Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.

Afflictive emotions - our jealousy, anger, hatred, fear - can be put to an end. When you realize that these emotions are only temporary, that they always pass on like clouds in the sky, you also realize they can ultimately be abandoned.

Our world is increasingly interdependent, but I wonder if we truly understand that our interdependent human community has to be compassionate; compassionate in our choice of goals, compassionate in our means of cooperation and our pursuit of these goals.

Appreciate how rare and full of potential your situation is in this world, then take joy in it, and use it to your best advantage.

Ignorance is the source of hatred, and the way to get rid of ignorance is realization.

Many people today agree that we need to reduce violence in our society. If we are truly serious about this, we must deal with the roots of violence, particularly those that exist within each of us. We need to embrace 'inner disarmament,' reducing our own emotions of suspicion, hatred and hostility toward our brothers and sisters

I always try to share with others the idea that in order to become compassionate it is not necessary to become religious.