Dalai lama:
The Dalai Lama is the chief tulku, reincarnated lama, of the gelug, one of the traditions within Tibetan Buddhism.
The first person to receive that designation dalai lama during his lifetime was Sönam Gyatso (1543-1588). In the chronological list of succession, he is considered the third Dalai Lama. His two predecessors as chief tulku of the gelug, Gendün Drub and Gendün Gyatso, received that designation posthumously.
Starting with the fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617-1682), the Dalai Lamas can be considered the most important lamas of Tibetan Buddhism. The fifth Dalai Lama, along with his thirteenth incumbent Thubten Gyatso (1876-1933), was the only one to exercise administrative and political power over Tibet. The sixth to twelfth Dalai Lama had little or no political or administrative influence. For most of the 18th and 19th centuries, the country was governed by Tibetan regents, from 1724 onwards under a form of supervision and control by one and later two Chinese ambans.
If every 8-year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.
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.
The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said: “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recover his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.
The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds.
Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength. No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s the real disaster.
Not getting what you wish for is sometimes the best thing that can happen to you.
When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
Judge your success by what you had to give up to achieve it.
Forgiving is not about the other person, but about you: letting go of the burden you carry with you.
