971231人間菩提英文版Turning Storms into a Spring Breeze

人間菩提--轉化風暴為春風
Turning Storms into a Spring Breeze


Nowadays, we see that ethics and moral values are on the decline.
This is truly very worrying.
The global financial crisis or storm we’re facing is nothing to be frightened about
What’s truly frightening is the spiritual storm ravaging people’s minds.
A downturn in the economy isn’t anything we need to panic about but it’d be worrying if people cannot face it calmly and peacefully.
Nowadays, many companies are cutting back staff.
But if employers and employees can have gratitude and love for one another---
Employers should be grateful to their employees because without their employees their businesses could not have been established.
Employees should be grateful to their employers because without the employers and their business plans the employees would not have jobs.
So, employers and employees should be grateful to one another and be more understanding of each other.
Only when everyone keeps a calm and peaceful mind like this can we survive the financial crisis and survive this period of job cuts.
This is a cause you staff at our cultural center can contribute to
At this time when the global financial crisis is
(affecting us and moral values are on the decline) carrying out our work is like birds flying against the wind or fish swimming against the current.
It’s truly not an easy job.
But at a time like this if we go with the trend, (the situation will grow worse, and we’ll)
(bring upon ourselves even bigger crises)
So, in the midst of such a storm, we must not go with the flow but strive to transform it so it can become a soothing breeze.
To do that, what’s most important is to adjust people’s mindset.
(and change people’s way of thinking)
When our perspective and way of thinking is right, I’m sure that the economy will recover and the financial crisis, we’re experiencing will pass soon, and then we can start all over again and I am confident that we’ll be alright.
So, to serve as birds flying against the wind and fist swimming against the current, we need to exert more effort.
I know it’s very strenuous.
(That’s what I’d like to encourage everyone to do)
Actually, the economic downturn recently has also affected me.
In fact, I was among the first to be affected.
Be it natural or manmade disasters---
To tell the truth, ever since the start of this year, there hasn’t been a single month when my mind has been at peace.
It’s not just the disasters that I have to worry about. There are also
(people that I have to deal with) each with his or her own mind, personality. habits, and inclinations.
In such a time of many disasters, how can we pacify people’s minds and moreover, guide people away from their unwholesome habits and tendencies so they can follow the right direction in life.
With all the disasters around the world and dealing with people’s habitual tendencies.
I find myself like a bird flying against the wind because no mater what, I must persist in our mission.
With so many disasters occurring, can we let the victims suffer without aid?
The economy is very bad right now, but it’s not that people are strapped on cash
It’s that they don’t know how to use their money. wisely. Instead, they spend it as they wish.
We should really use the money to benefit others.
(are not spend it on things we don’t really need)
In May this year, when Myanmar was devastated by a cyclone and Sichuan of China by an earthquake, we began soliciting donations. But, people weren’t as generous with their donations as they have been in the past.
Concerned, I quickly called on Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide to appeal for relief donations.
I also called on our volunteers to promote the practice of saving a coin every day.
(to benefit those in need)
So, this time, I’m truly very grateful to our volunteers in Canada and the U.S.
Actually, a large part of the funds for our relief missions in Myanmar and Sichuan came from the efforts of our volunteers in the U.S. and Canada.
(This actually highlights a worrying situation)
(I understand that)
(people are less well-to-do)
(because of the recent economic downturn)
But when people cannot bring themselves to donate when they know there are people being affected by disaster, that worries me because it’s important for people to seize the time and opportunity to do good.
People must know how to best utilize their money to benefit others.
This is what’s most important.
So, I’m truly very worried.
So, it is my hope that we can work to inspire love in more people in Taiwan.
This morning I watched Da Ai News and saw our winter aid distributions in Xiamen, Fujian province of China.
Before our volunteers left for the distributions I kept telling them that they must promote the practice of saving a coin every day among the locals so that they too can help others.
While helping the poor, we must also encourage them to help others as we hope that from now on.
(they can become rich spiritually)
Leading a simpler life is the way to richness.
By that, I don’t mean living in poverty.
Even if people truly live an impoverished life, we also hope that we can encourage them to help others and thereby cultivate blessings.
So, we saw that those who came to receive relief goods put their money into the coin bank and many of them even put bills in our coin bank.
See how responsive the locals were
Though their donations may seem small when pooled together, they can do a lot.
It’s not only about the money they donated.
What matters most is the good thought that people give rise to
(Such thoughts can bring)
(peace and harmony to this world)
So, no matter if the disasters facing us are natural or manmade, if people don’t know to give rise to loving-kindness, that is what worries me the most.
However, seeing how our staff at the cultural center.
(are even more united and committed to)
(our mission of promoting goodness in the world,)
I truly feel there is hope.
It takes people to spread the Dharma---
But who has the capacity to do this?
Those working in media and communications.
It is you who work in media and communications who have the power th make right values widespread.
But, our work must also be of good quality.
Of course, our work is able to spread right values.
(because you report on Tzu Chi members’ deeds)
So, it is thanks to them.
Ever since Tzu Chi began 43 years ago and continuing to the present their direction has never wavered and they’ve walked the path diligently always moving forward.
They truly have left solid footprints every step of the way.
So, the work that you staff at the cultural center do is all centered around our Four Missions and Eight Footprints.
The work that our volunteers do is very touching and their deeds have become the source material for the work that you staff at our cultural center do.
As you share their deeds which contain the Dharma. It is my hope that step by step.
We can present the Dharma to people in a way that is easy for them to understand so that people can come to accept these.
Dharma teachings and take them to heart.
This is truly very important.
We must report what is true and guide people onto the right path so it’s important that our direction is correct.
So, how are we to bring peace of mind to people and inspire goodness and love in people’s hearts so as to further tame people’s minds and guide them onto the right path in life?
That’s why I said that we have to be like birds flying against the wind and like fish that swim upstream.
Although this is truly hard work every one of us must work in joint effort towards the same goal (of inspiring love in people)