人間菩提--勤儉顧本致福慧
Practicing Diligence and Frugality to Cultivate Blessings and Wisdom
I’m truly grateful to the bone marrow donors who’ve come here today.
Altogether, there are over 400 of our bone marrow donors here today.
For many of you, your bone marrow has been sent to people in places far away from us.
I hear that some of the marrow recipients are people in Russia, Greece, as well as France.
All this is possible thanks to the advancements in medical technology.
Saving people’s lives is truly an act of great merit.
Did you know?
Back when we wanted to set up a bone marrow registry, we truly encountered many difficulties and endured much hardship.
Not only was it very costly to set up.
Not only was it very costly to set up such a large databank, most importantly we also had to deal with the public opinion.
We were under a lot of pressure.
(But, we still persevered on)
(because the most important thing) was saving lives and inspiring the altruistic love of people in Taiwan.
(Today, our registry)
(is able to provide a match for patients)
(from all parts of the world)
But, of course, if it weren’t for you donors and your courage and willingness o donate, even with a registry none of this would be possible---because while we can set up a registry by taking people’s blood samples which is just a technical procedure once a match is found with a registered donor if the donor isn’t willing to donate their marrow nothing can be done.
So, you donors are truly brave to donate your marrow to save others, and I’m truly very grateful to you.
You are truly saving people’s lives---by saving just one life, you are actually saving a family.
So, what you did is truly very precious.
I truly have to say “thank you” to you.
Likewise, I am also grateful to our Tzu Chi volunteers in 47 countries for working unite toward the common goal of relieving people’s suffering and bringing them love.
We hope that our society can be harmonious, and our world can have peace and that the world can be free of disasters as having a world free of disasters is a blessing for mankind while having peace and harmony in society is a blessing for the people.
Indeed, we are very blessed to be able to live in Taiwan.
We truly have very favorable weather and land conditions.
But what’s most important is that people work together.
Despite having favorable weather and land conditions, if people cannot live in harmony, it wouldn’t be possible for them to lead a happy life.
For instance, Israel and the Palestinian militant group that rules Gaza are in armed conflict again.
We can see that I is the civilians who have been affected and who’re in suffering.
So, living peacefully, in harmony, is the greatest blessing we can have
In society, besides charity work, medical services and education are also very important.
We saw the story of Mr. Liao in Keelung.
See, when he was young , he saw how his father respected and took care of his grandmother.
At a young age, the way his father was so filial to his grandmother left a deep impression on his mind.
So, he said to himself that he’d follow his father’s example when he grew up.
This bears testimony to what I often say about how parents serve as models for their children.
Some say that the problem of “problem students” lies in the teachers is it fair to say this?
No, it is not.
Actually, sometimes the problem is in the parents.
So, proper parenting is very important.
When parents hand their children to the teachers, parents should tell their children to respect their teachers and follow what they teach.
Nowadays, some parents overprotect their children.
When their children are punished by teachers at school, parents would go argue with the teacher.
(As a result, teachers are lax with the students) to avoid trouble
They get paid all the same, so they’d rather have less trouble. This is the current situation with our education.
So, to improve our education, the society, families, and schools all need to work together.
Only when everyone works together can harmony be achieved; only when there is harmony among people can the weather and land conditions be favorable.
Only in this way can blessings be brought to the society and the whole country.
But see how many disasters are occurring around the world.
This is the result of the Four Elements being unbalanced, thereby causing the climate conditions to be erratic.
Why are the Four Elements imbalanced and the climate conditions erratic?
They are a result of human behaviors.
Look at the effect of global warming.
Nowadays, aren’t we encouraging everyone to be frugal and to save electricity?
As I am standing here, in order to let you see me, they had to turn on so many lights.
But, in my own daily living, when I am in my study, I only use a very small desk lamp.
I try to conserve as much as possible be it when using water or electricity.
I’ve been living like this since I was young because I think being diligent and frugal is a fundamental value we need to have in life.
So, we should return to these fundamentals.
(In the past, people)
(didn’t borrow money to expand their business)
(They only did as much business)
(as they had the money for)
But nowadays, people draw up large plans for their business, and then they borrow money to expand their business.
That’s how the economy bubble is created.
We see today’s young people spending money without check.
(So,) we must return to the fundamental values of living frugally, especially in conserving energy so as to cut down carbon emissions.
How much resources does our planet have left?
As everyone keeps consuming the resources and industries keep polluting our environment the climate has become abnormal as carbon emissions from human activities have increased the greenhouse effect worldwide
I am sure everyone already knows.
(how this has led to global warming)and causes climate conditions to become erratic with drought hitting some areas so that crops cannot grow, while other places are hit by heavy rainfall that leads to devastating landslides.
It’s truly horrifying to see what is happening.
Everyone, Taiwan is a small island.
We should live in harmony with one another and be calm and peaceful at all times.
We must also be diligent and frugal.
Most importantly, we must give of our love to benefit others and thereby sow blessings.
We must also be sincerely pious and vigilant---
The year 2008 is coming to an end, and the new year will come soon.
Everyone, we must be grateful for each day in the past that, we’ve passed in peace and safety.
Let us welcome the new year with a heart filled with utmost piety and stay vigilant at all times.
May the new year be filled with peace, auspiciousness. Blessings, and wisdom.
In the new year, may everyone dedicate more of yourself to serving others.
Our Jing Si principles are about diligently following the way of Truth and the path of Tzu Chi is about going into the community---
We must go into the community to serve people in need.
