As soon as I wake up I pay homage to the Buddha, and I try to prepare my mind to be more altruistic, more compassionate, during the day to come so I can be of benefit to beings. Then I do physical exersice - I walk on a treadmill.

We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have it, then no politician or even a magician can save the planet.

In order to lead a meaningful life, you need to cherish others, pay attention to human values and try to cultivate inner peace.

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.

Instead of harboring fear and suspicion we need to think of other people not as ‘them’ but ‘us’.

Affection is important because it counters anger, hatred and suspicion that can prevent our minds from functioning clearly.

Those who like myself, consider themselves to be followers of Buddha, should practice as much as we can. To followers of other religious traditions, I would like to say, 'Please practice your own religion seriously and sincerely.' And to non-believers, I request you to try to be warm-hearted. I ask this of you because these mental attitudes actually bring us happiness.