To develop understanding, you have to practice looking at all living things with the eyes of compassion.

Happiness is not an individual matter. When you are able to bring relief, or bring back the smile to one person, not only that person profits, but you also profit.

The first thing I learned was that even if you have a lot of money and power and fame, you can still suffer very deeply.

But if we have the energy of compassion and loving kindness in us, the people around us will be influenced by our way of being and living.

Love is the capacity to take care, to protect, to nourish.

Silence is essential. We need silence just as much as we need air, just as much as plants need light. If our minds are crowded with words and thoughts, there is no space for us.

Meditation is to be aware of what is going on - in our bodies, in our feelings, in our minds, and in the world. Each day...children die of hunger.... Yet the sunrise is beautiful, and the rose that bloomed this morning along the wall is a miracle. Life is both dreadful and wonderful. To practice meditation is to be in touch with both aspects. Please do not think we must be solemn in order to meditate. In fact, to meditate well, we have to smile a lot.