Such is the way of living bodhisattvas.
May every one of you be someone (who can transform others’ lives for the better)
2009-02-01
971229人間菩提英文版 Hospitals as a Spiritual Cultivation Ground
人間菩提--最好修行的道場
Hospitals as a Spiritual Cultivation Ground
Time truly passes by very quickly.
This time last year, I was also standing here giving out these hong-baos which represent wisdom and blessings.
Do you know why these hong-baos represent wisdom and blessings?
They signify wisdom because the money for making the hong-baos comes from the royalties of my books and not from the Tzu Chin Foundation.
They come from the royalties of my books published by Jing Si Publications.
Every year, I do not spend a penny of the royalties from my books so that I can share them with every one of you at this time each year. So, (it represents wisdom as it comes from my books)
There are also seeds glued inside the hong-baos---they’re rice seeds.
With the utmost sincerity, I offer everyone my best wishes, and hope that our blessings can be multiplied just like the seeds, because one seed can produce innumerable seeds
These seeds were planted by our staff and medical personnel in our hospital in Dalin.
They went into the fields to plant the rice seedlings.
After harvesting the rice plants they put them out in the sun to dry and carefully selected the rice seeds one by one before carefully gluing them inside the hong-baos.
(Each seed contains their pure enlightened love)
This is their way to spread the seeds of goodness with their enlightened love.
The love and goodwill which they hold toward all is truly very deep.
The surplus rice that they harvested was packaged, and Superintendent Chien said it would be sold o raise funds for relief work.
With disasters being so widespread across the world, they felt that the burden which I shoulder must be very heavy, so they vacuum-packed the rice they harvested for sale with all proceeds going to charity.
I’m truly very grateful to them (for embracing Tzu Chi as their family)
(So, everyone knows my burdens and tries to)
(help share the load)
They’re very close to me in heart.
Our medical mission isn’t only about providing medical treatment---while carrying out our mission of Medicine, we also integrate our missions of Charity.
Education and Culture into our medical services.
See how our charity work takes place all over the world
Every day, from Taiwan, we can see the work.
Tzu Chi volunteers are doing worldwide.
See, be it in a wealthy country like the U.S., or Australia, other countries in Europe,
Southeast Asia, South America, etc disasters are occurring frequently.
So, Tzu Chi carries out charity work worldwide, and our volunteers have left footprints of love in over 60 countries.
This is the charity work we’ve been doing.
While carrying out charity work in these countries, Tzu Chi also provides medical care.
I’m sure everyone still remembers the cyclone which caused so much devastation in Myanmar this May.
Our doctors went there to hold free clinics---
Myanmar was so poor to begin with, and then to be struck by such a major disaster, they were truly in a very bad state.
We saw a mother who took her child to seek treatment at our clinic site, and, after receiving the treatment with her child in her arms, she knelt down in gratitude.
Seeing that, Supt. Chao also immediately squatted down to help her up.
Such an image portrays. Truth, goodness, and beauty---
The image that was captured in that instant was the most beautiful picture in the world.
What it captured was love---(a model of how a doctor should be)
Turning to the Philippines, there is a village called Dreamland.
After discovering that the villagers, lived next to a landfill, our volunteers began providing love and care, and our doctors also went there to hold free clinics.
Besides that, we also shared with the villagers that (although they were receiving aid form us,) they too could help others.
See, by saving a coin a day, they were able to fill up the coin banks that we gave them and in just 3 months, the coins they had saved were enough to fill up two whole pots to the brim.
Don’t I often share with you that tiny contributions when pooled together, can amount to a lot just like how grains of rice can fill a basket and drops of water can from a river?
For example, today, many of our nurses, doctors, and hospital staff presented their coin banks to me.
Greetings, Master.
Hello, everyone.
No one’s holding it down, right?
It’s very heavy, very heavy.
Thank you, thank you.
You all contributed, right?
Thank you.
We’ll continue the practice of saving a coin every day.
Master, please do not worry.
There were also small children there presenting me with coin banks.
These coin banks come from the love of many people which, when pooled together, can do a lot to help those in need.
All in all, small donations can amount to a lot.
If everyone could give a little, we could do a lot to help those in need.
Actually, apart from those countries, we’ve been continually caring for we’ve also been providing aid in Zimbabwe and Bolivia since 2007, and in November 2008, our volunteers also went to Haiti. (to survey the locals living conditions to see)
(what kind of aid we can provide. I often say that)
(when climate conditions are favorable, the people)
(should be able to work together)
(for the greater good)
If people or political parties in a country, are always going up against one another, by no means will the country grow prosperous.
See how Haiti’s plight is a result of internal conflict.
It’s truly very……
(We truly have to learn from others’ lessons)
As the saying goes “Harmony brings prosperity to a family”
Tzu Chi’s Four Missions are like the members of a family as we integrate our missions of Charity, Medicine, Education, and Culture into one.
So, I earnestly hope that you hospital staff can give of your love and work to carry out our missions of Charity and Medicine simultaneously by safeguarding people’s lives with love.
Every day, my heart is filled with gratitude as well as respect and love for you hospital staff
I love every member of our medical team for every one of you is dedicating yourself with great mindfulness and love.
Working in this big family of Tzu Chi, we should work more harmoniously with one another and treat each other with love
This is what I earnestly hope for I know it is truly hard work to carry out our mission of Medicine in the greater Taipei metropolitan area.
But Tzu Chi people consider hard work as blessings.
