Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is not only the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet, he is also a living example of love, understanding and compassion. He travels around the world spreading messages of peace, religious tolerance, happiness, and kindness.
He has inspired millions of people around the world through his books, writings, actions and charismatic personality. He always has a smile to share and a warm heart that he willingly shares with everyone.
Some of the more inspiring quotes that are reflective of his belief system include:
- It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives. If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is to desist from harming them.
- Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
- There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.
- With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.
- The promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline.
- The promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions.
- To act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle for justice.
In addition to being the author of over 70 books, the Dalai Lama has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. However, through it all he remains humble and describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk.
Background
At the age of two he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity.
Growing up he studied various subjects including: logic, Tibetan art and culture, Sanskrit, medicine, the perfection of wisdom, philosophy, the canon of monastic discipline, metaphysics, logic and epistemology, poetry, music and drama, astrology, motre and phrasing, and synonyms.
In 1950 the Dalai Lama assumed full political power after China’s invasion of Tibet in 1949. He has been living in exile since 1959 in northern India.
The Dalai Lama is a man of peace and in 1989 he was awarded a Nobel prize for his non-violent efforts to liberate Tibet. Through his peace initiatives, the Dalai Lama envisions that Tibet can become a zone of peace at the heart of Asia, where all sentient beings can exist in harmony and the delicate environment can be preserved. But his efforts are not limited only to Tibet as he has also been recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.
To find out more about the Dalai Lama visit his official website here.
To read more quotes from the Dalai Lama you can go here.
