
“Love is the absence of judgment.”―Dalai Lama Quotes