His Holiness The Dalai Lama: It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the 21st century does not repeat the pain and bloodshed of the past.

The Dalai Lama: Why I’m hopeful about the world’s future

The Washington Post, Opinions, 13 June 2016

By The Dalai Lama
(The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet. Since 1959, he has lived in exile in Dharamsala in northern India.)
Almost six decades have passed since I left my homeland, Tibet, and became a refugee. Thanks to the kindness of the government and people of India, we Tibetans found a second home where we could live in dignity and freedom, able to keep our language, culture and Buddhist traditions alive. Continue reading »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Universal Responsibility in the Modern World

Transcript of His Holiness’s Public Talk on Universal Responsibility in the Modern World. Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom, May 22, 2008.

Riki Hyde-Chambers (Chairman of Tibet Society): Ladies and gentlemen, it is my very great privilege to introduce you to His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.



Someone in audience: We love you.



His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Thank you.

Firstly, let me sit more comfortably. Don’t worry, I am not going to meditate in silence. Continue reading »

A Human Approach to World Peace

Introduction

When we rise in the morning and listen to the radio or read the newspaper, we are confronted with the same sad news: violence, crime, wars, and disasters. I cannot recall a single day without a report of something terrible happening somewhere. Even in these modern times it is clear that one’s precious life is not safe. No former generation has had to experience so much bad news as we face today; this constant awareness of fear Continue reading »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Importance of Education

From his speech in Dharamsala to a large gathering of followers from Tibet on Mar 27, 2006, the Dalai Lama warns of extreme dangers facing the survival of the Tibetan identity while emphasizing that modern education is indispensable for sustaining the Tibetan Buddhist culture and ethnicity in these most difficult circumstances in Tibet’s history.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I always keep saying that the broad masses of the Tibetans in Tibet are the real masters of the Tibetan destiny, Continue reading »

Human Rights, Democracy and Freedom

By Tenzin Gyatso, H.H. the XIV Dalai Lama.

This year, 2008, marks the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948–2008). This declaration affirms that all human beings have the right to freedom from want and freedom from fear. Continue reading »

Relevant Comments by HH The Dalai Lama Subsequent to the Sept. 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack on the US

Non-Violence, the Appropriate and Effective Response to Human Conflicts

The 11th September attack on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon were deeply shocking and very sad. I regard such terrible destructive actions as acts of hatred, for violence is the result of destructive emotions. Continue reading »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: The Reality of War

Of course, war and the large military establishments are the greatest sources of violence in the world. Whether their purpose is defensive or offensive, these vast powerful organizations exist solely to kill human beings. We should think carefully about the reality of war. Continue reading »

The Global Community and The Need for Universal Responsibility

The global community

As the twentieth century draws to a close, we find that the world has grown smaller and the world’s people have become almost one community. Political and military alliances have created large multinational groups, industry and international trade have produced a global economy, and worldwide communications are eliminating ancient barriers of distance, language and race. We are also being drawn together by the grave problems we face: overpopulation, dwindling natural resources, and an environmental crisis that threatens our air, water, and trees, along with the vast number of beautiful life forms that are the very foundation of existence on this small planet we share.

I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Continue reading »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Message for the New Millenium

Many people seem to be excited about the new millennium, but the new millennium in itself will be nothing special. As we enter into the new millennium things will be the same; there will be nothing unusual. However, if we really want the next millennium to be happier, more peaceful and more harmonious for humankind we will have to make the effort to make it so. Continue reading »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: The Medicine of Altruism

In Tibet we say that many illness can be cured by the one medicine of love and compassion. These qualities are the ultimate source of human happiness, and need for them lies at the very core of our being. Continue reading »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Buddhism and Democracy

Washington, D.C., April 1993


1. For thousands of years people have been led to believe that only an authoritarian organization employing rigid disciplinary methods could govern human society. However, because people have an innate desire for freedom, the forces of liberty and oppression have been in continuous conflict throughout history. Continue reading »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Message on the 50° Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

I am extremely encouraged to learn that there will be worldwide commemoration on the 50° anniversary of the adoption and signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Continue reading »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Disarmament for World Peace

Through history, mankind has pursued peace one way or another. It is too optimistic to imagine that world peace may finally be within our grasp? I do not believe that there has been an increase in the amount of people’s hatred, only in their ability to manifest it in vastly destructive weapons. Continue reading »