Compassion and the Words of the Dalai Lama: 20 Quotes to Change Your Perspective

In the midst of a world full of suffering and turmoil, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. But what if we all took a moment to reflect on what we truly want as individuals—peace, safety, security, shelter, nutrition, love—and committed to fulfilling those needs for all living creatures? According to the Dalai Lama, it’s not that complicated. In his book, the Dalai Lama’s Book of Wisdom, he offers advice on dealing with anger, finding joy, facing death, and giving and receiving. Here are 20 Dalai Lama quotes to change the way you think:

Dealing with Anger and Emotion
1. “I consider hatred to be the ultimate enemy.”
2. “The ultimate source of my mental happiness is my peace of mind. Nothing can destroy this except my own anger.”
3. “Dissatisfaction is the seed of anger.”
4. “Only an enemy gives us the opportunity to practice patience.”
5. “My attitude towards other people is to always look at them from the human level.”

Joy and Living Well
1. “Humans have the potential not only to create happy lives for themselves but also to help other beings.”
2. “There are always extremes, but the middle way is the proper way.”
3. “Contentment is the key.”
4. “Much depends on our own attitude.”
5. “Good conduct is the way in which life becomes more meaningful, more constructive, and more peaceful.”

Facing Death and Dying
1. “Illness happens. When illness happens, it is better to accept it.”
2. “Death is a part of all our lives.”
3. “The unfortunate event can be a source of inner strength.”
4. “Some suffering can be a good lesson for life.”
5. “Looking at problems from different angles actually lessens the mental burden.”

Giving and Receiving
1. “Compassion is the most wonderful and precious thing.”
2. “With genuine compassion, you view others as more important than yourself.”
3. “Just as you have the instinctive natural desire to be happy and overcome suffering, so do all sentient beings; just as you have the right to fulfill this innate aspiration, so do all sentient beings. So on what exact grounds do you discriminate?”
4. “The only option is to live and work together harmoniously and keep in our minds the interest of the whole of humanity. That is the only outlook and way we must adopt for our survival.”
5. “A true friendship develops on the basis of human affection, not money or power.”

It’s clear from these quotes that compassion and empathy are at the heart of the Dalai Lama’s teachings. He believes that if we all treated each other with kindness and understanding, we could eliminate much of the suffering in the world. But how do we achieve this? It starts with recognizing our shared humanity and acknowledging that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

One key to cultivating compassion is to look beyond our own needs and desires and consider the needs and desires of others. This can be challenging, especially when we’re focused on our own problems and struggles. But the Dalai Lama reminds us that by practicing empathy and compassion, we not only help others, but we also benefit ourselves by cultivating inner peace and happiness.

Another important aspect of compassion is recognizing that we are all connected. Our actions have a ripple effect that can impact others in ways we may not even realize. By treating others with kindness and empathy, we can create a more harmonious and peaceful world.

In conclusion, the Dalai Lama’s wisdom offers a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and kindness in a world that is often cruel and divisive. By taking his words to heart and striving to treat others with the same respect and understanding we would want for ourselves, we can create a more just and compassionate world for all living creatures.