To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is. A pessimistic attitude can never create the calm and serene smile which blossoms on the lips of Bodhisattvas and all those who obtain the way.

Let us not be afraid of decreasing. It is like the moon, we see the moon increasing and decreasing, but it is always the moon.

Compassion is a verb.

Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand-new hours to live. What a precious gift!

We have to learn to die in every moment in order to be fully alive.

When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.

I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life