27 Inspirational Dalai Lama Quotes to Brighten Your Day

The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsongkhapa (1357–1419).

Here are 10 of his words of wisdom about life, love, and happiness.

Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

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

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. —Dalai Lama

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions. —Dalai Lama

I find hope in the darkest of days and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe. —Dalai Lama

If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them. —Dalai Lama

If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it. —Dalai Lama

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. —Dalai Lama

In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher. —Dalai Lama

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. —Dalai Lama

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. —Dalai Lama

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive. —Dalai Lama

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. —Dalai Lama

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. —Dalai Lama

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

Sleep is the best meditation. —Dalai Lama

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent. —Dalai Lama

The purpose of our lives is to be happy. —Dalai Lama

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. —Dalai Lama

The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual’s own reason and critical analysis. —Dalai Lama

There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness. —Dalai Lama

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

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. —Dalai Lama

We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection. —Dalai Lama

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. —Dalai Lama

Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace. —Dalai Lama

Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion. —Dalai Lama

With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world. —Dalai Lama