(since it gives us the opportunity to help others)
While serving others, we can learn a lot form it.
Practicing medicine is spiritual cultivation and we cultivate ourselves through serving others.
Bodhisattvas must practice the Six Paramitas---giving, moral discipline, tolerance & forbearance, diligence, Samadhi, and wisdom.
Did you notice that when I spoke of tolerance and forbearance, I stressed it in my tone.
Tolerance and forbearance is in the middle of the Six Paramitas.
Everyone, I know that the work you do is truly very hard work.
No matter how you are treated (by patients, etc.,) please know that this profession you’ve chosen is actually the best cultivation ground for us to cultivate ourselves spiritually as well as for us to cultivate blessings.
That is why I refer to you as the Saint in White, which is the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
How admirable you are
And doctors are the “Great Healers”
(It is truly a most noble profession) that draws everyone’s respect and love.
(What you do is not only a job) but also your vocation which you carry out with a sense of mission.
In a word, I’m truly very grateful.
Under the guidance of the superintendent and assistant superintendents works together with unity, harmony, love, and concerted efforts
I hope our hospital can become a model hospital in the greater Taipei metropolitan area.
This is our vision.
Hospitals as a Spiritual Cultivation Ground
Time truly passes by very quickly.
This time last year, I was also standing here giving out these hong-baos which represent wisdom and blessings.
Do you know why these hong-baos represent wisdom and blessings?
They signify wisdom because the money for making the hong-baos comes from the royalties of my books and not from the Tzu Chin Foundation.
They come from the royalties of my books published by Jing Si Publications.
Every year, I do not spend a penny of the royalties from my books so that I can share them with every one of you at this time each year. So, (it represents wisdom as it comes from my books)
There are also seeds glued inside the hong-baos---they’re rice seeds.
With the utmost sincerity, I offer everyone my best wishes, and hope that our blessings can be multiplied just like the seeds, because one seed can produce innumerable seeds
These seeds were planted by our staff and medical personnel in our hospital in Dalin.
They went into the fields to plant the rice seedlings.
After harvesting the rice plants they put them out in the sun to dry and carefully selected the rice seeds one by one before carefully gluing them inside the hong-baos.
(Each seed contains their pure enlightened love)
This is their way to spread the seeds of goodness with their enlightened love.
The love and goodwill which they hold toward all is truly very deep.
The surplus rice that they harvested was packaged, and Superintendent Chien said it would be sold o raise funds for relief work.
With disasters being so widespread across the world, they felt that the burden which I shoulder must be very heavy, so they vacuum-packed the rice they harvested for sale with all proceeds going to charity.
I’m truly very grateful to them (for embracing Tzu Chi as their family)
(So, everyone knows my burdens and tries to)
(help share the load)
They’re very close to me in heart.
Our medical mission isn’t only about providing medical treatment---while carrying out our mission of Medicine, we also integrate our missions of Charity.
Education and Culture into our medical services.
See how our charity work takes place all over the world
Every day, from Taiwan, we can see the work.
Tzu Chi volunteers are doing worldwide.
See, be it in a wealthy country like the U.S., or Australia, other countries in Europe,
Southeast Asia, South America, etc disasters are occurring frequently.
So, Tzu Chi carries out charity work worldwide, and our volunteers have left footprints of love in over 60 countries.
This is the charity work we’ve been doing.
While carrying out charity work in these countries, Tzu Chi also provides medical care.
I’m sure everyone still remembers the cyclone which caused so much devastation in Myanmar this May.
Our doctors went there to hold free clinics---
Myanmar was so poor to begin with, and then to be struck by such a major disaster, they were truly in a very bad state.
We saw a mother who took her child to seek treatment at our clinic site, and, after receiving the treatment with her child in her arms, she knelt down in gratitude.
Seeing that, Supt. Chao also immediately squatted down to help her up.
Such an image portrays. Truth, goodness, and beauty---
The image that was captured in that instant was the most beautiful picture in the world.
What it captured was love---(a model of how a doctor should be)
Turning to the Philippines, there is a village called Dreamland.
After discovering that the villagers, lived next to a landfill, our volunteers began providing love and care, and our doctors also went there to hold free clinics.
Besides that, we also shared with the villagers that (although they were receiving aid form us,) they too could help others.
See, by saving a coin a day, they were able to fill up the coin banks that we gave them and in just 3 months, the coins they had saved were enough to fill up two whole pots to the brim.
Don’t I often share with you that tiny contributions when pooled together, can amount to a lot just like how grains of rice can fill a basket and drops of water can from a river?
For example, today, many of our nurses, doctors, and hospital staff presented their coin banks to me.
Greetings, Master.
Hello, everyone.
No one’s holding it down, right?
It’s very heavy, very heavy.
Thank you, thank you.
You all contributed, right?
Thank you.
We’ll continue the practice of saving a coin every day.
Master, please do not worry.
There were also small children there presenting me with coin banks.
These coin banks come from the love of many people which, when pooled together, can do a lot to help those in need.
All in all, small donations can amount to a lot.
If everyone could give a little, we could do a lot to help those in need.
Actually, apart from those countries, we’ve been continually caring for we’ve also been providing aid in Zimbabwe and Bolivia since 2007, and in November 2008, our volunteers also went to Haiti. (to survey the locals living conditions to see)
(what kind of aid we can provide. I often say that)
(when climate conditions are favorable, the people)
(should be able to work together)
(for the greater good)
If people or political parties in a country, are always going up against one another, by no means will the country grow prosperous.
