Cats, dogs, and some I mean, birds, many species of mammals, they also have the sort of potential to show affection firstly because of the biological factor.

I am basically optimistic.

I consider myself to be just one among 7 billion human beings. If I were to think of myself as different from others, or as something special, it would create a barrier between us. What makes us the same is that we all want to lead happy lives and gather friends around us. And friendship is based on trust, honesty and openness.

Looking at the pattern of our existence from birth to death, we can see the way in which we are fundamentally nurtured by other's affection.

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.

Awareness of death is the very bedrock of the entire path. Until you have developed this awareness, all other practices are obstructed.

I think really, China, Chinese, I think they really have a long history of civilization, rich culture.