To Seek Happiness

I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we are all seeking something better in life. So, I think the very motion of our life is towards happiness…

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
The Art of Happiness

The Dalai Lama, and Howard C. Cutler. The Art of Happiness. Riverhead Books, Penguin Putnam Inc., 1998, p. 13

The Dalai Lama

Theme: Happiness and Well-being

About This Dalai Lama Quote [Commentary]

The Dalai Lama’s statement, “I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness,” highlights a universal drive shared by all people, regardless of cultural or religious background. Happiness, he suggests, is not a luxury or a byproduct of circumstances but a core aim embedded within human nature. This purpose transcends any particular belief system, making it accessible to anyone striving for a better life. As he explains, the natural course of life itself moves in the direction of happiness, revealing an innate inclination toward fulfillment and joy.

To the Dalai Lama, happiness is rooted in an inner process he calls “training the mind.” This training involves nurturing positive thoughts and attitudes while letting go of negative ones, creating a mental environment that fosters well-being. Engaging in this inner discipline, he suggests, can transform one’s outlook on life, focusing on positive aspects in daily experiences. Through such focus, happiness becomes not a fleeting emotion but a sustainable state deeply integrated into life.

The Dalai Lama’s approach is pragmatic and widely applicable. He encourages mindful discernment of what contributes to or detracts from happiness. By nurturing factors that lead to well-being and releasing those that bring suffering, individuals can orient themselves toward lasting contentment. This path, he suggests, offers a practical means of self-exploration and inner growth that forms the foundation of a fulfilling life, inviting all people to find happiness within.

The Dalai Lama with Howard C. Cutler [Excerpt]

“I believe that happiness can be achieved through training the mind…. ”

“When I say ‘training the mind,’ in this context I’m not referring to ‘mind’ merely as one’s cognitive ability or intellect. Rather, I’m using the term in the sense of the Tibetan word Sem, which has a much broader meaning, closer to ‘psyche’ or ‘spirit’; it includes intellect and feeling, heart and mind. By bringing about a certain inner discipline, we can undergo a transformation of our attitude, our entire outlook and approach to living.

When we speak of this inner discipline, it can of course involve many things, many methods. But generally speaking, one begins by identifying those factors which lead to happiness and those factors which lead to suffering. Having done this, one then sets about gradually eliminating those factors which lead to suffering and cultivating those which lead to happiness. That is the way.”

—The Dalai Lama with Howard C. Cutler [The Art of Happiness] pp. 14-15.

To Seek Happiness

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