I consider non-violence to be compassion in action. It doesn’t mean weakness, cowering in fear, or simply doing nothing. It is to act without violence, motivated by compassion, recognising the rights of others.

There is often a big disparity between the way in which we perceive things and the way things really are.

Even a small act of compassion grants meaning and purpose to our lives.

There are five billion human beings and in a certain way I think we need five billion different religions.

Scientists may study mainly matter but they cannot ignore the human mind, or consciousness: spiritual practitioners may be engaging mainly in developing the mind but they cannot completely ignore their physical needs. It is for this reason that I have always stressed the importance of combining both mental and the material approach to achieving happiness for humankind.

We have always been a nation different from the Chinese. Long ago we fought wars with them.

Never give up. No matter what is happening, no matter what is going on around you, never give up.