When you think of Buddhism, you're likely to think of peace and tranquility.

The main aim of the [political] dialogue should be to resolve the problems of the nation, not to find who is the winner and who is the loser. That's not what it's all about. It's to try and find an answer that is acceptable to all parties concerned, which would of course require some give and take.

Where there is no justice there can be no secure peace.

There have been many claims that [U.S.] sanctions have hurt Burma economically, but I did not agree with that point of view. If you look at reports by the IMF, for example, they make quite clear that the economic impact on Burma has not been that great. But I think the political impact has been very great and that has helped us in our struggle for democracy.

I think, if you have enough inner resources, then you can live in isolation for long periods of time and not feel diminished by it.

If you're feeling helpless, help someone.

If suffering were an unavoidable part of our existence, we should try to alleviate it as far as possible in practical, earthly ways.