Dalai Lama
19,231,273 followers
If we look at the buildings we live and work in, the roads we travel, the clothes we wear, or the food we eat, we must acknowledge that all are provided by others. None would exist for us to enjoy and make use of were it not for the kindness of so many people unknown to us.
Always having feelings of closeness to others and maintaining a loving mind is the sole foundation for building everything we wish for. Focusing on small differences in outer appearances to divide and discriminate is nothing but ignorance.
We are all basically the same. We all have the same human mind. It is true that external influences—one’s surroundings and so forth—are important, but ultimately the nature of mind itself is more important. Each and every one of us has the same potential, the same mental quality.
The only way to effectively deal with negative emotions, the only way to really reduce them, is through the mind, through the application of counteractive mental states that oppose the negative emotions affecting us. That’s the only real, long-term way to reduce them.
HHDL speaking on the fist day of his two day teaching on the occasion of Buddha Shakyamuni's Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana Day at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, HP, India on June 13, 2022. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
If we take a sense of universal altruism seriously, where is there room to have enemies? Our real enemies and the enemies of humanity are negative emotions like anger and hatred. Indeed, people who are dominated by powerful negative emotions should be objects of our compassion.
Satisfaction is characterized by inner peace. It arises from generosity, honesty and what I call ethical conduct, a way of behaving that respects others’ right to be happy.
Many of the problems we face are of our own creation. They come about because of a lack of compassion. That’s why I’m dedicated to promoting both compassion and non-violence in a secular context grounded in reason.
Various emotions are part of our mind and part of our life. Jealousy that amounts to competitiveness can stimulate us to achieve more—then it’s good. When the result is that we try to harm others to beat them, it’s to be avoided.
Join us for a free viewing of the documentary Mission: Joy that shares the wonderful friendship between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu and shows how we can live a more joyous life starting June 2nd 5pm PDT/June 3rd 5:30am IST (India) for 2 days missionjoy.org/UNITE
In the past, our nations were more or less independent of each other. People lived in villages that were self-sufficient. So, the words 'we' and 'us' referred to a small circle of people. Today, the reality is different we are all brothers and sisters and we have to live together
Various emotions are part of our mind and part of our life. Jealousy that amounts to competitiveness can stimulate us to achieve more—then it’s good. When the result is that we try to harm others to beat them, it’s to be avoided.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's message for Vesak, the Buddhist celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death on May 16, 2022. youtu.be/ENs7rKB3MGI
We have to remember that each and every one of us is part of humanity. We must be determined to achieve positive change, but also to take a long view of what needs to be done. What is important is not to become demoralized. Optimism leads to success; pessimism leads to defeat.
For most of us, our mother is our first teacher. My mother first showed me compassion and one of the things about her was that she always presented a kind face. As human beings, our lives begin in the shelter of our mother's care and affection, without which we would not survive.
I believe that human nature is fundamentally gentle and compassionate, but it is not enough that this is our underlying nature; we must also develop an appreciation and awareness of that fact, which can have a very real impact on how we conduct our daily lives.
Warm-heartedness is not blind when it is combined with intelligence. We view behaviour as harsh or gentle largely on the basis of appearances, but the real distinction depends on the motivation with which it is done.
We must continually consider the oneness of humanity, remembering that we all want to be happy. And indeed, everyone has a right to a happy life. We may face problems, but we must not lose hope. We must keep up our determination without being impatient to achieve quick results.
A young girl asking HHDL if he ever gets angry during his meeting with friends from around the world at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 11, 2022.
My favorite prayer says: "For as long as space endures, And for as long as living beings remain, Until then may I too abide, To dispel the misery of the world." And, in trying to fulfill that aspiration, I feel my life has been of some benefit.
The real source of peace of mind is love and compassion; not the love we feel for those who are close and already affectionate towards us, but an unlimited sense of altruism, a love that can be extended to all beings, including your enemy, which only human beings are capable of.
HHDL's advice to young people during his meeting with friends from around the world at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 11, 2022. youtu.be/n2-zkCNQBbg
HHDL taking part in a group photo with participants of the 25th Shoton Festival and Middle Way Approach Conference at the conclusion of their meeting in the courtyard of the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 7, 2022. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
That the air we breathe, the water we drink, the forests and oceans which sustain countless life forms, and the climatic patterns that govern our weather systems all transcend national boundaries is a source of hope — no country can afford not to take action in this context.
