Highest spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism
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.'
The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis.
Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.
Physical comforts cannot subdue mental suffering, and if we look closely, we can see that those who have many possessions are not necessarily happy. In fact, being wealthy often brings even more anxiety.
One thing I want to make clear, as far as my own rebirth is concerned, the final authority is myself and no one else, and obviously not China's Communists.
My desire to devolve authority has nothing to do with a wish to shirk responsibility.
I became the Dalai Lama not on a volunteer basis.
Open-minded people tend to be interested in Buddhism because Buddha urged people to investigate things - he didn't just command them to believe.
At the beginning when the child is coming, people worry the child may be deformed. When a healthy boy or child comes, people are very happy for a short moment.
If some people have the belief or view that the Dalai Lama has some miracle power, that's totally nonsense.