If The Mind Is Dominated By Hatred,

All Suffering Is Caused By Ignorance. People Inflict Pain On Others In The Selfish Pursuit Of Their Happiness Or Satisfaction.

If One's Life Is Simple, Contentment Has To Come.

(because) The Notion Of Absolute Truth Is Difficult To Sustain Outside The Context Of Religion, Ethical Conduct Is Not Something We Engage In Because It Is Somehow Right In Itself But Because, Like Ourselves, All Others Desire To Be Happy And To Avoid Suffering. Given That This Is A Natural Disposition, Shared By All, It Follows That Each Individual Has A Right To Pursue This Goal. Accordingly, I Suggest That One Of The Things Which Determines Whether An Act Is Ethical Or Not Is Its Effect On Others' Experience Or Expectation Of Happiness.

Religion Does Not Mean Just Precepts, A Temple, Monastery, Or Other External Signs, For These As Well As Hearing And Thinking Are Subsidiary Factors In Taming The Mind.

Although You Can Find Certain Differences Among The Buddhist Philosophical Schools About How The Universe Came Into Being, The Basic Common Question Addressed Is How The Two Fundamental Principles-external Matter And Internal Mind Or Consciousness-although Distinct, Affect One Another. External Causes And Conditions Are Responsible For Certain Of Our Experiences Of Happiness And Suffering. Yet We Find That It Is Principally Our Own Feelings, Our Thoughts And Our Emotions, That Really Determine Whether We Are Going To Suffer Or Be Happy.