He existed a step or two to one side of the common world, largely out of sight, a shadow, all but invisible. Whatever he owned, either he could hoist it on his back and lug it along or he could walk away from it. Anonymity was the thing he loved most about the city, being a part of it and apart from it at the same time.
When people ask the Dalai Lama, "Is Buddhism a religion?" he answers, "Yes, it is. " Then they ask, "What kind of religion is it?" He responds, "My religion is kindness. " You might think, "Everyone's is. " Everyone's is. That's true. It's not complicated to describe the goal of a spiritual life. It's easier than you think to explain it. It's more difficult than you can imagine to do it.