To a Buddhist, contradictions only exist in a mind that has been forced to cultivate them.

The great weakness of the West is that it has nothing with which to inspire loyalty except wealth. But what is wealth? Another washing machine, a bigger car, a nicer house to live in? Not much to feed the spirit in all that.

Las Vegas is the expression, in glitter and concrete, of Americas brittle and mutating id.

When you notice light seeping into your coffin, it's hard to go on pretending that you're still dead.

In Southeast Asia the world is understood to be a vast, complex network of interdependent relationships. So when global capitalism makes it impossible for small-time rice farmers to feed their families and make a living, it is a natural thing for anyone in the family who can find an alternative source of income to do so.

To a Buddhist, contradictions only exist in a mind that has been forced to cultivate them.

Just studying Buddhism, then meditating and going to Buddhist monasteries, talking to Buddhist monks, combined with the Thai people themselves, changed the way I look at the world.