Religion is like going out to dinner with friends. Everyone may order something different, but everyone can still sit at the same table.

While people are often content to criticize and blame others for what goes wrong, surely we should at least attempt to put forward constructive ideas. One thing is for certain: given human beings' love of truth, justice, peace, and freedom, creating a better, more compassionate world is a genuine possibility. The potential is there.

I have found a much greater appreciation of Buddhism because I couldn't take it for granted here in exile.

I don't take myself too seriously! That makes me happy.

Peace must first be developed within an individual. And I believe that love, compassion, and altruism are the fundamental basis for peace. Once these qualities are developed within an individual, he or she is then able to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. This atmosphere can be expanded and extended from the individual to his family, from the family to the community and eventually to the whole world.

The greatest antidote to insecurity & sense of fear is compassion. It brings one back to the basis of one's inner strength.

When you think everything is someone else's fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.