Suffering pulls us farther away from other human beings. It builds a wall made of cries and contempt to separate us.

One thing is that [Tibetans] should not give up hope. That's - even [if] it lasts a century. My discussions with the Dalai Lama always were about that.

I am much more afraid of my good deeds that please me than of my bad deeds that repel me.

I'll tell you what: I believe mysticism is a very serious endeavor. One must be equipped for it.

[Tibet] is a small country based on religious principle, religious traditions. It never wanted any conquest.

Every nation has its prestigious military academies - or so few of them - that reach not only the virtues of peace but also the art of attaining it? I mean attaining and protecting it by means other than weapons, the tools of war. Why are we surprised whenever war recedes and yields to peace?

The primary task of a Jew in turbulent times is to be Jewish.