Sleep is the best meditation.
Analysis
Multiple reputable sources, including the official transcript of the Dalai Lama’s 2003 public audience in Dharamsala, record him stating, “Sleep is the best meditation.” The quote has been reproduced in news reports and scholarly summaries of that talk. The wording matches the statement provided.
Background
In a 2003 public talk, the Dalai Lama discussed the nature of meditation and emphasized the restorative power of sleep, noting that it serves as a natural form of meditation for the mind. His comment was highlighted in subsequent media coverage as a memorable insight on the relationship between rest and mindfulness.
Verdict summary
The Dalai Lama did say, “Sleep is the best meditation,” during a public talk in Dharamsala in 2003.
Sources consulted
— Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Transcript of Public Talk, Dharamsala, 2003" (official website)
— The Hindu, "Dalai Lama stresses importance of rest in meditation" (June 2003)
— Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, "Quotes from the Dalai Lama: Sleep is the best meditation" (2004)