50+ Inspirational The Dalai Lama Quotes on Buddhism and Spirituality That Will Make Your Spirit Soar
Last updated on March 14th, 2024 at 02:02 pm
As the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and believed to be the reincarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, the Dalai Lama’s life mission is dedicated to guiding all beings towards enlightenment. Through his teachings and actions, he continues to inspire countless individuals to live with kindness, empathy and a commitment to positive change.
With his wisdom as a guiding light, these Dalai Lama quotes encourage us to intertwine spirituality, religion and harmony leading us towards a life of compassion and understanding for all beings.
His Holiness The Dalai Lama Sayings on Spirituality
A spoon cannot taste of the food it carries. Likewise, a foolish man cannot understand the wise man´s wisdom even if he associates with a sage. – Dalai Lama
As an old Tibetan proverb puts it – The next life or tomorrow – we can never be certain which will come first. – Dalai Lama
As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all Beings. – Dalai Lama
Death means change our clothes. Clothes become old, then time to come change. So this body become old, and then time come, take young body. – Dalai Lama
If every eight-year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation. – Dalai Lama
Instead of wondering WHY this is happening to you, consider why this is happening to YOU. – Dalai Lama
It is important to consider others at least as important as ourselves This is the essence of spirituality. – Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered Man! Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived. – Dalai Lama
The purpose of religion is to control yourself, not to criticise others. – Dalai Lama
Do not try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are. – Dalai Lama
Open-minded people tend to be interested in Buddhism because Buddha urged people to investigate things – he didn’t just command them to believe. – Dalai Lama
Action is more important than meditation. – Dalai Lama
As long as I am alive, I am fully committed to amity between Tibetans and Chinese. Otherwise there’s no use. – Dalai Lama
Because we all share an identical need for love, it is possible to feel that anybody we meet, in whatever circumstances, is a brother or sister. – Dalai Lama
But for all its benefits in offering moral guidance and meaning in life, in today’s secular world religion alone is no longer adequate as a basis for ethics. – Dalai Lama
Conversion is not my intention. Changing religion is not easy. You may develop some kind of confusion or difficulties. – Dalai Lama
Despite all philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. – Dalai Lama
Every human being has the same potential. Whatever makes you feel I am worthless is wrong. Absolutely wrong. You are deceiving yourself. We all have the power of thought, so what could you possibly be lacking? If you have the willpower, then you can do anything. – Dalai Lama
I always say that people should not rush to change religions. There is real value in finding the spiritual resources you need in your home religion. – Dalai Lama
I always tell my Western friends that it is best to keep your own tradition. Changing religion is not easy and sometimes causes confusion. You must value your tradition and honor your own religion. – Dalai Lama
I believe the most important thing for humankind is its own creativity. I further believe that, in order to be able to exercise this creativity, people need to be free. – Dalai Lama
I believe the ultimate source of blessings is within us. – Dalai Lama
I do not agree that ethics requires grounding in religious concepts or faith. Instead, I firmly believe that ethics can also emerge simply as a natural and rational response to our very humanity and our common human condition.. – Dalai Lama
If as spiritual practitioners we ignore the discoveries of science, our practice is also impoverished, as this mind-set can lead to fundamentalism. – Dalai Lama
If some people have the belief or view that the Dalai Lama has some miracle power, that’s totally nonsense I am just one human being. – Dalai Lama
If we analyze or dissect a flower, looking for the flower among its parts, we shall not find it. And yet, we cannot deny the existence of flowers and of their sweet scent. – Dalai Lama
If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it. – Dalai Lama
In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess. – Dalai Lama
Irrespective of whether we are believers or agnostics, whether we believe in God or karma, moral ethics is a code which everyone is able to pursue. – Dalai Lama
It is necessary to help others not in our prayers but in our daily lives. – Dalai Lama
It’s good to remember that other human beings are like us. We are born the same way; we die the same way. While we’re alive it’s better to be able to trust each other as friends. – Dalai Lama
My faith helps me overcome such negative emotions and find my equilibrium. – Dalai Lama
My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. – Dalai Lama
Our ancient experience confirms at every point that everything is linked together, everything is inseparable. – Dalai Lama
Our visit to this planet is short, so we should use our time meaningfully, which we can do by helping others wherever possible. – Dalai Lama
Sleep is the best meditation. – Dalai Lama
So what is true physically is, in a wonderful way, true spiritually as well. Deep down we grow in kindness when our kindness is tested. – Dalai Lama
The practice of cultivating altruism has a beneficial effect not only from the religious point of view but also from the mundane point of view, not only for long term spiritual development but even in terms of immediate rewards. – Dalai Lama
There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness. – Dalai Lama
True change is within; leave the outside as it is. – Dalai Lama
True spirituality is a mental attitude you can practice at any time. – Dalai Lama
We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection. – Dalai Lama
What is more, I have come to the conclusion that whether or not a person is a religious believer does not matter much. Far more important is that they be a good human being. – Dalai Lama
When selflessness is seen in objects, the seed of cyclic existence is destroyed. – Dalai Lama
Inspirational The Dalai Lama Quotes About Buddhism
According to Buddhist psychology, most of our troubles stem from attachment to things that we mistakenly see as permanent. – Dalai Lama
Buddhism and science share a fundamental reluctance to postulate a transcendent being as the origin of all things. – Dalai Lama
I describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk. No more, no less. – Dalai Lama
I do not think about converting others to Buddhism or merely furthering the Buddhist cause. Instead, I try to think of how I as a Buddhist can contribute to the happiness of all living beings. – Dalai Lama
I have done one thing that I think is a contribution: I helped Buddhist science and modern science combine. No other Buddhist has done that. Other lamas, I don’t think they ever pay attention to modern science. Since my childhood, I have a keen interest. – Dalai Lama
In one sense a supposed enemy is more valuable than a friend, for an enemy teaches you things, such as forbearance, that a friend generally does not. – Dalai Lama
If scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims. – Dalai Lama
If there’s good, strong evidence from science that such and such is the case and this is contrary to Buddhism, then we will change. – Dalai Lama
Much of traditional Buddhist practice is directed toward the ability to see life accurately, beyond all the expectations, projections, and distortions that we typically bring to it. – Dalai Lama
The basic Buddhist stand on the question of equality between the genders is age-old. At the highest tantric levels, at the highest esoteric level, you must respect women: every woman. – Dalai Lama
The foundation of the Buddha’s teachings lies in compassion, and the reason for practicing the teachings is to wipe out the persistence of ego, the number-one enemy of compassion. – Dalai Lama
There are techniques of Buddhism, such as meditation, that anyone can adopt. And, of course, there are Christian monks and nuns who already use Buddhist methods in order to develop their devotion, compassion, and ability to forgive. – Dalai Lama
We must conduct research and then accept the results. If they don’t stand up to experimentation, Buddha’s own words must be rejected. – Dalai Lama
When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways – either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength. Thanks to the teachings of Buddha, I have been able to take this second way. – Dalai Lama
Whether you believe in God or not does not matter much, whether you believe in Buddha or not does not matter so much; as a Buddhist, whether you believe in reincarnation or not does not matter so much. You must lead a good life. – Dalai Lama
Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that’s important. Self-discipline with awareness of consequences. – Dalai Lama
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