150 Dalai Lama Quotes on Peace, Happiness, and More

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite Dalai Lama quotes to encourage you to live a happy and fulfilled life.

The Dalai Lama is a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader who dedicates his life to serving humanity. The 14th person to hold the Dalai Lama title is Tenzin Gyatso, a refugee in India. Throughout his many talks, his main message has always been one of compassion, happiness, love, and peace.

So, are you interested in him? Learn and ponder his wise words on compassion, optimism, and humanity. Have fun and share the good vibes with others!

Begin here.

Best Dalai Lama Quotes

1. “We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.”

2. “Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.”

3. “Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.”

4. “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.”

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

6. “As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all beings.”

7. “Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways.”

8. “The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.”

9. “It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.”

10. “True change is within; leave the outside as it is.”

11. “Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.”

12. “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”

13. “To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.”

14. “Real change in the world will only come from a change of heart.”

15. “Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.”

Inspirational Quotes From Dalai Lama

16. “Never give up. No matter what is going on. Never give up.”

17. “Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.”

18. “Although you may not always be able to avoid difficult situations, you can modify the extent to which you can suffer by how you choose to respond to the situation.”

19. “The quality of what we do depends on our motivation, which is why we have to learn how to cultivate a compassionate mind.”

20. “We all have the power of thought—so what are you lacking? If you have willpower, then you can change anything.”

21. “As individuals, we can influence our own families. Our families can influence our communities and our communities can influence our nations.”

22. “Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.”

23. “When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.”

24. “The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your actions will be.”

25. “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.”

26. “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.”

Also read: Inspirational Quotes, Meaningful Quotes

Wise Dalai Lama Quotes on Happiness

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

28. “We begin from the recognition that all beings cherish happiness and do not want to suffer. It then becomes both morally wrong and pragmatically unwise to pursue only one’s own happiness oblivious to the feelings and aspirations of all others who surround us as members of the same human family. The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness.”

29. “Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.”

30. “Even when we have physical hardships, we can be very happy.”

31. “A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.”

32. “The inner peace of an alert and calm mind is the source of real happiness and good health.”

33. “Happiness doesn’t always come from a pursuit. Sometimes it comes when we least expect it.”

34. “I believe that happiness can be achieved through training the mind.”

35. “‘Happiness’ means mainly a sense of deep satisfaction. The object of life or our goal, then, is satisfaction.”

36. “It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.”

37. “True happiness comes from having a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved by cultivating altruism, love, and compassion, and by eliminating anger, selfishness, and greed.”

38. “From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.”

39. “We need to learn to want what we have, not to have what we want, in order to get stable and steady happiness.”

40. “The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy.”

41. “We seek happiness in external things without realizing that they don’t help when we have problems within. We need to focus instead on the joy that comes with peace of mind that allows us to remain happy whatever happens.”

Dalai Lama Quotes About Life That Will Open Your Eyes to Reality

42. “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others, and if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”

43. “Let us reflect what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the basis of that.”

44. “What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful.”

45. “There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide. No matter what people call you, you are just who you are. Keep to this truth. You must ask yourself how you want to live your life. We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone. No one can help us, not even the Buddha. So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?”

46. “The important thing is that men should have a purpose in life. It should be something useful, something good.”

47. “We all have to live together, so we might as well live together happily.”

48. “You may go to bed at night confronted by many problems in your life, but it’s hope that motivates you to get out of bed and carry on with your life the next morning.”

49. “I believe the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in that religion or this religion, we are all seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness.”

50. “Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.”

Short Dalai Lama Quotes to Change Your Worldview

51. “Once a year, go somewhere you’ve never been before.”

52. “Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.”

53. “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.”

54. “Let us try to recognize the precious nature of each day.”

55. “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

56. “The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.”

57. “Someone else’s action should not determine your response.”

58. “I defeat my enemies when I make them my friends.”

59. “Compassion is the radicalism of our time.”

60. “I believe the ultimate source of blessings is within us.”

61. “Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”

62. “In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.”

63. “Optimism leads to success; pessimism leads to defeat.”

64. “Anger is the ultimate destroyer of your own peace of mind.”

65. “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

Also read: Short Quotes

Dalai Lama Quotes That Spark Positive Thinking

66. “In order to carry out a positive action we must develop a positive vision.”

67. “Optimism doesn’t mean that you are blind to the reality of the situation. It means that you remain motivated to seek a solution to whatever problems arise.”

68. “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”

69. “Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.”

70. “I find hope in the darkest days, and focus on the brightest.”

Also read: Positive Quotes

Powerful Dalai Lama Quotes to Give You Knowledge About Inner Strength

71. “A heart full of love and compassion is the main source of inner strength, willpower, happiness, and mental tranquility.”

