In My Own Words Quotes

“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. No matter how new the face or how different the dress and behavior, there is no significant division between us and other people. It is foolish to dwell on external differences, because our basic natures are the same.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, Tenzin Gyatso, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“We must use all opportunities to practice the truth, to improve ourselves, instead of waiting for a time when we think we will be less busy. The activities of this world are like ripples in a pond: When one disappears, another emerges; there is no end to them.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affects this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. I don’t know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars, and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but—at the very least—it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“Whether people are beautiful and friendly or unattractive and disruptive, ultimately they are human beings, just like oneself. Like oneself, they want happiness and do not want suffering. Furthermore, their right to overcome suffering and be happy is equal to one’s own.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“The consequences of karma are definite: Negative actions always bring about suffering, and positive actions always bring happiness. If you do good, you will have happiness; if you do bad, you yourself suffer.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“Compassion is by nature gentle, peaceful, and soft, but it is very powerful. It is those who easily lose their patience who are insecure and unstable. Thus, to me, the arousal of anger is a direct sign of weakness.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“Motivated by compassion for all sentient beings, Buddha Shakyamuni observed all these problems, and he reflected on the nature of his own existence. He found that all human beings undergo suffering, and he saw that we experience this unhappiness because of our undisciplined state of mind.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“If we get used to putting up with minor hurts, we will gradually develop tolerance for greater pain.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“If you accumulate virtuous actions properly— such as avoiding killing, freeing animals, and cultivating patience toward others—it will be beneficial in the future and in the lives to come; whereas if you indulge in negative actions continuously, you definitely will face the consequences in the future. If you do not believe in the principle of karma, then you can do as you like.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

“Positive and negative actions are determined by one’s own motivation. If the motivation is good, all actions become positive; if the motivation is wrong, all actions become negative.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy