Summary: Inspirational and uplifitng Dalai Lama quotes!

We may think that we possess a level of compassion, but do we really live a life that is in line with who we think we are, or wish to be? The fact is that if we take a hard look at ourselves, we would realize that while we have the best of intentions, our actions and thoughts do not match each other.

However, with a little thought and guidance, we can learn to live a more authentic life where we are more compassionate not only towards others, but towards ourselves as well.

Here are some thoughts from those who have learned to strike that balance, and who can hopefully inspire you to find yours.

Inspirational Dalai Lama Quotes on Life and Compassion

1. “I truly believe that compassion provides the basis of human survival.”- Dalai Lama

2. “A good motivation is what is needed: compassion without dogmatism, without complicated philosophy; just understanding that others are human brothers and sisters and respecting their human rights and dignities. That we humans can help each other is one of our unique human capacities.” – Dalai Lama

3. “For those who may not find happiness to exercise religious faith, it’s okay to remain a radical atheist, it’s absolutely an individual right, but the important thing is with a compassionate heart — then no problem.” – Dalai Lama

4. “It is lack of love for ourselves that inhibits our compassion toward others. If we make friends with ourselves, then there is no obstacle to opening our hearts and minds to others.” – Dalai Lama

5. “Each of us in our own way can try to spread compassion into people’s hearts. Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the human ‘brain’ with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the human ‘heart’ with compassion. This is what the real role of religion is.” – Dalai Lama

6. “I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives. I’m not talking about the short-term gratification of pleasures like sex, drugs or gambling (though I’m not knocking them), but something that will bring true and lasting happiness. The kind that sticks.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

7. “The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

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

9. “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ― Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness

10. “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.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

11. “Love and Compassion are the true religions to me. But to develop this, we do not need to believe in any religion.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

12. “When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves or some immediate convenience. When we are able to recognize and forgive ignorant actions of the past, we gain strength to constructively solve the problems of the present.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

13. “We can reject everything else: religion, ideology, all received

wisdom. But we cannot escape the necessity of love and compassion….

This, then, is my true religion, my simple faith. In this sense, there is no need

temple or church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated

philosophy, doctrine or dogma. Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple.

The doctrine is compassion. Love for others and respect for their rights and

dignity, no matter who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need.

So long as we practice these in our daily lives, then no matter if we are

learned or unlearned, whether we believe in Buddha or God, or follow some

other 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.” – Dalai Lama

More Inspirational Quotes By The Dalai Lama

14. “All major religious traditions carry basically the same message that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.” – Dalai Lama

15. “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” 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.” – Dalai Lama

16. “Compassion and love are not a luxury. As the source both of inner and external peace, they are fundamental to the survival of our species” ― Dalai Lama

17. “I believe that at every level of society the key to a happier world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.” – Dalai Lama

18. “Each of us in our own way can try to spread compassion into people’s hearts. Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the human ‘brain’ with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the human ‘heart’ with compassion. This is what the real role of religion is.”- Dalai Lama

19. “Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.”- Dalai Lama

20. “I really feel that some people neglect and overlook compassion because they associate it with religion. Of course, everyone is free to choose whether they pay religion any regard, but to neglect compassion is a mistake because it is the source of our own well-being.” – Dalai Lama

21. “Compassion automatically brings happiness and calmness. Then, even if you receive disturbing news, it will be easier to take, as your mind is still.”- Dalai Lama

22. “World economies are always so tenuous and we are subject to so many losses in life, but a compassionate attitude is something we can always carry with us.”- Dalai Lama

23. “I have observed that religious practice is not a precondition either of ethical conduct or of happiness itself. I have also suggested that, whether a person practices religion or not, the spiritual qualities of love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, humility and so on are indispensable.”- Dalai Lama

Which of these Dalai Lama quotes is your favorite?

Whether you need a little inspiration or a reminder on showing more compassion, these quotes by the Dalai Lama hopefully helped. If you have your own favorite, don’t hesitate to write them in the comments.

We’d love to hear from you.