Helping others is not limited to providing food, shelter, and so forth, but includes relieving the basic causes of suffering and providing the basic causes of happiness.
Happiness in simplicity can be achieved with a flexible mindset and nine hours sleep each night.
When selflessness is seen in objects, the seed of cyclic existence is destroyed.
As free human beings we can use our unique intelligence to try to understand ourselves and our world. But if we are prevented from using our creative potential, we are deprived of one of the basic characteristics of a human being.
The world has also learned that economic growth, by itself, cannot close the gap between rich and poor.
Neither a space station nor an enlightened mind can be realized in a day.
This we can all bear witness to, living as we do plagued by unremitting anxiety. It becomes more and more imperative that the life of the spirit be avowed as the only firm basis upon which to establish happiness and peace.
Treat each person as you would an old friend.
If we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster!
From adversity we can learn the value of patience.
I hope that at this moment you are thinking of yourself as a human being rather than as an American, Asian, European, African, or member of any particular country. These loyalties are secondary.
We should practice by showing one another love and helping one another. It is a mistake to pursue happiness and to seek to the avoid suffering by deceiving and humiliating other people. We must try to achieve happiness and eliminate suffering by being good-hearted and well-behaved.
According to Buddhist psychology most of our troubles stem from attachment to things that we mistakenly see as permanent.
To a large extent, whether you suffer depends on how you respond to a given situation.
Affection is important because it counters anger, hatred and suspicion that can prevent our minds from functioning clearly.
I remain convinced that most human conflicts can be solved through genuine dialogue conducted with a spirit of openness and reconciliation.
One of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is to try to shift the focus of attention away from self and toward others.
All good qualities must be sown and cultivated. We can’t expect to change overnight from an ordinary person into one with high realizations.
Appreciate how rare and full of potential your situation is in this world, then take joy in it, and use it to your best advantage.
When we face problems with compassion, sincerity, and good motivation, our solutions may take longer, but ultimately they are better.