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About this quote

What does it mean?
Helping others should be a daily action, not just a prayer. If you cannot help, at least do no harm.
In plain terms
Be useful to others every day, or at least don't hurt them.
What can you take from it?
Practice active kindness and avoid harm.

Where it applies

  • conflict resolution
  • community service
  • personal conduct

Putting it to work

  • volunteer work
  • peaceful dialogue
  • mindful interaction

Questions to consider

  • How can I help someone today?
  • When did I last choose not to harm?

Another view

Sometimes helping others can enable harmful behavior if not done carefully.

More from Tenzin Gyatso (Dalai Lama)

  1. Sectarian feelings and criticism of other teachings or other sects is very bad, poisonous, and should be avoided.

    Permalink to quote #65
  2. If there are sound reasons or bases for the points you demand, then there is no need for violence. On the other hand, when there is no sound reason that conces…

    Permalink to quote #67
  3. As Buddhists, while we practice our own teaching, we must respect other faiths, Christianity, Judaism and so forth. We must recognize and appreciate their cont…

    Permalink to quote #64

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