When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.
— Dalai Lama
The important thing is that men should have a purpose in life. It should be something useful, something good.
Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that's important. Self-discipline with awareness of consequences.
In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.
I think really, China, Chinese, I think they really have a long history of civilization, rich culture.
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.
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.'
My desire to devolve authority has nothing to do with a wish to shirk responsibility.
I consider myself as a free spokesman for the people.
As long as I am alive, I am fully committed to amity between Tibetans and Chinese. Otherwise there's no use.
I want to be just a pure spiritual leader.
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.
Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.
If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it.
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.
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.
Computers make me totally blank out.
I think governments can't do much.
Appearance is something absolute, but reality is not that way - everything is interdependent, not absolute.
I think there's every reason this 21st century will be much happier.
Number of people have said to me, after hearing your thinking, their mind becomes much more happier.
World belongs to humanity, not this leader, that leader or that king or prince or religious leader. World belongs to humanity.
Even when we have physical hardships, we can be very happy.
I am just one human being.
Today different ethnic groups and different nations come together due to common sense.
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.
I always believe the rule by king or official leader is outdated. Now we must catch up with the modern world.
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.
With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world.
If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.
In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.
The purpose of our lives is to be happy.
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.
Conversion is not my intention. Changing religion is not easy. You may develop some kind of confusion or difficulties.
Wherever I go meeting the public... spreading a message of human values, spreading a message of harmony, is the most important thing.
A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity.
I never dreamt, in my dream, I'm Dalai Lama.
I describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk. No more, no less.
There are techniques of Buddhism, such as meditation, that anyone can adopt.
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.
If some people have the belief or view that the Dalai Lama has some miracle power, that's totally nonsense.
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.
I always tell people that religious institutions and political institutions should be separate. So while I'm telling people this, I myself continue with them combined. Hypocrisy!
Disagreement is something normal.
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.
The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis.
Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.
Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.
The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.
