Seven Years in Tibet Quotes

Dalai Lama: I can't sleep. I'm afraid the dream might come back.
Heinrich Harrer: A couple of insomniacs.
Dalai Lama: Tell me a story, Heinrich. Tell me a story about climbing mountains.
Heinrich Harrer: That's one way to fall asleep. Those stories bore even me.
Dalai Lama: Then tell me

what you love about it.
Heinrich Harrer: The absolute simplicity. That's what I love. When you're climbing your mind is clear and free from all confusions. You have focus. And suddenly the light becomes sharper, the sounds are richer and you're filled with the deep, powerful presence of life. I've only felt that one other time.
Dalai Lama: When?

Heinrich Harrer: In your presence, Kundun.

Ngawang Jigme: Hello, my friend. We did what was best for our country, for Tibet.
Heinrich Harrer: On the way to Lhasa I would see Tibetans wearing those jackets. 'Chinese soldiers very nice. Give food, clothes and money. Very nice.' It's strange to me that something so harmless as a jacket can symbolize such a great lie.
Ngawang

Jigme: After all these years you still don't understand our Tibetan ways. To return a gift is unforgivable.
Heinrich Harrer: A man who betrays his culture shouldn't preach about its customs. There was a time I would have wished you dead but your shame will be your torture and your torture will be your life. I wish it to be long.

Heinrich Harrer: Ugh! Butter tea, it was never my cup of tea.
[Peter begins to pour another cup]
Heinrich Harrer: No, no, no. One was enough.
Peter Aufschnaiter: [continues pouring] Yes. We must follow the custom. A fresh cup of tea is poured for the loved one departing.
[picks up the tea]
Peter

Aufschnaiter: No, no, no, no, no. It sits untouched, waiting for his return.

[meeting with the Chinese generals]
Dalai Lama: Until I attain my majority, the regent is the political leader of Tibet. You should have requested an audience with him to discuss these important matters of the world. My experience of such things is limited. I am a simple Buddhist monk. All I know is the scripture and the words of Lord Buddha. He said, "All beings tremble

before danger and death. Life is dear to all. When a man considers this, he does not kill, or cause to kill." You must understand, these words are ingrained in the heart of every Tibetan. It is why we are a peaceful people who reject violence on principle. I pray you will see this as our greatest strength, not our weakness. I thank you for your visit.
Dalai Lama: [throws

some incense] An offering to the Enlightened ones.
General Chang Jing Wu: [getting up to leave] Religion is poison.

Dalai Lama: ...You can not ask a devout people to disregard a precious teaching.
Heinrich Harrer: Yes but Your Holiness, with due respect, erm, we can't possibly
[laughs]
Heinrich Harrer: I'm sorry, but we can't possibly save all the worms! Not if you want a theater in this lifetime.
Dalai Lama: You

have a clever mind. Think of a solution. And in the meantime you can explain to me, what is an elevator.

Heinrich Harrer: You have to leave. You have to leave Tibet, Kundun. Your life's at great risk. Forgive my presumption but I have made arrangements to get you out safely. We should leave directly after the enthronement, the Chinese won't expect it.
Dalai Lama: How can I help people if I run away from them? What kind of leader would I be? I have to stay

here, Heinrich. Serving others is my path to deliberation.
Heinrich Harrer: Then I don't go either.
Dalai Lama: Why not?
Heinrich Harrer: Because you are my path to deliberation.
Dalai Lama: The Buddha said 'Salvation doesn't come from the sight of me. It demands strenuous effort and practise. So work

hard and seek your own salvation constantly.' I am not your son. And I've never thought of you as my father. You've been much too informal to me for that. Do you ever think about him?
[Heinrich cries, nodding]
Dalai Lama: And what do you think about?
Heinrich Harrer: It's not a conscious thought really, Kundun. He is always there. When I

crossed Tibet he was with me. When I came to Lhasa he was with me. When I sit beside you he is there with me. I can't even imagine how to picture the world without him in it.

Peter Aufschnaiter: Know what time it is? You think I'm so happy to be travelling with you I should pay for it? You're such a big man that you don't need to contribute?
Heinrich Harrer: You have a problem, Peter?
Peter Aufschnaiter: It reminds me of what you said at the bazaar back there. 'If I had a watch like that I would trade

it.' You do not have one, you cheap, lying bastard! You have three!
Heinrich Harrer: This is junk from some Italian prisoners.
Peter Aufschnaiter: I don't give a shit! Haven't you ever heard of a principle?
Heinrich Harrer: What principle? What? You want a watch? Go ahead, take one, and keep your principles.

Peter Aufschnaiter: Look at you! Caught being a selfish brat and you're gloating!
Heinrich Harrer: You're acting like an old woman, Peter. What do you want?
Peter Aufschnaiter: Try apologizing. Try feeling a little remorse. And for all that's fair try to wipe that smirk off your face!

Peter Aufschnaiter: Oh, by the way, I heard the Japanese have retreated all the way back to Shanghai. So even if you make it to the Chinese border you may have difficulties catching up with them.
Heinrich Harrer: I don't care if they've retreated all the way back to Tokyo.
Peter Aufschnaiter: You should if you want to get back to

Austria.
Heinrich Harrer: But I don't.
Peter Aufschnaiter: You don't what?
Heinrich Harrer: Plan to go back.
Peter Aufschnaiter: Why not?
Heinrich Harrer: No particular reason. But when you get there tell my wife that two years in prison camp is roughly equal ant to four years of

marriage and I'm glad to be free of them both.