His Holiness the Dali Lama on the Wisdom of Giving & Receiving

Presenting to an audience of thousands on Saturday in Perth, Australia, His Holiness captivated the crowd with his humor and thoughts on compassion, wisdom, education and freedom. The charismatic 79-year-old offered his advice for those seeking a happy life by cultivating a compassionate mind. 

His Holiness spoke of being kind, attentive, and honest in dealing with others, offering praise where it is due, giving comfort and advice where they are needed, and simply sharing one’s time with someone. “Giving with an open heart brings us joy and directly benefits others. Goods, services and time are shared more equitably within society and also among nations, thus giving others the opportunity to receive.”

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, ‘it is not survival of the fittest, but survival of those who cooperate the most, that makes a species prosper. None of us exists independently; we have to depend on others simply to stay alive. Thus, helping others and sharing wealth, benefits both self and others. Generosity makes us happy now, enables our species to continue to prosper, and creates positive karma that brings us prosperity in the future.’