1,545 Quotes by Dalai Lama

Self satisfaction alone cannot determine if a desire or action is positive or negative. The demarcation between a positive and a negative desire or action is not whether it gives you a immediate feeling of satisfaction, but whether it ultimately results in positive or negative consequences.

All good qualities must be sown and cultivated. We can’t expect to change overnight from an ordinary person into one with high realizations.

So our future is in our own hands. What greater free will do we need?

I am a firm believer in the importance of democracy, not only as the ultimate goal, but also as an essential part of the process.

We must recognize that all beings want the same thing we want. This is the way to achieve a true understanding, unfettered by artificial consideration.

I think when tragic things happen it is on surface. It is like the ocean. One the surface a waves and sometimes the wave is very serious and strong. But it comes and goes, comes and goes, and underneath, the ocean always remains calm. Tibetans have a saying: "If bad news comes to you listen here" (points to the right ear) "and let it our here" (points to the left ear).

The Tibetan people will need to determine who the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is.

Helping others is not limited to providing food, shelter, and so forth, but includes relieving the basic causes of suffering and providing the basic causes of happiness.

The basis of human rights is happy life. Everyone wants to lead a happy life for which we need to have a holistic approach.