It is the task of all human beings with an aspiration to spiritual perfection … to affirm the fundamental value of compassion…

The Dalai Lama

The Fundamental Value

Topic: Love, Compassion, & Kindness

It is the task of all human beings with an aspiration to spiritual perfection—not just the leaders of the world religions but also every individual believer—to affirm the fundamental value of compassion that lies both at the heart of human nature and at the core of the ethical teachings of all the world’s major religions. In this way we can truly develop a deep recognition of the value of other faiths, and on that basis, we can cultivate genuine respect.

The Dalai Lama

Tenzin Gyatso, born on July 6, 1935, is known globally as the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual and former political leader of the Tibetan people. Born as Lhamo Thondup in a farming family in Taktser, Amdo, Tibet, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, when he was just two years old. As the Dalai Lama, he holds the highest spiritual position within Tibetan Buddhism and is seen as a figure of great moral authority and influence. Following China's invasion of Tibet in 1950, he assumed full political power in 1950 but was forced into exile in India in 1959 after the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.

The Dalai Lama is renowned for his messages of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, and compassion. He has authored numerous books and has lectured worldwide, becoming one of the most influential figures in the world of spirituality and philosophy. In recognition of his work for peace and non-violence, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Furthermore, his advocacy for the cultural and religious rights of the Tibetan people and his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the situation in Tibet through dialogue and understanding, rather than violence, have made him an internationally respected leader. Despite the political controversies and challenges, he remains committed to promoting human values and harmony among the world's religious traditions.

Buddhism
Toward a True Kinship of Faiths

The Dalai Lama (Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World's Religions Can Come Together) Intro. XI-XIII.

The Dalai Lama

Theme: Compassion

About This Dalai Lama Quote [Brief Commentary]

In his call to affirm the value of compassion, the Dalai Lama stresses that cultivating this virtue is not the sole responsibility of spiritual leaders but a shared duty of all people. He notes that compassion lies at the core of human nature and forms the ethical foundation of the world’s major religions. By emphasizing this universal quality, he invites individuals to look beyond external differences and recognize the shared human capacity for compassion, urging each person to embody this principle in daily life.

The Dalai Lama’s message suggests that genuine respect for other faiths arises when we first acknowledge the common ethical ground we share. When compassion is recognized as a central value across traditions, mutual respect and understanding naturally follow. This process fosters an environment where diversity is welcomed, not feared, and helps bridge the gap between people of varying beliefs. Thus, compassion becomes a unifying force that strengthens relationships within and across communities.

Additionally, the Dalai Lama highlights that compassion is not only a moral imperative but also a key to personal and collective well-being. Extending care to others nurtures inner peace and happiness, offering a deeper sense of fulfillment. In this way, compassion serves as both a guiding principle and a source of lasting contentment, helping individuals lead more meaningful lives while contributing to the greater good of society.

The Dalai Lama, Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together

The establishment of genuine inter-religious harmony, based on understanding is not dependent upon accepting that all religions are fundamentally the same, or that they lead to the same place. I do maintain, however, that their very different metaphysical teachings give, in each case, a truly inspiring foundation for a beautiful ethical system rooted in compassion. I have no doubt that a sincere believer can, with integrity, be a pluralist in relation to religions other than his own, without compromising commitment to the essence of the doctrinal teachings of his own faith.

My engagement with the world’s religions has convinced me that, whatever the differences of doctrine, on the level of actually living a religious life or fulfilling a spiritual aspiration, there is a striking degree of shared understanding. In particular, all the great religions stress compassion as a fundamental spiritual value… I have no doubt that compassion lies at the heart of all these religions. If this is true, there is a tremendous potential for the world’s religions to come together in the cause of human goodness… The challenge before us—which I see as most urgent—is to overcome this history [of conflict] and move to a harmonious understanding rooted in compassion.

—The Dalai Lama [Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together] Intro. XI-XIII.

