Quote Archives: 14th Dalai Lama

Decorative dharma ~ 14th Dalai Lama

One should not view one’s dharma practice as being something decorative, regarding statues and images as material possessions or as furnishings for one’s house, or thinking that because there is an empty space on a wall one might as well put up a thangka for decoration. That kind of attitude should not be cultivated. When […]

A Sense of Compassion ~ 14th Dalai Lama

I feel that a sense of compassion is the most precious thing there is. 14th Dalai Lama

Actions are irreversible ~ 14th Dalai Lama

Countless rebirths lie ahead, both good and bad. The effects of karma (actions) are inevitable, and in previous lifetimes we have accumulated negative karma which will inevitably have its fruition in this or future lives. Just as someone witnessed by police in a criminal act will eventually be caught and punished, so we too must […]

Every morning ~ 14th Dalai Lama

Every morning when I wake up, I dedicate myself to helping others to find peace of mind. Then, when I meet people, I think of them as long time friends; I don’t regard others as strangers. 14th Dalai Lama

Scientific analysis ~ 14th Dalai Lama

If scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims. 14th Dalai Lama

Slaves to powerful emotion ~ 14th Dalai Lama

Everyone wants a happy life without difficulties or suffering. We create many of the problems we face. No one intentionally creates problems, but we tend to be slaves to powerful emotions like anger, hatred and attachment that are based on misconceived projections about people and things. We need to find ways of reducing these emotions […]

Basic human values oriented by nature ~ 14th Dalai Lama

We are all, by nature, clearly oriented toward the basic human values of love and compassion. We all prefer the love of others to their hatred. We all prefer others generosity to meanness. And who is there among us who does not prefer tolerance, respect and forgiveness of our failings to bigotry, disrespect, and resentment? […]

Fulfilling our goals ~ 14th Dalai Lama

We live in a world in which we are dependent on others; we cannot expect to fulfill our goals while disregarding others’ needs. 14th Dalai Lama

Living together ~ 14th Dalai Lama

Some people consider the practice of love and compassion is only related to religious practice and if they are not interested in religion they neglect these inner values. But love and compassion are qualities that human beings require just to live together. 14th Dalai Lama

Compassion in action ~ 14th Dalai Lama

It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act. 14th Dalai Lama

Using the present well ~ 14th 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. 14th Dalai Lama

Some time alone ~ 14th Dalai Lama

Spend some time alone every day. 14th Dalai Lama

Reason based Path ~ 14th Dalai Lama

Reason well from the beginning and then there will never be any need to look back with confusion and doubt. 14th Dalai Lama

Our true enemy ~ 14th Dalai Lama

Hatred is compared to an enemy. This internal enemy, this inner enemy, has no other function than causing us harm. It is our true enemy, our ultimate enemy. It has no other function than simply destroying us, both in the immediate term and in the long term. 14th Dalai Lama

Effect of compassion ~ 14th Dalai Lama

True compassion brings with it the dispelling of internal tensions, a state of calmness and serenity. 14th Dalai Lama

Science ~ 14th Dalai Lama

If science proves some belief of Buddhism wrong, then Buddhism will have to change. In my view, science and Buddhism share a search for the truth and for understanding reality. By learning from science about aspects of reality where its understanding may be more advanced, I believe that Buddhism enriches its own worldview. 14th Dalai […]

Enlightenment is not far off ~ 14th Dalai Lama

We humans are actually not that far from enlightenment. Our five senses are like the Emanation Body of a Buddha; our dream body, which is similar to the after-death form, is like a Buddha’s Beatific Form; and the basis of both of these is the subtle mind of clear light which shares the nature of […]

The key to human happiness ~ 14th Dalai Lama

The key to human happiness lies within our own state of mind, and so too do the primary obstacles to that happiness. 14th Dalai Lama