I became the Dalai Lama not on a volunteer basis.
If some people have the belief or view that the Dalai Lama has some miracle power, that’s totally nonsense.
I am confident I will set foot again in Tibet in my lifetime.
I consider myself as a free spokesman for the people.
I think there’s every reason this 21st century will be much happier.
I think really, China, Chinese, I think they really have a long history of civilization, rich culture.
As long as I am alive, I am fully committed to amity between Tibetans and Chinese. Otherwise there’s no use.
I never dreamt, in my dream, I’m Dalai Lama.
Chinese people themselves, they really want change.
Many Tibetans sacrifice their lives.
I have always had this view about the modern education system: we pay attention to brain development, but the development of warmheartedness we take for granted.
Even when a person has all of life’s comforts – good food, good shelter, a companion – he or she can still become unhappy when encountering a tragic situation.
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.
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.
Religious belief is not a precondition either of ethical conduct or of happiness.
The highest happiness is when one reaches the stage of liberation, at which there is no more suffering.
The universe is a single atom: the convergence of science and spirituality.
Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and look back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
If someone does not smile at you, be generous and offer your own smile. Nobody needs a smile more than the one that cannot smile to others.
Through awareness, you get a certain attitude. That’s the way, you see, to achieve more peaceful, more compassion, more friendship through that way.