An Additional Quote from the Dalai Lama

“It is my fundamental conviction that compassion—the natural capacity of the human heart to feel concern for and connection with another being—constitutes a basic aspect of our nature shared by all human beings, as well as being the foundation of our happiness. In this respect, there is not an iota of difference between a believer and a nonbeliever, nor between people of one race or another. All ethical teachings, whether religious or nonreligious, aim to nurture this innate and precious quality, to develop it and to perfect it.”

—The Dalai Lama [Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together (From a book review on the Spirituality & Practice website)].

Resources

It is the task of all human beings with an aspiration to spiritual perfection … to affirm the fundamental value of compassion…

The Dalai Lama

The Fundamental Value

Topic: Love, Compassion, & Kindness

It is the task of all human beings with an aspiration to spiritual perfection—not just the leaders of the world religions but also every individual believer—to affirm the fundamental value of compassion that lies both at the heart of human nature and at the core of the ethical teachings of all the world’s major religions. In this way we can truly develop a deep recognition of the value of other faiths, and on that basis, we can cultivate genuine respect.

The Dalai Lama

Buddhism
Toward a True Kinship of Faiths

The Dalai Lama (Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World's Religions Can Come Together) Intro. XI-XIII.

The Dalai Lama

Theme: Compassion

About This Dalai Lama Quote [Brief Commentary]

In his call to affirm the value of compassion, the Dalai Lama stresses that cultivating this virtue is not the sole responsibility of spiritual leaders but a shared duty of all people. He notes that compassion lies at the core of human nature and forms the ethical foundation of the world’s major religions. By emphasizing this universal quality, he invites individuals to look beyond external differences and recognize the shared human capacity for compassion, urging each person to embody this principle in daily life.

The Dalai Lama’s message suggests that genuine respect for other faiths arises when we first acknowledge the common ethical ground we share. When compassion is recognized as a central value across traditions, mutual respect and understanding naturally follow. This process fosters an environment where diversity is welcomed, not feared, and helps bridge the gap between people of varying beliefs. Thus, compassion becomes a unifying force that strengthens relationships within and across communities.

Additionally, the Dalai Lama highlights that compassion is not only a moral imperative but also a key to personal and collective well-being. Extending care to others nurtures inner peace and happiness, offering a deeper sense of fulfillment. In this way, compassion serves as both a guiding principle and a source of lasting contentment, helping individuals lead more meaningful lives while contributing to the greater good of society.

The Dalai Lama, Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together

The establishment of genuine inter-religious harmony, based on understanding is not dependent upon accepting that all religions are fundamentally the same, or that they lead to the same place. I do maintain, however, that their very different metaphysical teachings give, in each case, a truly inspiring foundation for a beautiful ethical system rooted in compassion. I have no doubt that a sincere believer can, with integrity, be a pluralist in relation to religions other than his own, without compromising commitment to the essence of the doctrinal teachings of his own faith.

My engagement with the world’s religions has convinced me that, whatever the differences of doctrine, on the level of actually living a religious life or fulfilling a spiritual aspiration, there is a striking degree of shared understanding. In particular, all the great religions stress compassion as a fundamental spiritual value… I have no doubt that compassion lies at the heart of all these religions. If this is true, there is a tremendous potential for the world’s religions to come together in the cause of human goodness… The challenge before us—which I see as most urgent—is to overcome this history [of conflict] and move to a harmonious understanding rooted in compassion.

—The Dalai Lama [Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together] Intro. XI-XIII.

An Additional Quote from the Dalai Lama

“It is my fundamental conviction that compassion—the natural capacity of the human heart to feel concern for and connection with another being—constitutes a basic aspect of our nature shared by all human beings, as well as being the foundation of our happiness. In this respect, there is not an iota of difference between a believer and a nonbeliever, nor between people of one race or another. All ethical teachings, whether religious or nonreligious, aim to nurture this innate and precious quality, to develop it and to perfect it.”

—The Dalai Lama [Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together (From a book review on the Spirituality & Practice website)].

The Fundamental Value

Resources

Related Quotes

The Fundamental Value

Resources

Related Quotes