Two Simple Words, a World of Meaning
For years, I have remembered an anecdote in which the Dalai Lama was asked to sum up Buddhism and replied with two words: “Be kind.” I have not traced the original interview, but the thought has stayed with me. His office also records the advice “Be kind whenever possible; it is always possible”.
But what does this truly mean? It is not merely a suggestion to be polite. It is a profound principle rooted in a deep understanding of reality, an understanding that changes everything.
The Web of Connection: Why Kindness Matters
The Lesson in Our Clothes
This principle of kindness is founded on the Buddhist realization that nothing exists in isolation. A simple example is the clothing we wear. A garment is not just a finished object; it is the result of a long chain of connections—from the person who planted the cotton, to those who wove, dyed, and cut the fabric, to the people who produced the buttons, to the salesperson in the store. Every object and every action is a node in a vast, invisible network that connects us all. When we truly grasp this, kindness is no longer a mere gesture but the logical consequence of knowing that we can never separate the well-being of others from our own.
A Personal Association with Quantum Physics
Quantum entanglement [1] also comes to mind when I think about connections that challenge everyday intuition. Experiments have demonstrated correlations between entangled particles that cannot be explained by classical models. This is a specific physical phenomenon, not scientific proof of Buddhist interdependence or of a moral principle. The association is personal: it reminds me to question how readily I imagine things, and people, as entirely separate.
The Art of Giving: Beyond Transaction
This understanding of interconnectedness changes how I think about “giving and taking.” We can treat generosity as a transaction, giving something while consciously or unconsciously expecting a return, whether soon or in a future life.
In Buddhist traditions, dāna, or giving, is an important practice. Its motives vary, but the ideal that interests me here is generosity without attachment: giving without calculating the thanks, recognition or benefit it might bring.
So what does the giver “get”? Nothing in a material sense, but they receive something far more profound. Every act of selfless giving is a direct practice against our ego-centricity. It loosens the tight grip of our self, which constantly seeks to possess, control, and secure. It is a practical exercise in mindfulness and letting go. In the moment we give without calculating, we are fully present. We recognize the connection between ourselves and others and experience a form of joy that arises not from receiving but from allowing things to flow. You could say the reward for giving is freedom from the compulsion of taking.
From Theory to Practice: Personal Experiences
For me, this is not an abstract theory but a practice that has enriched my life for decades. Nowhere does this become more tangible and real for me than on my travels through the Buddhist-influenced countries of Southeast Asia. There, in direct experience, the profound truth hidden in concepts like mindfulness and compassion reveals itself.
The Wisdom of a Tuk-Tuk Driver
About ten years ago, in Cambodia, the issue of begging was still a tricky one for me. You are warned not to give anything in some countries, lest you be immediately surrounded by a crowd. But how do you act in the face of obvious need? The answer came from someone I least expected.
In Siem Reap, we had a tuk-tuk driver who not only took us to the most remote temples but also usually explored them with us. During the ascent to the sacred site of Phnom Kulen, injured or very poor people sat along the stairs, hoping for alms. I was hesitant, but our driver—far from a rich man himself—stopped for every single one and gave them a small donation.
When I asked him what was appropriate, he smiled. “It’s not about the amount, but about the act itself,” he explained. He added that he couldn’t give much, but his day would be significantly sadder if he didn’t. At the end of our week together, when we gave him a generous tip, he said with a knowing smile that this was surely the reward for his small donations on the mountain.
The Echo of Mindfulness
This experience is not an isolated one. Time and again, I noticed a pattern: the deepest, most authentic experiences were always preceded by a small act of trust, respect, or mindfulness. It was the same in Sri Lanka, where I had booked a driver for eleven days in advance. After just a few emails, a wave of mutual respect was palpable, culminating in an invitation to his brother’s wedding just a day after our arrival—an unforgettable and deeply moving experience.
The Happiest Country on Earth?
Bhutan offers another way to think about the conditions for well-being. Its Gross National Happiness framework rests on sustainable and equitable development, environmental conservation, cultural preservation and good governance. It considers material living standards alongside other aspects of life, rather than relying on GDP alone. The constitution, Article 5(3), also requires at least 60 percent of the country’s land to remain under forest cover. To me, that expresses a responsibility towards nature and future generations. It does not mean that every Bhutanese person is happy, but it takes the question of well-being seriously.
A Radical Statement in Stone
But perhaps the most lasting image on the theme of “Be kind” I also found in Sri Lanka [2], in a completely unexpected place. We were driving through Colombo and passed a high, white prison wall. I know nothing about the conditions inside that prison, but this public declaration, carved in huge letters, moved me deeply:
“PRISONERS ARE HUMAN BEINGS”
These words are a radical statement. They are a reminder that the principle of kindness is universal and knows no exceptions—especially not in places where we find it hardest to grant. It is the recognition of dignity in every person, regardless of their actions.
The Full Circle
From the wall of a prison in Colombo back to the two simple words of the Dalai Lama, the circle closes. Kindness is not a moral duty but a choice for a richer, more connected, and ultimately happier way of life. It is the realization that the act of giving is, in itself, the greatest gift.
Perhaps the final word should belong to a philosopher from an entirely different tradition, who also wrestled with the nature of a well-lived life. Friedrich Nietzsche offers a thought that I associate with this kind of joy. In Human, All Too Human, Part II, “Miscellaneous Maxims and Opinions,” §48, he writes (rendered here in English):
“Whoever possesses abundant joy must be a good man: but he is probably not the cleverest man, although he achieves exactly what it is that the cleverest man strives with all his cleverness to achieve.”
In the end, the simple, heartfelt path of kindness may just be the most profound wisdom of all, effortlessly achieving what cleverness alone never can.
Extra: The Circle Closes Once More
And the circle closes one last time—with wonderful news for me personally. While the core principles of kindness are universal, certain aspects of Buddhism naturally differ across various countries. Due to my deep connection to Chinese culture, I am particularly interested in Buddhist art in China. There, Buddhism has uniquely blended with Daoist and Confucian traditions, resulting in a very distinct style in the depiction of Bodhisattvas and the architecture of its temple complexes.
When I wrote this in July 2025, we were planning to spend two winter months in Yunnan, near Myanmar. The idea was to stay on a small farm rather than in a hotel, helping with laundry and daily chores. We hoped to take trips to the surrounding towns, which are still largely untouched and relatively free of tourists because they are small and not considered hotspots. But they are full of history, ancient architecture, temples, and simple life.
The prospect of travelling with a backpack brought me back to my youth, when I first discovered Europe with a backpack on my shoulders. The later travel diary begins with Spring Greetings from Yunnan.
Footnotes
[1] For the physical research, see the Nobel Prize’s explanation of the 2022 physics award. Its subject is entangled particle systems, not an experimental test of spiritual or ethical ideas.
[2] Sri Lanka has a Buddhist majority. The 2024 census reports 69.8% Buddhist, 12.6% Hindu, 10.7% Muslim and 6.9% Christian. These are census categories, not a description of every individual’s beliefs.
Related articles
About Being Happy: Reflections and Thoughts · My Gig in Kabul · Meditation of the Zen Master
Explore Art & Writing
Art Portfolio → Featured Artworks → Arts & Philosophy Journal → All Articles
Explore Asian Art Essays for writing on Chinese painting, calligraphy, aesthetics and art history.
Available Artworks
Original works are available on FriedrichZettl.com and Saatchi Art
Leave a Reply