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

Americans are interested because they are open-minded. They have an education system that teaches them to find out for themselves why things are the way they are. Open-minded people tend to be interested in Buddhism because Buddha urged people to investigate things - he didn't just command them to believe.

Peace and the survival of life on earth as we know it are threatened by human activities which lack a commitment to humanitarian values. Destruction of nature and nature's resources result from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth's living things.

Rulers come and go. It's the people who are the real rulers of the country.

Through awareness, you get a certain attitude. That's the way, you see, to achieve more peaceful, more compassion, more friendship through that way.

I'm nothing special, just an ordinary human being. That's why I always describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk.

Indulgence in resentment and vengeance will only further increase miseries to oneself and others in this life and in lives to come.