Random Thoughts Friday

One this, a fateful anniversay...I give you,

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. One translation of his full name that I've found is, "The Holy One, the Gentle Glory, Powerful in Speech, Pure in Mind, of Divine Wisdom, Holding the Faith, Ocean-Wide."

On a sticky note attached to my computer is this, "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."

If there is anyone who should be bitter, sad, angry, and wanting revenge, it should be him, right? After all he's lost his people, his country both of which are being eliminated from the earth. He's been in exile most of his life, living within view of the mountains that separate him from his heart. How could he not experience those emotions?

And yet he remains boundlessly compassionate and forgiving with a wonderful sense of humor.

“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.”

“There can be no peace as long as there is grinding poverty, social injustice, inequality, oppression, environmental degradation, and as long as the weak and small continue to be trodden by the mighty and powerful.”

“Dangerous consequences will follow when politicians and rulers forget moral principles. Whether we believe in God or karma, ethics is the foundation of every religion.”

“The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful.”

“Compassion, forgiveness, these are the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life.”

"Afflictive emotions - our jealousy, anger, hatred, fear - can be put to an end. When you realize that these emotions are only temporary, that they always pass on like clouds in the sky, you also realize they can ultimately be abandoned.”

“Our enemies provide us with a precious opportunity to practice patience and love. We should have gratitude toward them.”

“The true antidote to greed is contentment. If you have a strong sense of contentment, it doesn't matter whether you obtain the object of your desire or not. Either way, you are still content.”

“People are too serious. All the time, too serious.”