“Many Buddhist temple priests regard their parishioners as possessions and fear their departure as a diminishing of assets.”

“Absent a sense of the preciousness of one's own life, why respect the life of anyone else?”

“On the Brevity of Our TiesTies in this world last only for a time. We are husband and wife, parent and child, for a short period only. Once this reality sinks in, we cannot help treasuring each moment of our brief association.”

“How wonderful it would be if people did all they could for one other without seeking anything in return! One should never remember a kindness done, and never forget a kindness received.”

“The painful sea of birth-and-death knows no bounds.We have long been submerged.Only the ship of Amida’s Vowwill take us aboard and carry us across without fail.(Hymns on the Masters)”

“Unless you progress a step or a half-step more than yesterday, you haven't really lived today.”

“Bliss and suffering, it seems, always go hand in hand.”