One great question underlies our experience, whether we think about it or not: what is the purpose of life?… From the moment of birth every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affects this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment… Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.

When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves or some immediate convenience. When we are able to recognize and forgive ignorant actions of the past, we gain strength to constructively solve the problems of the present.

Compassion is of little value if it just remains an idea. It must motivate how we respond to others and be reflected in all our thoughts and actions.

It is the enemy who can truly teach us to practice the virtues of compassion and tolerance.

Be ready to change your goals, but never your values.

So, if you think only of yourself, only your own happiness, the result is actually less happiness. You get more anxiety, more fear.

When you have this sense of concern, your mind automatically widens. At this point, your own problems, even big problems, will not be so significant. The result? Big increase in peace of mind.

The moment you develop a sense of concern for others, you realize that, just like ourselves, they also want happiness; they also want satisfaction.

Because motivation pervades all action, it is important that we have a positive motivation. Whatever we are involved in, whether it’s politics, education, medicine, law, engineering, science, business or industry, the nature of our motivation determines the character of our work.

The quality of what we do depends on our motivation, which is why we have to learn how to cultivate a compassionate mind.

Hard times build determination and inner strength. Through them we can also come to appreciate the uselessness of anger. Instead of getting angry nurture a deep caring and respect for troublemakers because by creating such trying circumstances they provide us with invaluable opportunities to practice tolerance and patience.

I want to be just a pure spiritual leader.

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.

Don’t ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance or my kindness for weakness. Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.

It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act.

To remain indifferent to the challenges we face is indefensible. If the goal is noble, whether or not it is realized within our lifetime is largely irrelevant. What we must do therefore is to strive and persevere and never give up.

I defeat my enemies when I make them my friends.

The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.

No matter what is happening, no matter what is going on around you, never give up

Everybody wants a happy life and a peaceful mind, but we have to produce peace of mind through our own practice.

It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.

Learn and obey the rules very well so you will know how to break them properly.

The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.