Every government must consider the security of the country. That is just part of the responsibilities of any government. But true security can only come out of unity within a country where there are so many ethnic nationalities.

The Nobel Peace Prize opened up a door in my heart.

It would be difficult to dispel ignorance unless there is freedom to pursue the truth unfettered by fear.

If ideas and beliefs are to be denied validity outside the geographical and cultural bounds of their origin, Buddhism would be confined to north India, Christianity to a narrow tract in the Middle East and Islam to Arabia.

I feel that the BBC World Service is not as versatile as it used to be - or perhaps I'm not listening at the right times.

The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear

People ask me about what sacrifices I've made. I always answer: I've made no sacrifices, I've made choices.