72. “Hard times build determination and inner strength. Through them, we can also come to appreciate the uselessness of anger. Instead of getting angry, nurture a deep caring and respect for troublemakers because by creating such trying circumstances they provide us with invaluable opportunities to practice tolerance and patience.”

73. “Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.”

74. “Don’t ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance, or my kindness for weakness. Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.”

75. “When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways—either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.”

76. “If we are to create a more peaceful world, made up of peaceful individuals, we need a greater concern for others—altruism. That gives inner strength.”

77. “Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength. No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful the experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.”

78. “When we are able to recognize and forgive ignorant actions of the past, we gain strength to constructively solve the problems of the present.”

79. “An attitude of kindness and compassion brings a sense of self-confidence, an inner strength that reduces fear.”

80. “When you care for others, you manifest an inner strength despite any difficulties you face.”

Motivational Dalai Lama Quotes About Showing Compassion

81. “Compassion is the wish for another being to be free from suffering; love is wanting them to have happiness.”

82. “Kindness and a good heart are the foundation for success in this life, progress on the spiritual path, and the fulfillment of our aspirations. Our need for them is not limited to any specific time, place, society, or culture.”

83. “I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives.”

84. “Compassion is of little value if it just remains an idea. It must motivate how we respond to others and be reflected in all our thoughts and actions.”

85. “Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.”

86. “Compassion is something really worthwhile. It is not just a religious or spiritual subject, not a matter of ideology. It is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”

87. “When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves or some immediate convenience.”

88. “True compassion isn’t just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason. Therefore, our compassion for others doesn’t change even if they behave negatively. Our sense of responsibility for others gives rise to a wish to help them actively overcome their problems.”

89. “You must not hate those who do wrong or harmful things; but with compassion, you must do what you can to stop them—for they are harming themselves, as well as those who suffer from their actions.”

90. “Compassion naturally creates a positive atmosphere, and as a result, you feel peaceful and content.”

91. “The challenge today is to convince people of the value of truth, honesty, compassion and a concern for others.”

Dalai Lama Quotes to Give You Insight Into Humanity

92. “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

93. “Scientists have a special responsibility, a moral responsibility, in ensuring that science serves the interests of humanity in the best possible way.”

94. “Each of us must learn to work not just for oneself, one’s own family or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace.”

95. “The creatures that inhabit this earth—be they human beings or animals—are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world.”

96. “Individual happiness can contribute in a profound and effective way to the overall improvement of our entire human community.”

97. “I pray for all of us, oppressor and friend, that together we succeed in building a better world through human understanding and love, and that in doing so we may reduce the pain and suffering of all sentient beings.”

98. “Because of a lack of moral principle, human life becomes worthless. The moral principle, truthfulness, is a key factor. If we lose that, then there is no future.”

99. “We must recognize that the suffering of one person or one nation is the suffering of humanity.”

100. “We all want to live a happy life, so we have to learn to live together in trust and mutual respect. We do have differences of race, nationality, religious faith, and so on, but these differences are secondary in comparison to our equality in being human.”

101. “Ultimately, humanity is one and this small planet is our only home. If we are to protect this home of ours, each of us needs to experience a vivid sense of universal altruism.”

102. “Appreciation of humanity, compassion, and love are key points. If we develop a good heart, whether our field is science, agriculture, or politics, since motivation is so crucial, they’ll all improve.”

103. “We need to learn how to keep our natural compassion alive and how to extend and develop it so it can encompass the whole of humanity.”

104. “When the heart is closed it leads to fear, stress, and anger. Nurturing the idea of the oneness of humanity has the effect of opening the heart.”

105. “I think technology has really increased human ability. But technology cannot produce compassion.”

106. “If we were really to see one another as brothers and sisters, there would be no basis for division, cheating, and exploitation among us. Therefore it’s important to promote the idea of the oneness of humanity, that in being human we are all the same.”

Dalai Lama Quotes on Peace

107. “World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just the mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”

108. “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”

109. “When our community is in a state of peace, it can share that peace with neighboring communities, and so on.”

110. “In order to lead a meaningful life, you need to cherish others, pay attention to human values and try to cultivate inner peace.”

111. “Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility—without this inner peace, no matter how comfortable your life is materially, you may still be worried, disturbed, or unhappy because of circumstances.”

112. “When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us.”

113. “On the other hand, if you control your anger and show its opposite—love, compassion, tolerance, and patience—not only will you remain peaceful, but the other person’s anger will also diminish.”

114. “If we ourselves remain angry and then sing about world peace, it has little meaning. First, our individual self must learn peace. This we can practice. Then we can teach the rest of the world.”

115. “Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.”

116. “Creating a more peaceful world requires a peaceful mind and a peaceful heart. As human brothers and sisters, we must live together in tolerance and affection.”

Dalai Lama Quotes That Show His Views on Religion

117. “We can’t say that all religions are the same, different religions have different views and fundamental differences. But it does not matter, as all religions are meant to help in bringing about a better world with better and happier human beings.”

