Up to now my involvement in the Tibetan freedom struggle has been part of my spiritual practice, because the issues of the survival of the Buddha Teaching and the freedom of Tibet are very much related. In this particular struggle, there is no problem with many monks and nuns, including myself, joining.

In today's highly interdependent world, individuals and nations can no longer resolve many of their problems by themselves. We need one another. It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members, and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.

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

We have a natural creative ability and it is very important to realize this.

When our mind is calm, we’re better able to find peace of mind and live a joyful life.

In my childhood, I had a religious assistant who always told me, if you can really laugh with full abandonment, it's very good for your health.

I believe that at every level of society the key to a happier world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.