Compassion naturally gives rise to tolerance and forgiveness. It allows us to appreciate that even someone we think of as an enemy is a human being with a right to be happy. Your enemy can be your best teacher because he or she teaches the possibility of unconditional compassion.

If we look at the buildings we live and work in, the roads we travel, the clothes we wear, or the food we eat, we must acknowledge that all are provided by others. None would exist for us to enjoy and make use of were it not for the kindness of so many people unknown to us.

Always having feelings of closeness to others and maintaining a loving mind is the sole foundation for building everything we wish for. Focusing on small differences in outer appearances to divide and discriminate is nothing but ignorance.

We are all basically the same. We all have the same human mind. It is true that external influences—one’s surroundings and so forth—are important, but ultimately the nature of mind itself is more important. Each and every one of us has the same potential, the same mental quality.

The only way to effectively deal with negative emotions, the only way to really reduce them, is through the mind, through the application of counteractive mental states that oppose the negative emotions affecting us. That’s the only real, long-term way to reduce them.

HHDL speaking on the fist day of his two day teaching on the occasion of Buddha Shakyamuni's Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana Day at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, HP, India on June 13, 2022. Photo by Tenzin Choejor https://t.co/ZjJJf3Stmr

If we take a sense of universal altruism seriously, where is there room to have enemies? Our real enemies and the enemies of humanity are negative emotions like anger and hatred. Indeed, people who are dominated by powerful negative emotions should be objects of our compassion.

Satisfaction is characterized by inner peace. It arises from generosity, honesty and what I call ethical conduct, a way of behaving that respects others’ right to be happy.

Many of the problems we face are of our own creation. They come about because of a lack of compassion. That’s why I’m dedicated to promoting both compassion and non-violence in a secular context grounded in reason.

Various emotions are part of our mind and part of our life. Jealousy that amounts to competitiveness can stimulate us to achieve more—then it’s good. When the result is that we try to harm others to beat them, it’s to be avoided.

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In the past, our nations were more or less independent of each other. People lived in villages that were self-sufficient. So, the words 'we' and 'us' referred to a small circle of people. Today, the reality is different we are all brothers and sisters and we have to live together

Various emotions are part of our mind and part of our life. Jealousy that amounts to competitiveness can stimulate us to achieve more—then it’s good. When the result is that we try to harm others to beat them, it’s to be avoided.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's message for Vesak, the Buddhist celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death on May 16, 2022. https://t.co/rUGFqvzYB1

We have to remember that each and every one of us is part of humanity. We must be determined to achieve positive change, but also to take a long view of what needs to be done. What is important is not to become demoralized. Optimism leads to success; pessimism leads to defeat.

For most of us, our mother is our first teacher. My mother first showed me compassion and one of the things about her was that she always presented a kind face. As human beings, our lives begin in the shelter of our mother's care and affection, without which we would not survive.

I believe that human nature is fundamentally gentle and compassionate, but it is not enough that this is our underlying nature; we must also develop an appreciation and awareness of that fact, which can have a very real impact on how we conduct our daily lives.

Warm-heartedness is not blind when it is combined with intelligence. We view behaviour as harsh or gentle largely on the basis of appearances, but the real distinction depends on the motivation with which it is done.

We must continually consider the oneness of humanity, remembering that we all want to be happy. And indeed, everyone has a right to a happy life. We may face problems, but we must not lose hope. We must keep up our determination without being impatient to achieve quick results.

HHDL's Message for Earth Day 2022 https://t.co/5Ux2b9JweP