True happiness means forging a strong spirit that is undefeated, no matter how trying our circumstances.

Faith is to fear nothing, to stand unswayed, the power to surmount any obstacle.

So long as nuclear weapons continue to exist, so will the temptation to threaten others with overwhelming military force.

Having lived through the transition from totalitarianism, I am acutely mindful of the need to never take for granted the basic freedoms of thought, expression and belief that democracy brings.

A commitment to human rights cannot be fostered simply through the transmission of knowledge. Action and experience play a crucial role in the learning process.

It is by fighting and triumphing over the enemies of the Buddha that we ourselves become Buddhas.

How aware are we of our own inner life, our spirituality-something so intangible yet so priceless? How much effort do we make to perceive that which is not obvious, which can neither be seen nor heard? I believe the exploration and enrichment of the human spirit is what determines our very humanity. Such enrichment provides an inner compass that can lead civilizations to greatness.