Quotes from the Dalai Lama that inspire us to live with empathy, courage, and commitment.
The Dalai Lama , a Tibetan spiritual leader banned by China but celebrated by numerous international leaders, has written extensively about life lessons.
He is the author of dozens of books ranging from Buddhist philosophy , meditation and environmental policy to the importance of love and sympathy.
AFP offers an overview of the Dalai Lama's thinking based on his writings.
On hope"We must never lose hope, and we must maintain it if we are to find success in the face of the trials we face. With hope, we have the courage to care and the courage to act."
"As the saying goes: if you fail nine times, you have to get up nine times. Always remember that a bright sun is hidden behind the cloud."
"If a situation is such that nothing can be done about it, there's no need to fear. If there's no solution, there's no point in worrying. There's no benefit in worrying."
Life"What matters most is what we do with our short lives. If we live separated from our shared humanity, entangled in discord and division and causing harm, what a waste of our precious life!"
"I think the true goal of our lives is to seek happiness . That's clear."
"As social beings, we seek connection with other beings and find happiness through them. There is no independent self-interest separate from that of others, for our well-being is interconnected with the well-being of others."
" Compassion and concern for others are the keys to human survival. They are the most important thing for anyone, whether a believer or not, who wishes to live a happy life."
About politics"If we recognize our shared humanity, remembering that the well-being of one depends on the well-being of all, I truly believe we can find a peaceful solution to even the most difficult conflicts."
"One of the best-known lessons of history is this: if you keep people unhappy all the time, you cannot have a stable society."
"Nations and countries belong to their people, not to their governments. However durable and powerful governments may seem at any given time, governments come and go, but the people will always remain."
"We must rise up against injustice. Nonviolence does not preclude taking a firm stand and expressing our opposition forcefully."
About China"The Tibetan people do not accept Tibet's current status under the People's Republic of China. At the same time, they do not seek independence."
"As far as Tibetans on the ground are concerned, the Chinese communists' rule in Tibet remains an unwanted and oppressive foreign occupying power."
"The Tibet problem can only be solved by the Tibetan people and the Chinese people sitting face to face and talking."
"The current dark period of Chinese communist occupation seems endless, but in our long history it is only a brief nightmare. As our Buddhist faith teaches us, nothing is immune to the law of impermanence ."
About his successor"It is completely inappropriate for Chinese communists, who explicitly reject religion—including the idea of past and future lives—to interfere with the system of reincarnation."
"Whether or not the institution of the Dalai Lama can continue is a matter for the Tibetan people. If the Tibetan people feel that the institution has fulfilled its purpose and there is no longer a need for a Dalai Lama, then the institution will cease."
"The new Dalai Lama will be born into the free world to continue his traditional mission: to be the voice of universal compassion , the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and the symbol of Tibet that embodies the aspirations of the Tibetan people."
Which of these Dalai Lama quotes do you identify with most?
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