Dalai Lama

“China has to go along with world trends. That's democracy, liberty, individual freedom. China sooner or later has to go that way. It cannot go backward.”

“The important thing is that men should have a purpose in life. It should be something useful, something good.”

“I think really, China, Chinese, I think they really have a long history of civilization, rich culture.”

“I totally disagree with the view that the Tibet struggle will die, and there will be no hope for Tibet, after the Dalai Lama passes away.”

“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.”

“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”

“Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.”

“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.”

“There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.”

“Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that's important. Self-discipline with awareness of consequences.”

“If we have a positive mental attitude, then even when surrounded by hostility, we shall not lack inner peace.”

“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.”

“If some people have the belief or view that the Dalai Lama has some miracle power, that's totally nonsense.”

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

“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.”

“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.”

“Conversion is not my intention. Changing religion is not easy. You may develop some kind of confusion or difficulties.”