I think, for East and West, the first thing we need is a good grounding in basic Buddhadharma.

The new nuns don't know that they're 'supposed' to be meek and submissive, and so in many ways they believe they can do anything, because they've seen the earlier ones do it. In this way, there's nothing for them to doubt.

The dharma is the most precious thing in the world and we should put it at the center of our hearts and transform our whole lives into dharma practice. Otherwise, at the time of death, we will look back and say, now what was all that about? If we truly want to benefit others and ourselves, we have to do it. No excuses.

At the age of 21 I was so sensible and became a nun. I am very grateful to myself for that.

Keep your practice very simple and don't be too ambitious.

As my lama always told me, I learned that I practice better when I'm by myself.

To me the special quality (which of course many men have as well) is first of all a sharpness, a clarityIt cuts through - especially intellectual ossification. Itgets to the point. To me the dakini principle stands for the intuitive force.