I am always cautious about naming the known, as we often forget to hold in regard those whose names will never be known to anyone outside of their close circle.

For me, Buddhism is a psychology and a philosophy that provides a means, upayas, for working with the mind.

My test for veracity has always been: How this will settle with a person who is dying? Boundlessness seemed to me to open the door to the true nature of mind that is pointed to in the Heart Sutra.

My work has been in the field of engaged Buddhism. That is my own practice, which began in 1965 that formed the base for the work I was doing in the civil rights and anti-war movement.

Compassion has enemies, and those enemies are things like pity, moral outrage, fear.

I've worked in the prison system, on death row and maximum security. I did that work for six years. I've worked with some of the most difficult people in our society. Buddhism was accessible and helpful for these individuals.

All beings, including each one of us, enemy and friend alike, exist in patterns of mutuality, interconnectedness, co-responsibility and ultimately in unity.