If there were really serious consequences if I did not accept, then of course I would do whatever was necessary. But in general I really prefer some freedom.

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

When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, 'Oh yes - I already have everything that I really need.'

Forgiveness doesn't mean forget what happened. If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-measures, you have to take counter-measures.

My earnest request is that you practice love and kindness whether you believe in a religion or not

When selflessness is seen in objects, the seed of cyclic existence is destroyed.

Anger and hatred cannot bring harmony. The noble task of arms control and disarmament cannot be accomplished by confrontation and condemnation. Hostile attitudes only serve to heat up the situation, whereas a true sense of respect gradually cools down what otherwise could become explosive. We must recognize the frequent contradictions between short-term benefit and long-term harm.