What is the purpose of life? I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy.

I think many people knows what I am thinking. The whole world knows I am not seeking independence, therefore is many Tibetan disappointed, and also some of our supporters - many Indians, many Europeans, many Americans are also disappointed because I am not seeking independence.

Death and dying provide a meeting-point between the Tibetan Buddhist and modern scientific traditions. I believe both have a great deal to contribute to each other on the level of understanding and of practical benefit.

I am increasingly convinced that the time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and ethics beyond religion altogether.

War is out of date, obsolete.

I hope that at this moment you are thinking of yourself as a human being rather than as an American, Asian, European, African, or member of any particular country. These loyalties are secondary.

Even within one person, yesterday and today, there are differences. We must look at a deeper level.