Someone asked the Dalai Lama (?) what surprises him most. This was his response.
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Update: there’s a ton of discussion in comments, as well as elsewhere online, about who said this. What is clear is that the Dalai Lama said something very near to this (he does not speak fluent English). See comments. In any case, it’s quote or sentiment we appreciate, and the 2.0 nature of the internet, in this case, has only served to improve the original, simple offering that is this inspiring quote. ~ ed.
I got chills reading this. Dalai Lama? Nailed it!
Via Reddit.
Incorrect source, offensive, or found a typo? Or do you want to write for Elephant?
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[...] For more: > Wisdom of the Dalai Lama, or somebody. [...]
[...] so easily lose track of the most important values in life. How can we identify the most essential elements to lead a good [...]
[...] so easily lose track of the most important values in life. How can we identify the most essential elements to lead a good [...]
[...] Source: elephant [...]
Man how dare you try to motivate people with words… lol no really man I love the positive message. I don't even get surprised any longer when people find negative in something positive. Thanks for sharing!
It's a hoax, he never said it. http://thedamienzone.com/2011/10/12/dalai-lama-qu…
I love this man. If you go to youtube and watch some of his teachings you won't be able to keep from smiling.
On 3/3 I posted that this was a hoax and gave a link verifying it. Why would the Elephant Journal not post my comment?
There are several interesting closing dates in this article nevertheless don?ft determine I see these folks center to heart. There does exist some validity but I is going to take hold opinion until I seek out it further. Good article , thanks and now we want more! Included on FeedBu
When one first becomes aware of the wisdom of such a statement, there is a shift in thinking. Unfortunately, after not too long a period of time, much of that re-newed thinking falls by the wayside… until another bright glimmer comes along at a later date. We can only pray that glimmer comes along with some frequency!
Regardless of whether the dalai lama said this or not, you people are, once again, focusing on the wrong part of the story. The focus is the quote, not who said it. If the dalai lama was the main focus of this then it would have been clear. instead, the QUOTE is in BIG LETTERS making it the focus of the piece. The point is, Humans are being stupid. STOP worrying about the future and enjoy the present. That doesn't mean don't prepare for the future. That doesn't mean don't work towards something. It just means live like you're going to die. Work but make time to enjoy the world around you. Don't overwork yourself and sacrifice your enjoyment of life because if you die before you reach your goals, then what was the point of you working? It's kind of like having a really crazy plan and having a fallback for when that plan falls through. If you spend your life working towards a goal but take the time to enjoy life as well, then if things don't work out, you can at least say that you hadn't wasted your life working towards it. You enjoyed where you were as well. Although, to be honest, if you enjoy where you are then getting somewhere doesn't seem as important to you anymore. It's all how you look at it I guess. Anyway, enjoy life because you ARE going to die and when you get to that point, all the money and material possessions in the world won't mean a damn thing to you.
[...] Someone asked the Dalai Lama (?) what surprises him most. This was his response. [...]
It can move people to change and reflect regardless of who said it or whether it was religious speak or spiritual or George Carlin or Bugs Bunny.
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Beautifully and truthfully said.
The Buddha never had a problem with lay people making money — as long as they made it though 'right livelihood' and used their blamelessly-gained wealth to take care of parents and to practice generosity (the first of the perfections).
[...] Ethics for a New Millennium, for example, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, recommends that we put the other first as an antidote to [...]
[...] [...]
Exactly. I know so many people living this way. People don't realize that nothing lasts forever, and that you take nothing with you to the grave. Health is real wealth, as money can't buy you health.
Several commentors have asked questions to the effect of, "Who cares if he said it or not?"
It's very important whether or not a given quote is accurately attributed. Great damage can be done by putting words into someone else's mouth. It is not only a lie, it is also a slander, and a kind of particularly public identity theft.
Just ask yourself this: How would you feel if you woke up one morning and found the twitterverse buzzing about something you said – except you didn't say it?
The internet is particularly vulnerable to falsehood. The only way to protect ourselves from that is to insist on the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truty.
I looked, and it's all over google, and I couldn't find the source. It sounds to me like the Dalai Lama, edited of course since his English is limited and simple. But I don't know more than that. I have no reason to doubt the source unless we're given a reason to doubt it.
Nice sleuthing. This sounded too professional to be the Dalai Lama, tho' he might agree.(Not sure what would surprise him; maybe China getting a conscience before it travels through it's new imperialism as it supplants the US?)
Siona, you're on it! Anyone at that talk in Lisbon?!
According to the Office of the Dalai Lama this quote is not from him…..
11/26/11
Dear Amy,
Thank you for your email inquiring about this particular quote which has been attributed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has made no such remarks, either in speech or in writing. We trust this clarifies it.
Best wishes,
Tenzin Gyalpo
Administrative Assistant
Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Thekchen Choeling
P.O. McLeod Ganj
Dharamsala
Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) 176219
India
That's not Carlin. That's Louis C.K.
Does it matter? That Lisbon talk was in 2007; the Paler translation is from 2005. (And who knows when his "Interview with God" was written) My money is on the Romanian activist / writer.
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/07/everything…
Good point. The quote is indicative on a how a majority of us live our lives, and it is easier distract ourselves from the truths of this quote then face the fatal flaws in our lifestyles.