See how Haiti’s plight is a result of internal conflict.
It’s truly very……
(We truly have to learn from others’ lessons)
As the saying goes “Harmony brings prosperity to a family”
Tzu Chi’s Four Missions are like the members of a family as we integrate our missions of Charity, Medicine, Education, and Culture into one.
So, I earnestly hope that you hospital staff can give of your love and work to carry out our missions of Charity and Medicine simultaneously by safeguarding people’s lives with love.
Every day, my heart is filled with gratitude as well as respect and love for you hospital staff
I love every member of our medical team for every one of you is dedicating yourself with great mindfulness and love.
Working in this big family of Tzu Chi, we should work more harmoniously with one another and treat each other with love
This is what I earnestly hope for I know it is truly hard work to carry out our mission of Medicine in the greater Taipei metropolitan area.
But Tzu Chi people consider hard work as blessings.
(since it gives us the opportunity to help others)
While serving others, we can learn a lot form it.
Practicing medicine is spiritual cultivation and we cultivate ourselves through serving others.
Bodhisattvas must practice the Six Paramitas---giving, moral discipline, tolerance & forbearance, diligence, Samadhi, and wisdom.
Did you notice that when I spoke of tolerance and forbearance, I stressed it in my tone.
Tolerance and forbearance is in the middle of the Six Paramitas.
Everyone, I know that the work you do is truly very hard work.
No matter how you are treated (by patients, etc.,) please know that this profession you’ve chosen is actually the best cultivation ground for us to cultivate ourselves spiritually as well as for us to cultivate blessings.
That is why I refer to you as the Saint in White, which is the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
How admirable you are
And doctors are the “Great Healers”
(It is truly a most noble profession) that draws everyone’s respect and love.
(What you do is not only a job) but also your vocation which you carry out with a sense of mission.
In a word, I’m truly very grateful.
Under the guidance of the superintendent and assistant superintendents works together with unity, harmony, love, and concerted efforts
I hope our hospital can become a model hospital in the greater Taipei metropolitan area.
This is our vision.
971228人間菩提英文版 Welcoming in the New Year with a Frugal and Diligent Lifestyle
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.
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.
971227人間菩提英文版 Filling the Pages of Our Life with Good Deeds and Good Karma
人間菩提--厚實生命篇章
Filling the Pages of Our Life with Good Deeds and Good Karma
The Buddha has said that everyone is a buddha.
(are, at their true essence, the same)
But, hearing this, you’d say:
“But the Buddha is the Buddha, and I’m just me”
“The Buddha is so saintly and noble”
“I’m just an ordinary mundane being”
But in fact, the Buddha doesn’t see us as just a mundane being
He sees us as a buddha.
So, we ought to see ourselves as a buddha.
But we need to clearly recognize why it is that our circumstances always remain the same.
In truth, everyone’s circumstances are continually changing.
It’s not true they can’t be changed.
(It all comes down to)what karma we have created---
(if we’ve sown the seeds, then we’ll reap fruits)
If we can face everything that comes peacefully, then with each day the net amount of karma we have decreases. But if we (don’t accept our lot and we rant about it) and speak unwholesomely, act unwholesomely, or drink bad thoughts, then while suffering our karmic retribution, we create new bad karma.
So, when our karmic retribution comes to bear, we should accept it with a willing heart.
We must not be lax with ourselves, be self-indulgent or loosen our self-discipline.
This lifetime represents a fresh new book with clean pages and every day is a blank page upon which to write.
How should we write it?
What it written is all the things we have done.
All we do creates a karmic seed which is stored in our eighth consciousness.
So, we must truly think about how we want our blank page to be written for today.
We must think over it carefully.
Don’t let your mind run off on its own.
If we do that, then the day passes without any meaningful acts, and our page for today will just remain a blank page and that’s all.
Or, if we cannot tame our mind, then what we write into our book will be story after story of love, hate, strife, etc.
This is about our relationships with other people.
It all sows karmic seeds for the future.
Do you understand what I’m saying?
If you do good deeds, it’ll be written into this book.
Today, if we give people a bad attitude, it’s all written into our book.
(and forms) our habits and tendencies.
Our habits and tendencies in this life (were formed in past lives and we)continue to perpetuate the habit in this life.
The Buddha says that when our karma takes us into the cycle of rebirth, the cycle of rebirth, we cannot escape from it.
You often hear Buddhists talk about how to leave the cycle of rebirth or reincarnation.
Actually, the Buddha encouraged us (not to leave the cycle) but to return to the human world willingly, not because our karma takes us here but because we choose to come here.
For instance, I’ve come to Yilan County today. I planned this trip some time ago.
This trip was already planned out before.
My coming here today--- would b that be considered a good thing or a bad thing?
A good thing.
Therefore, you tell a lot of people to come.
After coming, how do you feel? Are you happy?
Happy.
Yes, for me, I’m doing a good thing and for you, you experience joy.
So, today, between us, we’ve formed good karmic ties or affinities.
They are ties of joy and positive ties and ties to good deeds (a wholesome tie)
So, in today’s page of your book, what’s written on it is joy.
For me, what’s written in my book is a good deed.
So, good deeds beget good karmic affinities and these ties carry across lifetimes.
These ties are written into your book, his book, and my book.
So, in our future lives, we will definitely be in each other’s lives.
This is for sure.
Now, we must quickly dedicate ourselves to (Tzu Chi’s Bodhisattva Path)
(and not lose our will to cultivate)
The Buddha has explained how karma works. If we accept our karmic retributions, then, (our store of bad karma will run out on its own) and the net store of bad karma decreases every day.
