On every level of human life, compassion is the key thing.

Even when we have physical hardships, we can be very happy.

The ultimate source of my mental happiness is my peace of mind. Nothing can destroy this except my own anger.

Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or nonbelieving, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones. We all experience pain when we suffer loss and joy when we achieve what we seek. On this fundamental level, religion, ethnicity, culture, and language make no difference.

The proper way to create friends is to have a warm heart, not simply money or power. The friend of power and the friend of money are something different.

If we can cultivate a concern for others, keeping in mind the oneness of humanity, we can build a more compassionate world.

I am convinced that everyone can develop a good heart and a sense of universal responsibility with or without religion.