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Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama in his own words and pictures

As the Tibetan spiritual leader talks about stepping down we select some of his best quotes.

THE DALAI LAMA announced earlier today that he was to give up his political role in Tibet in favour of an elected leader in Tibet.

Tenzin Gyatso, is actually the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader and head of state of Tibet which has long fought for independence from China.

The 76-year-old is deeply revered by most Tibetans and around the world.

He is famed for his spiritual teachings and quotations. TheJournal.ie brings you a selection of them as well as some great pictures:

The Dalai Lama in his own words and pictures
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  • "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."

    The Dalai Lama arrives at the opening of the Shudseb Ogyen Dzong Nyingmapa Monastery, near Dharamsala, in December 2010. He is both the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists and a ceremonial leader of their government, which operates in exile since Chinese troops marched into their Himalayan homeland in the 1950s. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
  • "We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection."

    The Dalai Lama looks up during a function to celebrate his birthday in New Delhi, India in July 2009. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
  • "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions."

    US congresswoman and former speaker Nancy Pelosi touches heads with the Dalai Lama, who received the first Lantos Human Rights Prize in October 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
  • "Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength."

    The Dalai Lama waves after being presented with a white cowboy hat by Calgary Mayor David Bronconnier after arriving in Calgary, Canada in September 2009. The City of Calgary presents the hats to honoured guests as a symbol of respect. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)
  • "Sleep is the best meditation."

    The Dalai Lama yawns during a cultural program at the Rigon Thupten Mindrolling monastery in Jeerang, India. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
  • "Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values."

    The Dalai Lama speaks at the Library of Congress in Washington in February 2010, where he was honored by the National Endowment for Democracy with the Democracy Service Medal. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
  • "If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it."

    The Dalai Lama laughs as he speaks to students, faculty, and guests at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
  • "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."

    The Dalai Lama speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in May 7, 2010. The Tibetan leader warned that his people's exile movement must press forward with its talks with the Chinese government despite years of negotiations that have resulted in almost no progress. The Dalai Lama warned it could be decades until any benefits are obvious. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
  • "Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace."

    The Dalai Lama has a light moment as speaks to guests and visitors at the Temple Emanu-El in Miami Beach, Florida in October 2010. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
  • "In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher."

    The Dalai Lama, right, U.S. Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams, left, and others react during the first session at the 11th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Hiroshima, western Japan in November 2010. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)

Quotes courtesy of Thinkexist.com, Brainy Quote, and Inspirational Quotes and Quotations.