Here are some of my favorite Dalai Lama wisdom words on man and self-knowledge.
Yes, we are talking about the controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner 14th Dalai Lama aka TenzinGyatso.
Man And Self Knowledge By Dalai Lama
I have read 14th Dalai Lama’s book “How To See Yourself As You Really Are“.
Personally, I find this book very enlightening and inspirational. It shows us about the power of self-knowledge which can help us to achieve happiness and a meaningful life.
Authentic His Holiness Dalai Lama XVI Quotes
Now, take your time to read through some of authentic Dalai Lama quotes on man and life:
“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”
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“It is essential to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible.”
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(You can also find this quote at: )
“We cannot learn real patience and tolerance from a guru or a friend. They can be practiced only when we come in contact with someone who creates unpleasant experiences.”
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“The root of happiness is altruism — the wish to be of service to others.”
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“A genuine, affectionate smile is very important in our day-to-day lives.”
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“I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance.”
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(You can also find this quote at: The 14th Dalai Lama – Acceptance Speech)
“Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion.”
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“In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.”
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(You can also find this quote at: Kindness, Clarity, and Insight by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, translated by Jeffrey Hopkins, edited by Jeffrey Hopkins, Elizabeth Napper, Shambhala Publications, 2013; p.12)
“It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives. If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is to desist from harming them.”
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“Buddhism does not accept a theory of God, or a creator. According to Buddhism, one’s own actions are the creator, ultimately.”
(You can also find this quote at: Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness edited by Sidney Piburn, Motilal Banarsidass Publications, 2002, The Nobel Evening Address; p.115)
“Our feeling of dissatisfaction, unhappiness, loss of hope and so forth are in fact related to all phenomena.”
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“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness…”
(You can also find this quote here)
“It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives.”
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“It is anger that is a sign of weakness, whereas patience is a sign of strength.”
(Path To Tranquility by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Penguin Books India, 1998, May 23; p.157)
“The practice of kindness and compassion is a powerful strategy to increase personal happiness.”
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(You can also find this quote here.)
“Each of us has the potential to contribute … You have a great opportunity to make a new shape of the world.”
(Dalai Lama urges students to shape world by Hal Bernton, The Seattle Times, May 15, 2001)
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
(You can also find this quote here)
“Compassion without attachment is possible.”
“From the moment of birth every human being wants happiness and freedom and wants to avoid suffering. Neither social conditioning, nor education, nor ideology affect this.”
“Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. This is not just a dream, but a necessity.”
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“Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility.”
“Desire for one’s basic necessities to be met is a positive kind of desire. It is justifiable. It is based on the fact that we all exist and have the right to survive.”
(You can also find this quote here.)
“Hard times build determination and inner strength.”
“Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend — or a meaningful day.”
(You can also find this quote at: Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness, edited by Sidney Piburn, Motilal Banarsidass Publictions, 2002, A Policy of Kindness; p.32)
* This quote is taken from an article titled “Tibet’s Living Buddha” written by Pico Iyrer/Dharmsala, published in TIME Magazine, April 11, 1988
“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”
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“There is a saying in Tibetan that “at the door of the miserable rich man sleeps the contented beggar”. The point of this saying is not that poverty is a virtue, but that happiness does not come with wealth, but from setting limits to one’s desires, and living within those limits with satisfaction.”
(Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World by Dalai Lama, Random House, 2012; p.144)
“Compassion brings inner strength, and compassion also brings truth.”
“If you show other people anger and hatred, they will show you the same, and you will lose your own happiness.”
(You can also find this quote at:How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life by Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Extending Help; p.81)
“If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come.”
(You can also find this quote at: An Interview With the Dalai Lama by John F. Avedon, Dalai Lama XIV Bstan- d̊zin-ryga-mtsho, Littlebird Publications, 1980; p.26)
“With truth, you have nothing to hide, and you are not dependent on the opinions of others.”
“Whether we accept a religion or not is up to the individual, but as long as humanity inhabits this world, these deeper values (compassion and forgiveness) are crucial and must not be neglected.”
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“An open heart is an open mind. A change of heart is a change of mind.”
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(You can find this quote at: The Dalai Lama: Essential Writings Modern spiritual masters series by Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, Orbis Books, 2008; p.74)
“Ordinary love is biased and mixed with attachment. Like other afflicted emotions, attachment is based not on reality but on mental projection. It exaggerates reality.”
“Thus using force is not a sign of strength but rather a sign of weakness.”
“Today the reality is simple. In harming our enemy, we are harmed.”
(You can also find this quote here.)
“My true religion is Kindness.”
“True spirituality should have the result of making a person calmer, happier, more peaceful.”
(You can also find this quote here.)
Note: All the above quotes by Dalai Lama XVI are verified authentic.
I do not just cite the sources. I even linked all the quotes to their proper sources where you can actually see them.