Dalai Lama Quotes: 20 Sayings By Buddhist Spiritual Leader On 83rd Birthday

Friday marks the 83rd birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama, who, after being forced into exile — following a thwarted uprising in homeland Tibet in 1959 — currently lives in India.

Born Tenzin Gyatso, at the age of two, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso.

While "Dalai Lama" is a spiritual title of the highest regard in Buddhism and is meant to be passed on to a worthy successor hand-picked before his death by the current title-holder as his future reincarnate, the age-old traditional might soon come to an end.

In 2014, the 14th Dalai Lama told BBC in an interview he might be the last spiritual head of the name to walk the earth — an opinion he reiterated last year, in a segment on the late night talk show “Last Week with John Oliver.”

When asked whether he was concerned if he doesn’t resolve his “reincarnation issue,” that “China will appoint their own Dalai Lama?” the Buddhist leader chose to approach the question in a slightly vague, yet witty manner.

“Our brain has the ability to create common sense. The Chinese hard-liners ... that part of the brain is missing,” he said.

That was not the only time the present Dalai Lama has molded words to get his point across or spoke directly from his heart on issues that plague mankind in today’s world. Here are a few other quotes from the great leader, as taken from Brainy Quote:

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”

“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.”

“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.”

“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.”

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

“Too much self-centered attitude, you see, brings, you see, isolation. Result: loneliness, fear, anger. The extreme self-centered attitude is the source of suffering.”

“Sleep is the best meditation.”

“I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.”

“When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways - either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength. Thanks to the teachings of Buddha, I have been able to take this second way.”

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.”

“With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world.”

“Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.”

“Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.”

“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.”

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

“Appearance is something absolute, but reality is not that way - everything is interdependent, not absolute. So that view is very helpful to maintain a peace of mind because the main destroyer of a peaceful mind is anger.”

“The best way to resolve any problem in the human world is for all sides to sit down and talk.”

“Even an animal, if you show genuine affection, gradually trust develops... If you always showing bad face and beating, how can you develop friendship?”

“When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, 'Oh yes - I already have everything that I really need.'”

“I describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk. No more, no less.”