The fact that inner peace is the principal characteristic of happiness, explains the paradox that while we can all think of people who remain dissatisfied, despite having every material advantage, there are others who remain happy, despite the most difficult circumstances
Warm-heartedness leads to a healthy mind. Peace of mind allows us to sleep soundly. I’m not talking about the benefits of the next life or of finding God, but of being a peaceful person with a calm mind and a warm heart here and now.
Giving is recognized as a virtue in every major religion and in every civilized society, and it clearly benefits both the giver and the receiver. The one who receives is relieved from the pangs of want. The one who gives can take comfort from the joy their gift brings to others.
Never Forget Tibet: The Dalai Lama’s Untold Story - Premiere March 31. This documentary explores one of the most significant moments in 20th Century history, his escape into exile from occupied Tibet in 1959 told in his own words for the first time on film bit.ly/3Js6Atz
Compassion is to have a sense of concern for others and the community. Look at today's world—we are interdependent. We can't think only of my nation's interests. We have to take the whole world into account. Let us live happily together, helping each other rather than fighting.
HHDL taking a group photo with newly ordained novice nuns at the conclusion of the ordination ceremony at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 14, 2022. (Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel)
HHDL in an online dialogue with young peace builders organized by International Campaign for Tibet, PeaceJam, and the documentary Never Forget Tibet, at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 9, 2022. (Photo by Tenzin Jamphel)
Times change and reality changes. In the past, social customs and cultural tradition may have held women back, but modern times favor equality and education has brought equality of opportunity. Now is the time to change our old ways of thinking—gender, color, no difference.
HHDL’s Greetings for the Tibetan New Year (Losar) on March 3, 2022.
youtu.be/g29mozCWzug
One of the commitments that guide my life is to promoting human values based on common sense and scientific findings. What we need is more self-confidence, which comes from concern for others' well-being. The real source of inner strength and self-confidence is warm-heartedness.
HHDL speaks on how we can overcome our negative emotions. youtu.be/duSO5ePO6xs
We may sometimes feel that we can't do much as individuals, but humanity is made up of individuals; together we can make a difference. As individuals we can influence our own families. Our families can influence our communities and our communities can influence our nations.
True compassion is not just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason. Therefore, our compassion for others does not change even if they behave negatively. Our sense of responsibility gives rise to a wish to help others actively overcome their problems.
The basis of moral principles is to have a real concern for the well-being of others and an appreciation of the oneness of humanity. Whether science or religion is constructive or destructive depends on our motivation and whether we are guided by moral principles.
We share this one planet, our only home so we have to take better care of it. We must cultivate compassion not only for our fellow human beings, but also for the other animals, birds and insects with whom we share the world. Concern for others is necessary for our survival.
We live in hope, hope that something good will happen. As human beings we must be realistic and use our intelligence to look at things from different angles in order to see a more complete picture, but it is more constructive to remain hopeful than to become pessimistic.
I would regard a compassionate, warm, kindhearted person as healthy. If you maintain a feeling of compassion, loving kindness, then something automatically opens your inner door. Through that, you can communicate much more easily with other people.
When we care for others, we manifest an inner strength despite any difficulties we face. Our own problems will seem less significant and bothersome to us. Reaching beyond our own problems and taking care of others, we gain confidence, courage and a greater sense of calm.
Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh lived a truly meaningful life. I have no doubt the best way we can pay tribute to him is to continue his work to promote peace in the world. bit.ly/35dUncV
We have to make an effort to extend our natural compassion, not just through prayer or coining nice words, but by putting our intelligence to good use. That’s how we’ll become happy ourselves, living in a happy family, a happy community and a happier world.
We can learn from the great achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. to recognize that non-violence is the best long-term approach to redressing injustice. If the twentieth century was a century of violence, let us make the twenty-first a century of dialogue.
One of my commitments is to promote human values based on common sense and scientific findings. What we need is more self-confidence, which comes from concern for others' well-being. The real source of inner strength and self-confidence is warm-heartedness.
Materialistic values cannot give us peace of mind. So we really need to focus on our inner values, our true humanity. Only this way can we find peace of mind—and more peace in our world. A lot of the problems we are facing like war and violence are our own creation.
The ultimate source of happiness is within us. Not money, not power, not status. Some of my friends are billionaires, but they are very unhappy people. Power and money fail to bring inner peace. Outward attainment will not bring real inner joyfulness. We must look inside.
Twiends™ uses the Twitter™ API, displays it's logo & trademarks, and is not endorsed or certified by them. These items remain the property of Twitter.
We do not sell followers, we only provide display advertising. Bots & fake accounts are not permitted on twiends. © 2009