The Dalai Lama’s Timeless Wisdom on Living in the Present
The quote attributed to the Dalai Lama XIV—”There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live”—represents a distillation of Buddhist philosophy into accessible modern wisdom. While the exact origins of this quotation are somewhat murky, with various sources attributing similar sentiments to different figures across history, it has become most closely associated with Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, who rose to prominence in the second half of the twentieth century. The quote embodies the central Buddhist principle of mindfulness and present-moment awareness, concepts that have become increasingly relevant in our contemporary age of distraction and anxiety. Whether or not the Dalai Lama originally penned these exact words, the sentiment aligns perfectly with his decades of teachings on compassion, reflection, and the nature of human suffering.
Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6, 1935, in Taktser, a small village in northeastern Tibet, to a farming family. At the age of two, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the thirteenth Dalai Lama according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, a discovery made through an elaborate search process involving oracles, divination, and the testimony of lamas who claimed to identify signs from his previous life. He was taken from his family and brought to Lhasa to undergo the rigorous monastic education that would prepare him to become the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. His childhood was spent mastering thousands of pages of Buddhist texts, engaging in philosophical debate, and preparing for a role that carried immense political and spiritual significance across the Tibetan plateau. This extraordinary upbringing, isolated from the outside world in the monastery, would shape his unique perspective on human connection and the universal nature of suffering.
The Dalai Lama’s life took a dramatic turn in 1950 when the newly formed People’s Republic of China began its military occupation of Tibet. At just fifteen years old, he was thrust into political leadership, thrust into negotiations with Chinese officials, and forced to grapple with the collision between ancient Buddhist traditions and communist ideology. By 1959, following the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, he made the harrowing decision to flee Tibet, escaping into exile in India with the help of his supporters. This escape, accomplished on horseback through mountain passes while being pursued by Chinese troops, would become one of the most dramatic moments of his life and marked the beginning of his long exile that would define much of his public identity. For the next decades, he lived in Dharamshala in the Himalayan foothills of northern India, establishing a Tibetan government-in-exile and becoming an increasingly prominent voice for nonviolent resistance, Buddhist philosophy, and human rights on the world stage.
What many people don’t realize about the Dalai Lama is that he is an exceptionally curious and scientifically minded individual, despite being deeply rooted in ancient mystical traditions. He has spent considerable time engaging with modern physics, neuroscience, and psychology, meeting with scientists and philosophers to explore how Buddhist teachings align with or differ from contemporary scientific understanding. He has been remarkably open about the idea that Buddhist beliefs should be tested and potentially revised in light of new scientific evidence, a progressive stance that surprised many Western observers who expected religious leaders to be dogmatically resistant to scientific inquiry. Additionally, few people know that he has an unexpected sense of humor and a playful personality; he is famous among those who meet him personally for his laughter, his willingness to joke, and his disarmingly warm demeanor that contrasts sharply with his formal public image. This humanizing aspect of his character has been crucial in making him relatable to audiences far beyond the Buddhist community.
The particular quote about Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today captures a teaching that the Dalai Lama has returned to repeatedly throughout his public life, especially as he has witnessed the accelerating pace of modern life and its psychological toll on people across cultures. In various interviews and writings, he has emphasized that one of the greatest sources of human suffering is the human tendency to regret the past and worry about the future, thereby missing the only moment we can actually experience or influence—the present. This wisdom, while not original to him or to Buddhism, takes on special meaning coming from someone who has lived through extraordinary tragedy and displacement, yet has chosen to devote his life to peace and reconciliation rather than bitterness. His emphasis on “Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live” suggests that the present moment is where human agency truly exists, where we can exercise compassion, maintain faith in positive change, and engage in meaningful action.
Over the decades, this quote has become ubiquitous in contemporary self-help literature, motivational speaking, social media posts, and popular culture—appearing on everything from yoga studio walls to corporate motivational posters to Instagram memes. Its simple wisdom has resonated with millions of people seeking antidotes to the modern epidemic of anxiety and regret. The quote has been particularly embraced by people dealing with depression, PTSD, and chronic worry, as it offers a deceptively simple but profound reframing of how we relate to time and agency. Therapists and wellness coaches often reference this sentiment when encouraging clients to practice mindfulness and focus on what is within their control. The viral nature of the quotation demonstrates humanity’s hunger