118. “I am a man of religion, but religion alone cannot answer all our problems.”

119. “If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it.”

120. “This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.”

121. “The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness.”

122. “The purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.”

123. “The first of my personal commitments is to work to increase human happiness by encouraging the cultivation of inner values and a sense of concern for others’ well-being. These are the key factors whether one is a religious person or not.”

124. “Love and compassion are the true religions to me. But to develop this, we do not need to believe in any religion.”

125. “Irrespective of whether we are believers or agnostics, whether we believe in God or karma, moral ethics is a code which everyone is able to pursue.”

126. “The basis of moral principles is to have a real concern for the well-being of others and an appreciation of the oneness of humanity. Whether science or religion is constructive or destructive depends on our motivation and whether we are guided by moral principles.”

Also read: God Quotes

Great Dalai Lama Quotes That Zoom in on Love and Fulfillment

127. “Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease.”

128. “People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.”

129. “Love is the absence of judgment.”

130. “The remedy is to look deeper and recognize that we human beings are physically, mentally, and emotionally the same.”

131. “Most people prefer a smile to a frown. It’s human nature. Even dogs respond with wagging tails to a smile and other shows of affection.”

132. “The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.”

Dalai Lama Quotes to Broaden Your Perspectives

133. “In order to become prosperous, a person must initially work very hard, so he or she has to sacrifice a lot of leisure time.”

134. “As long as we observe love for others and respect for their rights and dignity in our daily lives, then whether we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe in the Buddha or God, follow some religion or none at all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility, there is no doubt we will be happy.”

135. “Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates a significant impression by remaining silent.”

136. “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.”

137. “To remain indifferent to the challenges we face is indefensible. If the goal is noble, whether or not it is realized within our lifetime is largely irrelevant. What we must do therefore is to strive and persevere and never give up.”

138. “A genuine, affectionate smile is very important in our day-to-day lives.”

139. “When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.”

140. “I will not propose to you that my way is best. The decision is up to you. If you find some point which may be suitable to you, then you can carry out experiments for yourself. If you find that it is of no use, then you can discard it.”

141. “You have to start giving first and expect absolutely nothing.”

142. “Instead of trying to resolve our differences by force, we must talk and enter into dialogue. This is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom—a realistic approach.”

More Dalai Lama Quotes You’ll Learn From

143. “As people alive today, we must consider future generations: a clean environment is a human right like any other.”

144. “We are the controller of technology. If we become slaves to technology, then that’s not good.”

145. “Through violence, you may ‘solve’ one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.”

146. “Thinking of ourselves as somehow special isolates us.”

147. “Our ancient experience confirms at every point that everything is linked together, everything is inseparable.”

148. “It’s good to remember that other human beings are like us. We are born the same way; we die the same way. While we’re alive it’s better to be able to trust each other as friends.”

149. “Anger or hatred is like a fisherman’s hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.”

150. “Too much self-centered attitude, you see, brings, you see, isolation. Result: loneliness, fear, anger. The extreme self-centered attitude is the source of suffering.”

What Did the Dalai Lama Teach You About Peace, Happiness, and Religion?

The Dalai Lama dedicates his life to humanitarianism and bringing compassion and peace to the world. Though there are many religions in the world, his words speak so much truth that people of all faiths listen and look up to his wise teachings.

Aside from religious topics, he also speaks out about social issues such as women’s rights, sexuality, and the environment. To him, living a meaningful life entails discovering happiness and inner peace that we can share with others.

We hope that our collection was able to inspire you to spread joy and compassion throughout the world. Let these quotes push you to be more compassionate and patient when dealing with different challenges in life.

Did we leave out any good Dalai Lama quotes? Which of his quotes struck you the most? Please, leave a comment down below.

Read Next:

Karen Danao

Hi, I’m Karen, a content curator and writer for Quote Ambition; I’m also a marketing and advertising professional. Beyond the keyboard and the screen, I’m someone who’s out to enjoy every bit that life has to offer!

Poetry, philosophy, history, and movies are all topics I love writing about! However, my true passion is in traveling, photography, and finding common ground to which everyone from different cultures can relate.

With the many places I’ve been to, I found that love, inspiration, and happiness are some things that bring people together. No matter how different we are on the outside, I’m a true believer that our emotions don’t lie; if you dig deep into our psyche, we’re all the same inside.

This belief was further amplified when I joined Quote Ambition. Through the quotes I’ve read, collected, organized, and written about, I found that humans are resilient, creative, and compassionate.

We take from each others’ hearts and courage, and it’s through our individual experiences that we learn how to rise above our challenges and pain. In so many ways, Quote Ambition is a platform that allows people from all over the world to gain the inspiration they need anytime, anywhere!

You can find me on MuckRack and LinkedIn.