Buddhism Quote by Dalai Lama
“I could justify violence only in this extreme case, to save the last living knowledge of Buddhism itself.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Buddhism, Dalai Lama, 2008
Violence is justified only when it protects essential cultural heritage, but such justification is extreme.
In simple terms: Violence may be defended to save Buddhism’s core teachings.
Seek non‑violent preservation of knowledge.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- museum protection
- digital archiving
- academic freedom
- religious education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is any violence truly necessary to protect ideas?
- What alternatives exist for safeguarding knowledge?
Violence risks eroding moral authority and may cause more harm.