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.
Dalai LamaDemocratic institutions are necessary and very important, and if I remained at the head of government, it could be an obstacle to democratic practice. Also, if I were to remain, then I would have to join one of the parties. If the Dalai Lama joins one party, then that makes it hard for the system to work.
Dalai LamaBy far the single greatest danger facing humankind - in fact, all living beings on our planet - is the threat of nuclear destruction.
Dalai LamaWe are all basically the same human beings, who seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. Everybody is my peer group. Your feeling "I am of no value" is wrong. Absolutely wrong.
Dalai LamaPeace must first be developed within an individual. And I believe that love, compassion, and altruism are the fundamental basis for peace. Once these qualities are developed within an individual, he or she is then able to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. This atmosphere can be expanded and extended from the individual to his family, from the family to the community and eventually to the whole world.
Dalai Lama