Dalai Lama Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Dalai Lama quotes, Dalai Lama sayings, and Dalai Lama proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. Dalai Lama
Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individually. Peace, for example, starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us. Dalai Lama
How we fare in any given situation depends on the conduct of our body, speech, and mind. Since mind is the chief, a disciplined mind is essential. Dalai Lama
It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others. Dalai Lama
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. Dalai Lama
The moment you think only of yourself, the focus of your whole reality narrows, and because of this narrow focus, uncomfortable things can appear huge and bring you fear and discomfort and a sense of feeling overwhelmed by misery. Dalai Lama
Adopting an attitude of universal responsibility is essentially a personal matter. The real test of compassion is not what we say in abstract discussions but how we conduct ourselves in daily life. Dalai Lama
Meet hostility and suspicion with kindness. Helping others out of love is always the best option. Dalai Lama
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. Dalai Lama
Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health. Dalai Lama
Remember that sometimes, not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck. Dalai Lama
It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live. Dalai Lama
With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world. Dalai Lama
Wisdom is the best guide and faith is the best companion. Dalai Lama
A simple smile. That’s the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others. Dalai Lama
If we ourselves remain angry and then sing world peace, it has little meaning. First, our individual self must learn peace. This we can practice. Then we can teach the rest of the world. Dalai Lama
Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values. Dalai Lama
What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful. Dalai Lama
Fear, hatred, and suspicion narrow your mind compassion opens it. Dalai Lama
Instead of harboring fear and suspicion we need to think of other people not as ‘them’ but ‘us’. Dalai Lama
Values are related to our emotions, just as we practice physical hygiene to preserve our physical health, we need to observe emotional hygiene to preserve a healthy mind and attitudes. Dalai Lama
Human satisfaction must ultimately come from within oneself. Dalai Lama
We often add to our pain and suffering by being overly sensitive, over-reacting to minor things, and sometimes taking things too personally. Dalai Lama
Today, as we wish each other a Happy New Year, let us determine to be more sincere, compassionate, warm-hearted human beings, trying to make our world a more equal place. That way we'll actually make it a happy year. Dalai Lama
Harmony can not thrive in a climate of mistrust, cheating, bullying; mean-spirited competition. Dalai Lama
It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live. Dalai Lama
True spirituality is a mental attitude that you can practice at any time. Dalai Lama
The real destroyer of inner peace is fear and distrust. Fear develops frustration, frustration develops anger, anger develops violence. Dalai Lama
Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. Dalai Lama
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