In principle contentment should

The practical and realistic aim is compassion, a warm heart, serving others, helping others, respecting others, being less selfish.

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.

Compassion and loving kindness are the hallmarks of achievement and happiness.

The essence of Buddhism is if you can, help others. If not, then at least refrain from hurting others.

In the cycle of rebirths, which we call samsara, from time to time there occurs the phenomenon of reincarnation. First of all, let us make a distinction. The cycle of rebirths-samsara-is the very condition of all life. No existence escapes it, unless it gets to nirvana. This condition is painful, because it obliges us to live and live again, on levels that can be worse than those we have known.

We need to develop patience, but impatience can also be conducive for such activities as cleaning and walking. With a mind of impatience one can become a woman or man of action. However, for bigger problems, patience is crucial.

Of course, others may try to take advantage of you, and if your remaining detached only encourages unjust aggression, adopt a strong stand.

In this century we have made remarkable material progress, but basically we are the same as we were thousands of years ago. Our spiritual needs are still great.

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.

There is no point in indulging in dissension-creating discussions on differing ideologies. No positive result has accrued from attempting to convert all men of different temperaments and likings into one common ideology and mode of behavior.

If your mind is scattered, it is quite powerless. – Dalai Lama

The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes.

Our intention should not be spoiled by the 8 worldly preoccupations: gain/loss, pleasure/pain, praise/criticism, and fame/infamy.

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

Unlike an external enemy, the inner enemy cannot regroup and launch a comeback once it has been destroyed from within.

Smile if you want a smile from another face.

A good mind, a good heart, warm feelings, these are the most important things.

The ultimate way to solve human problems is with nonviolence.

Studying, reflecting, and meditating on the nature of reality is of great significance for the progress of a spiritual practitioner.

Meditation on death cuts off attraction toward transient and meaningless activities.

There is an Indian saying: if you are struck by a poisonous arrow, it is important first to pull it out. There is no time to ask who shot it, what sort of poison it is, and so on. First we must help; then, later we can talk about the causes of any tragedy.

Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease.

If we can satisfy people at a heart level, peace will ensue.

I believe that constant effort, tireless effort, pursuing clear goals with sincere effort is the only way.

If a tailor just holds the needle in his hand and goes on talking to a customer, the tailoring does not get finished. Besides, the needle might prick his finger. In short, meaningless gossip prevents us from doing any kind of work.

Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions. – Dalai Lama

Within oneself, within each single person, one finds many inconsistencies and contradictions.

Because we all share an identical need for love, it is possible to feel that anybody we meet is a brother or sister.

There are 3 types of joyous effort: armorlike joyous effort, joyous effort in gathering virtues, and joyous effort in working for others.

All the waters and rivers of different lands have their ultimate meeting point in the ocean. So too, the different viewpoints on society the variety of economic theories, and means to attainment benefit mankind itself. This can clearly be seen from the contemporary history of both the East and West.

We shouldn’t think that the self is something that is originally there and then eliminated in meditation. In fact, it is something that never existed in the first place.

Sometimes you may be truly wronged and it is right for you to express your grievance instead of letting it fester inside of you. But you should not express it with anger.

At daybreak if the weather is fine, I go into the garden. This time of day is very special to me.

To be successful in accomplishing the practice of the 6 perfections, cooperation with and kindness to fellow beings is extremely important. [6 perfections being generosity, ethical discipline, tolerance, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom]

Human potential is the same for all. We all have the power of thought—so what are you lacking?

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

Laughing in full abandonment is very good for your health. – Dalai Lama

The ignorance, arrogance, and obstinacy of certain individuals have been at the root of the tragedies of history.

Simplicity is extremely important for happiness.

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.

It seems to me that nowadays the spirit of harmony is increasing, that our desire to live together calmly is growing stronger and stronger.

We are not well equipped to be aggressive beings. Even the size of our mouth is very small. So I think the basic nature of human beings should be gentle.If the basic human nature was aggressive, we would have been born with animal claws and huge teeth.

I am not interested in the physical aspect of art. I simply meditate and train my mind.

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.

The foundation for the development of good relations with one another is altruism, compassion, and forgiveness.

Nearly all of us receive our first lessons in peaceful living from our mothers. – Dalai Lama

Aggression is an intimate part of ourselves. That is why we have to struggle.

Human beings are social animals who depend for their survival on others’ cooperation and assistance. So it is better not to have a companion at all than to have one who is very aggressive and harmful. You can never rely on such a person but always have to be suspicious and apprehensive about him or her.

Listening is like a torch that dispels the darkness of ignorance. If you are able to make your mental continuum wealthy thorough listening, no one can steal that wealth. It is supreme wealth.

Taking your own body and mind as the laboratory, engage in some thoroughgoing research on your own mental functionality. And examine the possibility of making some positive changes within yourself.

Ideas are the engine of progress.

The very purpose of our doctrine is to serve others. In order to do that you must remain in society and not isolate yourself from the rest.

Make efforts to consider as transitory all adverse circumstances and disturbances. Like ripples in a pool, they occur and soon disappear.

Whatever we say, let us speak clearly and to the point, in a voice that is calm and pleasant, unaffected by attachment or hatred.

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. – Dalai Lama

If you shift your focus from oneself to others, and think more about others’ well-being and welfare, it has an immediate liberating effect.

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

Even when we’re engaged in charity work, we should not regard ourselves in a very haughty way as great protectors benefitting the weak.

Good human qualities—honesty, sincerity, a good heart—cannot be bought with money or produced by machines, but only by the mind itself.

Teachings of the Buddha comprise 3 graded categories for disciplining the mind: shila (conduct), samadhi (meditation), and prajina (wisdom).

We can deny everything, except that we have the possibility of getting better. Simply reflect on that.

I am talking about another form of spiritual life, more detached and deeper, free from the obsession of a goal to be reached.

When a positive goal has been set, you should pursue it all the way to the end. Even if it’s not realized, at least there will be no regret.

We generate much pride. This is not good. Instead we should always remain humble.

Your enemy is your best friend.

A kind heart and compassion are the real sources of peace and happiness.

If objects and people evoke attachment in us, we do not understand the true nature of phenomena. We can only become detached by realizing the true nature of things.

Three qualities enable people to understand the teachings: objectivity, intelligence, and enthusiasm.

We cannot rely upon our perceptions; it is a fact that we misapprehend many situations.

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.

Indulgence in resentment and vengeance will only further increase miseries to oneself and others in this life and in lives to come.

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

Those who affirm that their God is the only God are doing something dangerous and pernicious because they are on the way to imposing their beliefs on others, by any means possible.

The trouble with desire is that it is a blind desire and can only give temporary satisfaction.

Dreams are an idea of the mind. There are no tangible objects beneath these sole appearances.