But, we must also create good karma every day.
(by doing good deeds)
The more we do, the greater our good karma.
Your being in Tzu Chi now.
(is something that was hard to come by)
At the very least, it required your perseverance as you underwent the entire training process.
Now that we’ve joined Tzu Chi, we should continue to carry out our aspiration.
We should not think:
“Since Master has certified me,”
“I’m a commissioner now”
“And I will always be a commissioner”
People might regard you as a commissioner
(but in terms of)
(the karmic seeds in your eighth consciousness,)
(you are only a commissioner if you’ve done)
(the work of a commissioner)
The two most important things in being a commissioner are forming good karmic affinities with others and then cultivating fields of blessings.
We need to cultivate the field of our mind and create blessings in it ourselves.
By forming good karmic affinities with others, we can inspire people.
So, every one, I hope that as a member of the Tzu Chi family--- a big family where the more people there are, the greater the blessings---we have to take up the responsibility of making our society better.
Although there is a global financial crisis going on right now with people losing their jobs and an economic downturn.
I believe if people in Taiwan can be more frugal and work diligently, this global financial crisis will quickly pass and the unemployment problem will ease up.
As long as people can calm and pacify their minds, and live their life with diligence and frugality.
Our society will prosper again.
What worries me most is, people not being able to rein in their minds.
Recently I often say that we should bless rather than curse ourselves by not going around saying that we’re poor.
(When we believe that we are blessed,)
(we are blessing ourselves)
In May of this year, a cyclone hit Myanmar, and an earthquake hit Sichuan, China.
The donations we received for these disasters were less than what past disasters received.
We’ve received much fewer donations this time even though we’ve also raised funds overseas.
This year, I’m very grateful to our volunteers in Canada and the U.S. for their dedication in raising funds because not as many people in Taiwan donated.
Not matter what we still need to help the people affected by the disaster.
We should always aspire to help people hit by disasters no matter where the disaster occur.
We should aspire to be a person who can help others.
Therefore, we must help people.
Only by helping others can we know about suffering and being blessed.
If we do not understand the truth of suffering, then we will not know how to create blessings and we won’t be able to walk the Tzu Chi path.
The reason I’m saying all this is because I want you to plant good seeds in your inner field.
We should also be a good farmer for the world and cultivate blessings in people’s field of mind.
And, don’t stop our spiritual cultivation.
If you stop cultivating yourself (you would have no spiritual growth)
So, in terms of our karma, we can choose to create blessings and good karma or create bad karma.
It’s all up to us.
Filling the Pages of Our Life with Good Deeds and Good Karma
The Buddha has said that everyone is a buddha.
(are, at their true essence, the same)
But, hearing this, you’d say:
“But the Buddha is the Buddha, and I’m just me”
“The Buddha is so saintly and noble”
“I’m just an ordinary mundane being”
But in fact, the Buddha doesn’t see us as just a mundane being
He sees us as a buddha.
So, we ought to see ourselves as a buddha.
But we need to clearly recognize why it is that our circumstances always remain the same.
In truth, everyone’s circumstances are continually changing.
It’s not true they can’t be changed.
(It all comes down to)what karma we have created---
(if we’ve sown the seeds, then we’ll reap fruits)
If we can face everything that comes peacefully, then with each day the net amount of karma we have decreases. But if we (don’t accept our lot and we rant about it) and speak unwholesomely, act unwholesomely, or drink bad thoughts, then while suffering our karmic retribution, we create new bad karma.
So, when our karmic retribution comes to bear, we should accept it with a willing heart.
We must not be lax with ourselves, be self-indulgent or loosen our self-discipline.
This lifetime represents a fresh new book with clean pages and every day is a blank page upon which to write.
How should we write it?
What it written is all the things we have done.
All we do creates a karmic seed which is stored in our eighth consciousness.
So, we must truly think about how we want our blank page to be written for today.
We must think over it carefully.
Don’t let your mind run off on its own.
If we do that, then the day passes without any meaningful acts, and our page for today will just remain a blank page and that’s all.
Or, if we cannot tame our mind, then what we write into our book will be story after story of love, hate, strife, etc.
This is about our relationships with other people.
It all sows karmic seeds for the future.
Do you understand what I’m saying?
If you do good deeds, it’ll be written into this book.
Today, if we give people a bad attitude, it’s all written into our book.
(and forms) our habits and tendencies.
Our habits and tendencies in this life (were formed in past lives and we)continue to perpetuate the habit in this life.
The Buddha says that when our karma takes us into the cycle of rebirth, the cycle of rebirth, we cannot escape from it.
You often hear Buddhists talk about how to leave the cycle of rebirth or reincarnation.
Actually, the Buddha encouraged us (not to leave the cycle) but to return to the human world willingly, not because our karma takes us here but because we choose to come here.
For instance, I’ve come to Yilan County today. I planned this trip some time ago.
This trip was already planned out before.
My coming here today--- would b that be considered a good thing or a bad thing?
A good thing.
Therefore, you tell a lot of people to come.
After coming, how do you feel? Are you happy?
Happy.
Yes, for me, I’m doing a good thing and for you, you experience joy.
So, today, between us, we’ve formed good karmic ties or affinities.
They are ties of joy and positive ties and ties to good deeds (a wholesome tie)
So, in today’s page of your book, what’s written on it is joy.
For me, what’s written in my book is a good deed.
