Dalai Lama Quotes – 45 Inspirational Wisdom and Sayings From the Spiritual Leader of Tibet

Looking for inspirational Dalai Lama quotes? Then you've come to the right place! Dalai Lama is the title of the secular and spiritual leader of the Tibetans. Tenzin Gyatso, the current Dalai Lama, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his efforts in the Tibet conflict. This is another reason why he is revered by millions of people around the world today.

Here I would like to share his most valuable wisdom and sayings with you as a constant source of inspiration.

My please: Keep in mind that many of the Dalai Lama's quotes have been translated. I cannot guarantee that it is the original quote in each case. Therefore, double check them and feel free to leave a corrective comment. If you like and share any of the quotes in the internet, please link this elaborately created collection. Thank you for your support!

45 Dalai Lama Quotes And Wisdom

Incidentally, the word "Lama" means something like Master or teacher. It was also the current Dalai Lama who made Buddhism known in our western world. Let yourself be inspired by his following sayings.

Dalai Lama Quotes 1 - 10

1. "Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength."
2. "Our common Mother Nature is showing her children more and more clearly that she has run out of patience."
3. "The world doesn’t belong to leaders. The world belongs to all humanity."
4. "Change only takes place through action, not through meditation and prayer."
5. "World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion."
6. "Ultimately humanity is one, and this small planet is our only home. If we're to protect this home of ours, each of us needs to experience a vivid sense of universal altruism and compassion."
7. "Spend some time alone every day."
8. "One interesting thing about greed is that although the underlying motive is to seek satisfaction, the irony is that even after obtaining the object of your desire you are still not satisfied. The true antidote of greed is contentment."
9. "Without an enemy you cannot practice tolerance, and without tolerance you cannot build a sound basis of compassion."
10. "The life of all living beings, be they human, animal or other, is precious, and all have the same right to be happy. Everything that inhabits our planet, the birds and the wild animals are our companions. They are part of our world, we share it with them."

Tip: At Animal welfare quotes I have put together an additional collection of effective sayings for you.

Dalai Lama Quotes 11 - 20

11. "A simple smile. That's the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others."
12. "If we wish to ensure everyone's peace and happiness, we need to cultivate a healthy respect for the diversity of our peoples and cultures, founded on an understanding of this fundamental sameness of all human beings."
13. "It is difficult to achieve a spirit of genuine cooperation as long as people remain indifferent to the feelings and happiness of others."
14. "The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be."
15. "Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives."
16. "Anger, jealousy, impatience, and hatred are the real troublemakers, with them problems cannot be solved."
17. "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
18. "Once a year go some place you've never been before." 
19. "Sleep is the best meditation."
20. "There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live."

Dalai Lama Quotes 21 - 30

21. "Follow the three R's: – Respect for self. – Respect for others. – Responsibility for all your actions."
22. "If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven't spent the night with a mosquito."
23. "Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."
24. "Give those you love wings to fly away, roots to return and reasons to stay."
25. "I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can."
26. "Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."
27. "Smile if you want a smile from another face."
28. "Intelligence combined with compassion is basis of global responsibility."
29. "In anger, man loses his intelligence.
30. "Open your arms to change but don't let go of your values."

Dalai Lama Quotes 31 - 40

31. "Follow the three R's: – Respect for self. – Respect for others. – Responsibility for all your actions."
32. "War is neither glamorous nor attractive. It is monstrous. Its very nature is one of tragedy and suffering."
33. "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive."
34. "Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace."
35. "When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
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36. "Karma means action. So things change through action not by prayer… not by wish."
37. "The key to human happiness lies within our own state of mind, and so too do the primary obstacles to that happiness."
38. "My faith helps me overcome such negative emotions and find my equilibrium."
39. "Because of lack of moral principle, human life becomes worthless. Moral principle, truthfulness, is a key factor. If we lose that, then there is no future."
40. "If we unbalance nature, humankind will suffer. Furthermore, as people alive today, we must consider future generations: a clean environment is a human right like any other."

Dalai Lama Quotes 40 - 45

41. "The best way to resolve any problem in the human world is for all sides to sit down and talk."
42. "Knowing and doing nothing is like not knowing."
43. "Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality."
44. "Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and look back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time."
45. "The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds."

Can you think of any other sayings of the Dalai Lama? Feel free to write your suggestions in the comments so that I can add them to this collection.

Frequently asked questions about the Dalai Lama

Considering the wisdom of the Dalai Lama as a constant source of inspiration

The Dalai Lama embodies human values such as joy, determination, love and compassion and fights against capitalism, tyranny and nuclear weapons and for the protection of our planet and animals. I hope I have been able to inspire you with his quotes.

Finally, I would like to further articles which correspond to the values of the Dalai Lama and should promote your personal development:

• Become more determined - Tips & Tricks
• Mindfulness - How mindful living works
• Animal welfare in everyday life - What everyone can do
• Sustainable living - 50 tips for a green everyday life

Do you have questions or more Dalai Lama quotes on the tip of your tongue? Then just write me a short comment.

Stay inspired,

PS.: The Quotes blog is full of rousing sayings. Take a look at the most important ones, for example Wisdoms of Nelson Mandela.