971224人間菩提英文版Making It through the Hard Times by Working Hard and Living Frugally

人間菩提--勤儉守分度時艱
Making It through the Hard Times by Working Hard and Living Frugally


(Ours is an age of consumerism)
The more we consume, the more garbage we create and as we do so, we use up resources.
Also, doesn’t all the garbage pollute our land and worsen the state of our environment?
But in the past, we did all this, unconscious of the consequences.
Everyone just spent to their heart’s content
In fact, if we can quiet down and contemplate upon the question of what is happiness---can material goods really bring us happiness and fulfillment?
Spending only brings us momentary satisfaction.
That sense of satisfaction is not lasting.
Lately, we’ve been constantly seeing news reports about the economic slowdown and the rising unemployment rate.
That is truly very worrying, and we see that problems are all starting to come to the surface.
Back when people were spending money freely, they never thought through the consequences.
Now, at such a time, can everyone stop and reflect and see their mistaken ways?
Every day, we see news reports about people being laid off or being asked to take unpaid leave.
Now that this has already happened, we should (have gratitude where gratitude is due)
As I often say, in difficult times, we need to stick together.
What’s happened has happened.
There’s no need to dwell on the past as it doesn’t help anything,
What we should do now is reflect upon ourselves and be aware of the difficulties facing us and see how we can overcome them together.
Only by so doing can the damage done to society be minimal.
(We must be harmonious with one another) and work together with one heart.
(We must also remain calm and composed) and get along with one another peacefully and harmoniously.
We should all be grateful to each other and work together with joint effort. With that, we’ll be able to weather the crisis.
It’s like being on a boat---
When turbulent waves arise, everyone on board must help keep the boat steady.
(and not rock the boat)
If people panic because of the strong waves, the boat will very likely capsize.
So, at a time like this when the economy is slow.
Everyone must be aware of the circumstances. Calm down, and adjust our lifestyle by being more frugal and diligent.
By diligent, I mean that we still must work even it means that we will get less pay.
And, we should live more simply and frugally.
We should also be grateful for the secure and peaceful days we had as well as the good life we enjoyed.
(where we were able lead a well-to-do life)
But now, we should look at how we can work together to overcome the difficulties we encounter.
Will encouraging consumer spending really help improve people’s lives as well as the current economic situation?
Actually, today is December 24.
In this festive period, how many incidences do we see of people using Christmas as an excuse to be extravagant and (indulge themselves) to go on vacation and to spend lots of money?
In fact, Christmas Eve is the day before the birth of Jesus.(who in Christianity is the world’s savior)
(So, the spirit is about peace on earth)
But nowadays, Christmas has become commercialized.
It’s been turned into a marketing vehicle and people go on shopping sprees.
Young people who are not Christians will use this as an excuse for partying.
That is their attitude toward Christmas.
But I believe what God and Jesus would wish to see is love being inspired in people’s hearts where people love all humanity.
In the cold winter, in places where it is snowing people living in poverty need help.
What Jesus would wish for is for people to show love and compassion to all.
Similarly, after the Buddha attained enlightenment.
He explained to everyone that life is impermanent.
(In good times, we must realize things can change) and know the suffering that can come.
(so we mustn’t lose our heads and go overboard in)
(indulging ourselves)
We should give rise to love for others which would make us spiritually rich.
So, we should do recycling.
(and work for the greater good)
To many people, Hong Kong is a consumer’s paradise.
Actually, it’s very difficult to do recycling in Hong Kong.
Our volunteers there have to go door-to-door to spread the word about it and to ask people to sort their garbage into different categories.
So, our volunteers go door-to-door to ask people o sort their garbage.
Then our volunteers would go collect it.
They’d ask households that recycle their garbage to try and influence their neighbors.
(See how hard our volunteers have been working)
In the past, the money we got for recycling a kilogram of paper was around HK$1.60, but now, its price has dropped to only a few cents.
Despite this, our volunteers say they will continue to do recycling.
In all, the recycling work Tzu Chi volunteers do is not for profit.
It’s not to make money.
It’s to keep our environment clean so that our children and future generations can have a clean planet to live on.
This is the physical recycling work
But most importantly, we should also do “spiritual recycling” to purify our mind.
No matter how hard the work is our volunteers still go door-to-door to spread the word about recycling.
I’m truly grateful to them
So, now we should spread the idea that living a simpler life is the way to richness.
Truly, with the land and air being so seriously polluted
(we need to solve this problem by)
(changing people’s attitudes and)
Encouraging people to lead more simple lives as well as to purify their own hearts and be content to lead quiet and simple lives for it is a blessing to be safe and well.
All in all, I earnestly hope that not only on Christmas Eve alone, but every day, we all can live peacefully.
I hope that every day is a peaceful day and that everyone can (be a person who helps others)
I hope everyone can become a savior of the world.
(This is possible. The Buddha said that)
(everyone has the Buddha-nature) and the true nature of the Buddha and all beings.
are one and the same.
When you have the Buddha’s heart within, you are a Buddha as long as you keep a pure, clean heart every day then you’ll be a Buddha every day.
Everyone, we should face each and every day with mindfulness and love.
Then, no matter how big the difficulties may be, we can overcome them together.