If one analyzes carefully

Inner darkness, which we call ignorance, is the root of suffering. The more inner light that comes, the more darkness will diminish.

We are all here on this planet as tourists. None of us can live here forever. So while we are here we should try to have a good heart and to make something positive and useful of our lives.

It is said in our scriptures that we are to cultivate love just like that of a mother toward her only child.

Even if the Chinese leave nothing but ashes, Tibet will rise from these ashes as a free country even if it takes a long time to do so.

One’s pain is one’s own creation. One should treat such things as if they are wind behind one’s ear. In other words, just brush them aside. To a large extent, whether or not one suffers pain depends on how one responds to a given situation.

Guilt, as experienced in Western culture, is connected with hopelessness and discouragement and is past-oriented.

When you lack the inner dimension for that spiritual experience you are aspiring to, then rituals become formalities, external rations. In that case, clearly, they lose their meaning and become unnecessary customs — just a good excuse for passing time. When through rituals and formalities you create the spiritual space you’re seeking, the process will have a powerful effect on your experience.

A genuine smile gives us hope, freshness. If we want a genuine smile, first we must produce the basis for a smile to come.

The 3 physical non-virtues are killing, stealing, and moral misconduct.

From the very core of our being we desire contentment. For harmony each individual’s identity must be fully respected.

Cultivating wisdom helps us to avoid these pitfalls. But it is hard to generalize because each person’s courage and forbearance are unique.

Even though a bird can fly, it must land on earth.

Mother planet is showing us the red warning light. Be careful, she is saying. To take care of the planet is to take care of our own house.

Even if it takes a long time to do so. No imperialist power has succeeded in keeping other people in colonial subjection for long.

Many people think that to be patient in bearing loss is a sign of weakness. I think this is a mistake.

Past and future exist in relation to the present, but if the present cannot be positioned, how can past and future be positioned? This is a demonstration of dependent origination.

I have found, as every teacher does, that there is nothing like teaching to help one learn.

I believe that the search for Truth will continue and will grow even keener as we make greater material progress.

As a spiritual trainee, you must be prepared to endure the hardships involved in a genuine spiritual pursuit.

When we are committed to honesty, we help reduce the level of misunderstanding, doubt, and fear throughout society. – Dalai Lama

If you are mindful of death, it will not come as a surprise—you will not be anxious.

Tibetans have a saying: ‘If bad news comes, you listen here [right ear] and let it out here [left ear].’

One thing can’t be doubted, the “possibility of a quality” is within us. It is called prajna.

When we encounter human suffering, it is important to respond with compassion rather than to question the politics of those we help.

Although space seems empty, once you develop the energies, you can control it. When that happens, you can look right through solid things and walk in empty space as if it were solid.

Each one discovers the true nature of the other. That is why there are so many broken marriages, quarrels, lawsuits, and so much hatred.

In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel ‘burnout’ setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.

When one meditates on mindfulness of the body, reflecting upon the manner in which the body comes into being then one will also see the impurities of the body.

Anger is the ultimate troublemaker. I feel you can express a strong disapproval or dislike of an object without losing your temper.

True practitioners are unaffected by external pressures and their own emotions. They are free to secure the temporary and ultimate benefit of both themselves and others.

Not finding something does not mean that it does not exist. It only proves that the experiment was incapable of finding it. It is important to keep in mind the limitations imposed by nature itself.

The natural environment sustains the life of all beings universally.

Because violence can only breed more violence and suffering, our struggle must be nonviolent and free of hatred.

You cannot stop death with your wealth, through your magic performances or recitation of mantras, or even your medicines. Therefore, it is wise to prepare for your death.

Guilt is incompatible with our thinking as you are part of an action but not fully responsible for it.

Adopting a kind attitude becomes a personal matter. How each of us behaves in daily life is, after all, the real test of compassion.

To our naive, natural mind, everything appears as if it has an independent, solid, objective entity or objective status. However, what is very clear is that when we begin to search, they disintegrate and disappear, and they are unfindable.

