I describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk. No more, no less.

Treat each person as you would an old friend.

If we don't understand phenomena, we are more likely to do things to harm ourselves and others.

I have always had this view about the modern education system: we pay attention to brain development, but the development of warmheartedness we take for granted.

Meet hostility and suspicion with kindness. Helping others out of love is always the best option.

As a Buddhist, I view death as a normal process, a reality that I accept will occur as long as I remain in this earthly existence. Knowing that I cannot escape it, I see no point in worrying about it. I tend to think of death as being like changing your clothes when they are old and worn out, rather than as some final end. Yet death is unpredictable: We do not know when or how it will take place. So it is only sensible to take certain precautions before it actually happens.

There is no denying that consideration of others is worthwhile and that our happiness is inextricably bound up with the happiness of others. There is no denying that if society suffers, we ourselves suffer, and the more our hearts and minds are afflicted with ill-will, the more miserable we become. We can reject religion, ideology, received wisdom, but we cannot escape the need for love and compassion.