Skip to content

Buddhism Quote by Dalai Lama XIV

“It does not matter whether one is a Buddhist like me, or a Christian like the Archbishop, or any other religion, or no religion at all. From the moment of birth, every human being wants to discover happiness and avoid suffering. No differences in our culture or our education or our religion affect…” quote by Dalai Lama XIV
Download Open image
““It does not matter whether one is a Buddhist like me, or a Christian like the Archbishop, or any other religion, or no religion at all. From the moment of birth, every human being wants to discover happiness and avoid suffering. No differences in our culture or our education or our religion affect this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire joy and contentment. But so often these feelings are fleeting and hard to find, like a butterfly that lands on us and then flutters away.””

Dalai Lama XIV

About This Quote

Source Speech: Public address, Dalai Lama, 2010

All humans share a fundamental drive for happiness and avoidance of suffering, regardless of religion or culture; this desire is often elusive.

In simple terms: Everyone wants joy, but it’s hard to hold onto.

Key Takeaway

Seek lasting contentment beyond fleeting pleasures.

Themes

happiness human nature spirituality

Mood

reflective hopeful serene

Type

philosophical inspirational spiritual

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • mental health
  • mindfulness practice
  • interfaith dialogue

Key Concepts

desire for joy impermanence psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we cultivate enduring joy?
  • What practices help us grasp fleeting happiness?
A Different Perspective

Happiness is influenced by external conditions and personal mindset.

3.6 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Dalai Lama XIV

Explore all 206 Dalai Lama XIV quotes

More Buddhism quotes

Browse all 6,100 Buddhism quotes