Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama:     Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub) (1935 –   ) is the 14th Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader revered among the people of Tibet. He is the head of the government-in-exile based in Dharamshala, India. Tibetans traditionally believe him to be the reincarnation of his predecessors.

The Dalai Lama was born fifth of seven children to a farming family in the village of Taktser.  He was proclaimed the tulku or rebirth of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. On 17 November 1950, one month after Tibet was invaded by the People’s Republic of China, he was enthroned formally as Dalai Lama. At the age of fifteen, he became the region’s most important spiritual leader and political ruler.

A noted public speaker worldwide, the charismatic Dalai Lama is the first Dalai Lama to travel to the West, where he seeks to spread Buddhist teachings and to promote ethics and interfaith harmony. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Here is a selection of the Dalai Lama’s inspiring quotes:

“Be kind whenever possible. . . . It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama

“Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.” – Dalai Lama

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

“Happiness that depends mainly on physical pleasure is unstable; one day it’s there, the next day it may not be.” – Dalai Lama

“I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.” – Dalai Lama

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama

“Love & compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” – Dalai Lama

“Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.” – Dalai Lama

“Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” – Dalai Lama

“Sleep is the best meditation.” — Dalai Lama

“Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.” – Dalai Lama

“To be aware of a single shortcoming in oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in someone else.” – Dalai Lama

“We can never obtain peace in the world if we neglect the inner world and don’t make peace with ourselves.” – Dalai Lama

“Wisdom and inner peace must be created by yourself.” – Dalai Lama