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About this quote

What does it mean?
Compassion is the key to happiness at all societal levels. Developing good human qualities is enough, without needing religion or ideology.
In plain terms
Compassion makes the world happier. You just need to develop good qualities, not follow a religion.
What can you take from it?
Develop compassion and good human qualities to improve society, regardless of religious belief.

Where it applies

  • education
  • community leadership
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • practice daily compassion
  • mentor others in kindness

Questions to consider

  • Is compassion enough to solve social problems?
  • Do you need religion to be moral?

Another view

Some argue that structured religion provides stronger motivation for moral behavior than general compassion.

More from Tenzin Gyatso (Dalai Lama)

  1. Compassion without attachment is possible. Therefore, we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment. True compassion is not just an emo…

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  2. According to Buddhism, individuals are masters of their own destiny. And all living beings are believed to possess the nature of the Primordial Buddha Samantab…

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  3. Within the body there are billions of different particles. Similarly, there are many different thoughts and a variety of states of mind. It is wise to take a c…

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