Obviously we can lose hope, let ourselves slip into discouragement, into alcohol, drugs, and unending sadness. Or else we can wake ourselves up, discover in ourselves an energy that was hidden there, and act with more clarity, more force.

If the love within your mind is lost, if you continue to see others as enemies, then no matter how knowledge or education you have, no matter how much material progress is made, only suffering and confusion will ensue.

Feelings of anger, bitterness, and hate are negative. If I kept them inside me they would spoil my body and health. They are of no use.

Large human movements spring from individual initiatives. Thus it is the individual working for the common welfare who makes the difference.

On its own, no amount of tech. development can lead to lasting happiness. What is almost always missing is a corresponding inner dev.

The countless stars and constellations that we see today were gradually formed and discovered.

Wherever we go, let us be humble and avoid being noisy or bossy. Let us not hurt other people’s feelings or cause them to act negatively.

One can be deceived by 3 types of laziness: indolence, inferiority, and the laziness that is attached to negative actions. Ideally, one should have a great deal of courage and strength, but not boast or make a big show of it. Then, in times of need, one should rise to the occasion and fight bravely for what is right.

In a family where there is love and compassion, the children will become happier and more successful human beings. Without love there is a danger of spoiling or ruining their whole life. Human affection is thus most influential for children’s development.

I would like, on behalf of the Tibetans in and outside Tibet, to sincerely thank our supporters and friends.

Negative actions have the potential to increase, whereas positive actions can be destroyed by many adverse circumstances.

A compassionate attitude opens our inner door, and as a result it is much easier to communicate with others. – Dalai Lama

I don’t have any experience in applying Western psychotherapy to the Buddhist path.

If we consider material progress, we see that research started by one person can always be continued by another. But this is not possible with spiritual progress.

The practice of morality, which means guarding your 3 doors of body, speech and mind from indulging in unwholesome activities, equips you with mindfulness and conscientiousness. Therefore, morality is the foundation of the Buddhist path.

From the least to the most important event, the affection and respect of others are vital to our happiness.

If one harbors hateful thoughts, it ruins one’s health.

The shared aspiration of gaining happiness and avoiding suffering, as well as the basic right to bring these about, are of prime importance.

Being patient might not be easy. It requires considerable concentration. But the result we achieve by enduring difficulties will be sublime.

Buddha never mentioned that the problems we encounter are the result of misconstruction of a house or working on an inappropriate day.

Cultivating inner discipline is a time consuming process. Having expectations of immediate results is a sign of impatience.

At the highest tantric levels, at the esoteric level, you must respect women, every woman.

Hostile attitudes only serve to heat up the situation, whereas a true sense of respect gradually cools down what could become explosive.

If one analyzes carefully, one finds that troublemakers are definitely not happy.

If you are showing love to your fellow human beings, you are showing love to your God.

It is better to behave well and take responsibility for one’s actions, and lead a positive life.

Kindness is the key to peace and happiness in family life.

The very purpose of meditation is to discipline the mind and reduce afflictive emotions.

Ignorance, arrogance, and obstinacy of certain individuals, with good or evil intensions, have been at the root of all tragedies in history.

The unique Tibetan culture produces human beings with more smiles on their faces.

The earth is, to a certain extent, our mother. She is so kind, because whatever we do, she tolerates it.

Without feelings we cannot have demarcation between justice and injustice, truth and untruth, good or bad.

No matter who we are with, we often think “I am stronger than he,” “I am more beautiful than she,” “I am more intelligent” and so forth.

Until we grow and become stronger and increasingly able to serve others, we may get overwhelmed by their suffering and difficulties.

It does not make his present suffering any worse and even if it did, how sad it would be that we should wish such a thing.

If you help others with sincere motivation and concern, that will bring you more fortune, friends, smiles, and success.

It is important to express one’s suffering, not so much the hostility, but rather the suffering.

It is most unlikely that we shall actually be able to take on the sufferings of others and give them our happiness. When such transference between beings does occur it is the result of some very strong unbroken karmic connection from the past.