Determination, with an optimistic attitude is the key to success.

Some consider me as a living Buddha. That's nonsense. That's silly. That's wrong. If they consider me a simple Buddhist monk, however, that's probably okay.

World peace must develop from inner peace.

There are techniques of Buddhism, such as meditation, that anyone can adopt. And, of course, there are Christian monks and nuns who already use Buddhist methods in order to develop their devotion, compassion, and ability to forgive.

The key point is kindness. With kindness one will have inner peace. Through inner peace, world peace can one day be a reality.

But when it comes to democratic political parties, I prefer that monks and nuns not join them - in order to ensure proper democratic practice.

We are social animals. Others' suffering is ultimately your suffering; their happiness is ultimately your happiness.