So, good deeds beget good karmic affinities and these ties carry across lifetimes.
These ties are written into your book, his book, and my book.
So, in our future lives, we will definitely be in each other’s lives.
This is for sure.
Now, we must quickly dedicate ourselves to (Tzu Chi’s Bodhisattva Path)
(and not lose our will to cultivate)
The Buddha has explained how karma works. If we accept our karmic retributions, then, (our store of bad karma will run out on its own) and the net store of bad karma decreases every day.
But, we must also create good karma every day.
(by doing good deeds)
The more we do, the greater our good karma.
Your being in Tzu Chi now.
(is something that was hard to come by)
At the very least, it required your perseverance as you underwent the entire training process.
Now that we’ve joined Tzu Chi, we should continue to carry out our aspiration.
We should not think:
“Since Master has certified me,”
“I’m a commissioner now”
“And I will always be a commissioner”
People might regard you as a commissioner
(but in terms of)
(the karmic seeds in your eighth consciousness,)
(you are only a commissioner if you’ve done)
(the work of a commissioner)
The two most important things in being a commissioner are forming good karmic affinities with others and then cultivating fields of blessings.
We need to cultivate the field of our mind and create blessings in it ourselves.
By forming good karmic affinities with others, we can inspire people.
So, every one, I hope that as a member of the Tzu Chi family--- a big family where the more people there are, the greater the blessings---we have to take up the responsibility of making our society better.
Although there is a global financial crisis going on right now with people losing their jobs and an economic downturn.
I believe if people in Taiwan can be more frugal and work diligently, this global financial crisis will quickly pass and the unemployment problem will ease up.
As long as people can calm and pacify their minds, and live their life with diligence and frugality.
Our society will prosper again.
What worries me most is, people not being able to rein in their minds.
Recently I often say that we should bless rather than curse ourselves by not going around saying that we’re poor.
(When we believe that we are blessed,)
(we are blessing ourselves)
In May of this year, a cyclone hit Myanmar, and an earthquake hit Sichuan, China.
The donations we received for these disasters were less than what past disasters received.
We’ve received much fewer donations this time even though we’ve also raised funds overseas.
This year, I’m very grateful to our volunteers in Canada and the U.S. for their dedication in raising funds because not as many people in Taiwan donated.
Not matter what we still need to help the people affected by the disaster.
We should always aspire to help people hit by disasters no matter where the disaster occur.
We should aspire to be a person who can help others.
Therefore, we must help people.
Only by helping others can we know about suffering and being blessed.
If we do not understand the truth of suffering, then we will not know how to create blessings and we won’t be able to walk the Tzu Chi path.
The reason I’m saying all this is because I want you to plant good seeds in your inner field.
We should also be a good farmer for the world and cultivate blessings in people’s field of mind.
And, don’t stop our spiritual cultivation.
If you stop cultivating yourself (you would have no spiritual growth)
So, in terms of our karma, we can choose to create blessings and good karma or create bad karma.
It’s all up to us.
971226人間菩提英文版Gaining Insights into Truth through Walking the Bodhisattva Path
人間菩提--體現經藏大直道
Gaining Insights into Truth through Walking the Bodhisattva Path
Besides not working hard, my husband also had an affair.
So I was truly very depressed.
I thought to myself:
“I’ve been so dedicated to the business”
“and to looking after the family,”
“Why do misfortunes keep befalling me?”
When our factory went bankrupt,
(I lost all my houses)
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it.
The central reason why the Buddha came to the world was to leading living beings to attain the same enlightened understanding as a Buddha and have them rediscover their Buddha-nature which is the same as the Buddha’s.
The truth is very simple. The Buddha told us that the mind, the Buddha, and all living beings are in essence of the same quality.
(Living beings’ capacity for insight)
(is in fact the same as the Buddha’s)
and we all have the capability to see the Truth very clearly understand true principles and walk on the right path in life.
(But,) because living beings gave rise to one deluded thought, even though the right path in life is very straight and wide, we instead chose to take the twisted path so we end up losing our direction.
So, the Buddha had to come into the world to awaken people’s “inner eye” to the Truth.
We can no longer see clearly anymore.
So, when the Buddha came to this world, the first thing he set out to do was to open the eyes of living beings so that we can see the truth, and recognize the suffering, empty nature, and impermanence of life and realize that life inherently involves suffering.
So, I often remind everyone that suffering is a truth in life.
If we don’t see the suffering, it’d be the same as not awakening to the truth.
Our world is full of suffering.
If we could awaken to the truths of suffering, emptiness and impermanence,
What would we be attached to and fight over?
We’d realize there’s no need, and our heart will naturally become broad.
Our attachments are the reason that we give rise to greed and desire which cause us to do many wrong things and create a lot of negative karma.
When we open the door to our true mind, then we can truly penetrate the truth.
It is then that we will know what method to use to return to our Buddha-nature.
(and that is to ) understand suffering.
We need to truly see the suffering in the world.
(Only when our eyes are opened like this) can the Buddha begin to elucidate the truth to us so that we can understand clearly that we have become deluded, mundane beings because of the unwholesome habits we’ve acquired.
In a moment of delusion, we gave rise to desire which leads to many deluded, unwholesome habits.
In truth, all of us inherently have within us the pure enlightened nature of a Buddha.
But, delusions have tainted our mind, so that our original enlightened nature is buried under layers of delusions.
Therefore, we will have even more delusions and wrong thinking, leading us to become full of greed, craving, and desire.
