人間菩提--克勤儉‧迎安和
Welcoming in the New Year with a Frugal and Diligent Lifestyle
Around this time every year, we are all full of joy and filled with hope for the future because we’ve come through this past year safe and sound. So, we should send off the year 2008 with gratitude and welcome the year 2009 with utmost piety.
We wish that 2009 will be a safe year filled with auspiciousness and peace.
How can we make it an auspicious year?
How to ensure peace and safety?
Everyone, in the year 2008, many places around the world did not enjoy peace and safety due to natural disasters and due to chaos and unrest in that society.
That’s why the Buddha said that life is impermanent and the land we live on is fragile.
We must know that only when everyone in this world can give love can disasters in this world be reduced or eliminated.
The reason so many disasters occur in this world is due to people’s actions.
Everyone’s mind has turned blind.
(When we’re blind to the laws of Nature)
(and act against them,)
(Nature will be out of balance)
Because of our ignorance and blindness, we have polluted the air and now, the pollution has made the climate become abnormal.
So, when it rains, sometimes it brings torrential downpours on a scale never seen before and causes disasters.
As for typhoons, we’re seeing more of stronger and bigger typhoons.
The weather around the world is becoming abnormal.
This abnormality in weather (has come about due to)
(humanity’s wayward conduct and mind)
(That’s why the climate has become so unfavorable)
So, now we need to mitigate global warming by transforming people’s wayward minds.
We need to calm our minds down and think about (what’s the proper conduct)
The life we’ve been leading is one of consumption and pursuing pleasure.
Everyone, regarding the consumption voucher that the government is going to give out---we need to use it wisely.
I’m very worried about, young people (going on a shopping spree)
(During the economic downturn) people should learn to live frugally and work diligently instead of continuing to spend so much money.
Of course, everyone has their own way of using the voucher.
For example, kids may use their NT$3,600 voucher to buy something that costs beyond NT$3,600 and parents end up having to pay more to cover the difference, perhaps paying NT$5,000.
When people have this voucher, they will spend it.
When they cannot rein in their spending, it’ll get them into trouble and into a down ward spiral.
At this economic downtime, people should learn to be frugal and use this voucher in the right way.
(If everyone pools their vouchers together,) the amount can enable us to conduct major relief projects.
Everyone, (we really should use it for altruistic ends)
This economic downtime is the best time to teach people about the correct lifestyle and way to live.
The current decline in the economy is unavoidable because we’ve been overspending and it has created a bubble economy.
What we need to do now is to lead a more grounded life.
(In the past, people) (didn’t borrow money to expand their business)
(They only)
(did as much business as they had the money for)
So, there wasn’t the problem of economic bubbles since the scale of their business was based on what they actually had money for.
But nowadays, (people do the opposite)
(They draw up large plans for their business)
(and then they borrow a big sum to do it)
To expand their business, they’d borrow more money, and they keep doing this.
That’s how the economy bubble is created.
So, when the United States experiences a credit crisis, it ripples to other countries like the domino effect.
Therefore, businesses should return to doing business the old way---not based on borrowing.
We should return to the lifestyle of the old days of leading a more grounded life by being diligent and frugal.
Being diligent means to work hard.
Don’t just lead a life of comfort.
We ought to work diligently and be frugal.
If we can do this, the global financial crisis and the economic downtime would be a good time to rectify and establish the right values.
So, as long as people can pacify their minds, the financial crisis will pass quickly.
Look at our recycling volunteers (There was)
(one volunteer who, even when in debt,)still donated NT$2,000 (US$61) per month.
She also (still did volunteer recycling work)and didn’t stop her efforts in that
It can all be done, so long as we’re willing.
If we really want to do it (even if our leg is bent out of shape,) we can still do it, just like our volunteer.
If were determined to do it, we can overcome any and all difficulties.
What can we do with our hands?
Some use them to gamble.
“When I got into gambling, all I wanted to do was gamble.
“I didn’t know what to do.”
All I’d think about is winning a lot of money.
Now, I feel that my son has come back to me.
It’s all thanks to Master.
Otherwise, no matter how much I begged him to the point that I almost kneeled down to him.
He wouldn’t listen to me
He has to do it willingly.
If not, even if I tell him to join Tzu Chi, he won’t do it.
Mom, I need to repent to you
Thank goodness you did not commit suicide.
Mom, I am very sorry.
Mom, I will follow Master and do good deeds in Tzu Chi.
I will not go astray again and do bad deeds.
Mom, I will stay in Tzu Chi follow Master, and do good deeds.
I will also take good care of you and love you.
After my dad joined Tzu Chi, it’s easier to talk to him.
Now, my dad is like a different person.
He has completely changed.
(What I learned from the Jing Si Aphorisms) really impacted my life.
We need to let go. Let all of it go.
Look at Mr. Xu.
He can use his hands to do other things besides gambling.
Look at him now.
He’s doing recycling work in Tzu Chi.
Recycling volunteers’ cultivation is on the street.
People would ask do Tzu Chi volunteers receive a salary for doing the recyling work?
I’d reply, “No,”
They’d say I’m being a fool for doing work that I don’t get paid for I told them what I “earn” is joy.
If I got depression and went in for psychological treatment, I’d need to spend a lot of money.
And I might not be cured.
(Doing recycling can help with depression)
If society gains one more person who is a good person who does good, this person can contribute a great deal to the good of society. This economic downturn presents an opportunity for us to return to family values and perhaps build a trend of
(a healthier family life)
Furthermore, we must continue to do good deeds.
If we are spiritually rich. naturally, in our daily life, we will have plenty.
Everyone, please think about things in this way.
As for the future, we hope that this coming year will be an auspicious year and a year where all is safe and sound.
To have such auspiciousness, our hearts must be in harmony. We must work together with one heart.
At such a time, when the economy is said to be not doing well, we must work harder, be more frugal, and have the strength to endure hardship.
If we can do that, this financial crisis will be able to pass by more quickly because everyone is peaceful and safe and there is no unrest in society.
It’s great to be in Taiwan because it’s a place with many Tzu Chi members.
I hope everyone’s hearts are peaceful and calm.
Our Jing Si principles are about diligently following the way of Truth.
(so, we must cultivate ourselves diligently)
The path of Tzu Chi is about going into the community to share the Dharma with others and spread it.
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