Freedom is the real source of human happiness and creativity. Irrespective of whether you are a believer or nonbeliever, whether Buddhist, Christian, or Jew, the important thing is to be a good human being.

I have come to the conclusion that whether or not a person is a religious believer does not matter. Far more important is that they be a good human being.

My desire to devolve authority has nothing to do with a wish to shirk responsibility.

Material objects give rise to physical happiness, while spiritual development gives rise to mental happiness. Since we experience both physical and mental happiness, we need both material and spiritual development. This is why, for our own good and that of society we need to balance material progress with inner development.

One country ... one ideology, one system is not sufficient. It is helpful to have a variety of different approaches ... We can then make a joint effort to solve the problems of the whole of humankind.

Sectarian feelings and criticism of other teachings or other sects is very bad, poisonous, and should be avoided.

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.