Greed, hatred, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt all start to build up.
Having accumulated a lot of delusions, we will do a lot of wrong things thus creating a lot of negative karma.
So, from the Buddha, we come to understand that our original nature is in fact the same as that of the Buddha.
Comprehending this, we can see through our delusions and awaken to the truth that
all beings have the same nature as the Buddha and hence are all equal.
Only when we realize this can we truly rise above all disputes and differences and
eliminate all deluded states of mind, like greed.
When we can do that, we will naturally draw closer to our true nature, the Buddha-nature.
We always have this true enlightened nature.
It is never gone, but is always within us.
It has only been bound up by the ropes of delusion and ignorance.
So, our enlightened nature cannot get free.
Now that we realize this, we will be able to draw closer to our enlightened nature and draw closer to (the inner state of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas)
Only then can we let go of our various delusions and wrong thinking, such as greed.
So only by realizing truths can we eliminate our wrong thinking. Only after doing that
can we enter into the Buddha’s knowledge and have the same knowledge and understanding.
The Buddha understands that living beings’ suffering came from having accrued a lot of delusions, (leading to wrong actions)
(and negative karma). So, he can truly se the suffering there is in the world.
I often say that though we live in Taiwan, our scope of vision should encompass the world.
We should see the suffering there is in the world:
disaster, hunger, poverty……
There is so much suffering (It should wake us up)
(Our eyes should be opened)
Seeing the world with our eyes opened and knowing the suffering there is,
we should deeply realize life’s truths and develop more of the Buddha’s understanding and way of mind. (So, to do that,)
We need to go amongst living beings and walk on the Bodhisattva Path, a path that is very wide and straight.
In truth, it’s not difficult to (enter into the Buddha’s frame of mind)
and walk on the Bodhisattva Path. It’s not hard.
It’s actually very simple because this Bodhisattva Path is very straight and is a very broad and smooth path.
It is really a very safe path to take.
Such is the Bodhisattva Path.
Indeed, the Bodhisattva Path is easy to walk on, but many people cannot do it, and that’s because they haven’t taken the first step.
If we can start walking on the path, what difficulty is there? None whatsoever
If we can see things as they are, we can let go and dedicate ourselves to working for the good of humanity.
It’s just that simple.
So the truths the Buddha wanted to enlighten us to and comprehend for ourselves are as simple as that.
However, because living beings’ minds have become complicated due to our many predilections & habits.
So, the Buddha has to devote a lot of time to guide and educate us gradually.
That was truly very hard work.
(So, we should understand the Buddha’s heart)
When we chant the Buddha’s name, we should bring forth our Buddha-nature, and furthermore, we should go among the people. (to aid those in suffering)
So we should walk the Bodhisattva Path, and do as Bodhisattvas do so that we can truly go amongst people because only by doing so can we truly realize for ourselves.
(the truths that the Buddha tried to show us)
Gaining Insights into Truth through Walking the Bodhisattva Path
Besides not working hard, my husband also had an affair.
So I was truly very depressed.
I thought to myself:
“I’ve been so dedicated to the business”
“and to looking after the family,”
“Why do misfortunes keep befalling me?”
When our factory went bankrupt,
(I lost all my houses)
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it.
The central reason why the Buddha came to the world was to leading living beings to attain the same enlightened understanding as a Buddha and have them rediscover their Buddha-nature which is the same as the Buddha’s.
The truth is very simple. The Buddha told us that the mind, the Buddha, and all living beings are in essence of the same quality.
(Living beings’ capacity for insight)
(is in fact the same as the Buddha’s)
and we all have the capability to see the Truth very clearly understand true principles and walk on the right path in life.
(But,) because living beings gave rise to one deluded thought, even though the right path in life is very straight and wide, we instead chose to take the twisted path so we end up losing our direction.
So, the Buddha had to come into the world to awaken people’s “inner eye” to the Truth.
We can no longer see clearly anymore.
So, when the Buddha came to this world, the first thing he set out to do was to open the eyes of living beings so that we can see the truth, and recognize the suffering, empty nature, and impermanence of life and realize that life inherently involves suffering.
So, I often remind everyone that suffering is a truth in life.
If we don’t see the suffering, it’d be the same as not awakening to the truth.
Our world is full of suffering.
If we could awaken to the truths of suffering, emptiness and impermanence,
What would we be attached to and fight over?
We’d realize there’s no need, and our heart will naturally become broad.
Our attachments are the reason that we give rise to greed and desire which cause us to do many wrong things and create a lot of negative karma.
When we open the door to our true mind, then we can truly penetrate the truth.
It is then that we will know what method to use to return to our Buddha-nature.
(and that is to ) understand suffering.
We need to truly see the suffering in the world.
(Only when our eyes are opened like this) can the Buddha begin to elucidate the truth to us so that we can understand clearly that we have become deluded, mundane beings because of the unwholesome habits we’ve acquired.
In a moment of delusion, we gave rise to desire which leads to many deluded, unwholesome habits.
In truth, all of us inherently have within us the pure enlightened nature of a Buddha.
But, delusions have tainted our mind, so that our original enlightened nature is buried under layers of delusions.
Therefore, we will have even more delusions and wrong thinking, leading us to become full of greed, craving, and desire.
Greed, hatred, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt all start to build up.
Having accumulated a lot of delusions, we will do a lot of wrong things thus creating a lot of negative karma.
So, from the Buddha, we come to understand that our original nature is in fact the same as that of the Buddha.
