I do think that someone who decides to devote themselves entirely to the spiritual life, that that is more meritorious.

I don't think I've changed anything, but I hope that by my talks I have encouraged people in their practice. That's as much as any of us can do.

To be completely enlightened means that you're a Buddha.I don't speak of enlightenment.

We're not lowly sinners, we're not worthless beings. We are something jewel-like and beautiful.

There are certain teachers who shouldn't be teachers.

The real spiritual power is enabling beings to realize the nature of the mind. That's the power of Buddha activity.

I think to dwell continually on the dark side creates gloom and despair and anger and hatred, and that just adds to the darkness. So rather than that, we need to think of the beauty in the world, and also send out love and compassion to all beings in this world. Not just the people we like, but people who we find difficult. Because they are very deeply in need of compassion.