Quote of the Week: His Holiness the Dalai Lama

It’s hard to believe that I’ve never included His Holiness the Dalai Lama in this “Quote of the Week” feature, but that seems to be the case!

His Holiness needs little introduction, but here are the basics:

• • Born on July 6, 1935 in northeastern Tibet
• • Was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama when he was two years old
• • In 1959, he escaped from Tibet to live in exile in Dharamsala, India, where he has been ever since
• • Proposed a “Five Point Peace Plan” for Tibet in 1987
• • An extraordinary man, and yet a “simple monk”

Here are words of wisdom from His Holiness (from the anthology The Path of Compassion: Writings on Socially Engaged Buddhism):

Although attempting to bring about world peace through the internal
 transformation of individuals is difficult, it is the only way to achieve a lasting world peace. Even if it is not achieved during my own lifetime, that is all right. More human beings will come–the next generation and the one after that–and progress can continue. I feel that despire the practical difficulties and the fact that this is regarded as an unrealistic view, it is worthwhile to make the attempt. So wherever I go, I express this, and I am encouraged that people from many different walks of life receive it well.

…This is my simple religion. There is no need for complicated philosophies, not even for temples. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple. The philosophy is kindness.