Comprehending this, we can see through our delusions and awaken to the truth that
all beings have the same nature as the Buddha and hence are all equal.
Only when we realize this can we truly rise above all disputes and differences and
eliminate all deluded states of mind, like greed.
When we can do that, we will naturally draw closer to our true nature, the Buddha-nature.
We always have this true enlightened nature.
It is never gone, but is always within us.
It has only been bound up by the ropes of delusion and ignorance.
So, our enlightened nature cannot get free.
Now that we realize this, we will be able to draw closer to our enlightened nature and draw closer to (the inner state of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas)
Only then can we let go of our various delusions and wrong thinking, such as greed.
So only by realizing truths can we eliminate our wrong thinking. Only after doing that
can we enter into the Buddha’s knowledge and have the same knowledge and understanding.
The Buddha understands that living beings’ suffering came from having accrued a lot of delusions, (leading to wrong actions)
(and negative karma). So, he can truly se the suffering there is in the world.
I often say that though we live in Taiwan, our scope of vision should encompass the world.
We should see the suffering there is in the world:
disaster, hunger, poverty……
There is so much suffering (It should wake us up)
(Our eyes should be opened)
Seeing the world with our eyes opened and knowing the suffering there is,
we should deeply realize life’s truths and develop more of the Buddha’s understanding and way of mind. (So, to do that,)
We need to go amongst living beings and walk on the Bodhisattva Path, a path that is very wide and straight.
In truth, it’s not difficult to (enter into the Buddha’s frame of mind)
and walk on the Bodhisattva Path. It’s not hard.
It’s actually very simple because this Bodhisattva Path is very straight and is a very broad and smooth path.
It is really a very safe path to take.
Such is the Bodhisattva Path.
Indeed, the Bodhisattva Path is easy to walk on, but many people cannot do it, and that’s because they haven’t taken the first step.
If we can start walking on the path, what difficulty is there? None whatsoever
If we can see things as they are, we can let go and dedicate ourselves to working for the good of humanity.
It’s just that simple.
So the truths the Buddha wanted to enlighten us to and comprehend for ourselves are as simple as that.
However, because living beings’ minds have become complicated due to our many predilections & habits.
So, the Buddha has to devote a lot of time to guide and educate us gradually.
That was truly very hard work.
(So, we should understand the Buddha’s heart)
When we chant the Buddha’s name, we should bring forth our Buddha-nature, and furthermore, we should go among the people. (to aid those in suffering)
So we should walk the Bodhisattva Path, and do as Bodhisattvas do so that we can truly go amongst people because only by doing so can we truly realize for ourselves.
(the truths that the Buddha tried to show us)
971225人間菩提英文版Tzu Chi Volunteers Bringing Warmth to the Needy across Taiwan in Winter
人間菩提--心中有愛富有餘
Tzu Chi Volunteers Bringing Warmth to the Needy across Taiwan in Winter
Today is the third day of Tzu Chi’s humanitarian activities in Sichuan.
It is very cold there now, but on the first day, which included the groundbreaking for a school Tzu Chi will build and the first day of aid distributions something happened that the locals described as remarkable.
The locals said that winter in Sichuan is usually cloudy. A sunny day is rare.
But on that first day, (there was sun)
The day before our volunteers arrived, the skies were still cloudy and it was drizzling.
It was very wet and cold.
But, to everyone’s surprise, the next day---the day of the groundbreaking ceremony---the sun came out.
There were blue skies. white clouds. and bright sunshine.
So, everyone was smiling.
(They were already warmed because of) the warm winter clothing, blankets, and food supplies they received.
These brought people warmth for the winter as it’ll see them through the winter.
When the people saw the thick blanket & clothing, they were very happy
But to have the sun come out on top of that, (they truly felt enveloped in the warmth of love)
They were warmed both on the outside and inside.
Every day, our volunteers interact with the locals and from the footage.
We can see the elderly and the poor smiling.
Isn’t such a world a most beautiful one?
For the poor, in winter, the days are especially hard because of the bitter cold.
It’s especially so now because the weather is particularly freezing.
It is especially hard to endure.
We often speak of “winter distributions” because since olden times, come wintertime kindhearted people would reach out to (give to the less fortunate)
So, the term “winter distributions” has been in use since the olden times.
That is because winter is especially hard on the poor.
At this time of winter, the winter clothing, blankets, and the love we give them will let them be warmer.
Though we are in an economic downturn now, as long as we have love in our hearts.
(we can still give) because when we have love for others even in poor financial circumstances, we can still make small contributions and when pooled together, it can be used to help others. As long as we’re willing to give, we still have the means to make a difference.
Our winter aid work in Taiwan has also begun as our volunteers have started visiting our care recipients to help them prepare for winter.
Take a look at our volunteers in Lujou.
See, they went to visit the people they’ve been caring for such as some elderly who’d tell our volunteers that it’d be good enough if our volunteers just come to visit and keep them company.
Though they say they don’t need financial aid as they can get by, by living frugally, our volunteers still visit them each month to give them love and care.
For care recipients like these, when the wintertime comes we’d still give them warm blankets. clothes, and fix up their houses, etc.
With it already being winter, Tzu Chi volunteers have already begun taking action by giving out winter clothes and blankets.
If the bed is broken, they would give them a bed and help put on the bedding.
That is how Tzu Chi volunteers bring love and care to people’s homes.
We also provide aid to single-parent families, widows, and orphans.
There was a widow that our volunteers went to care for.
It was very heartwarming to see.
She is a single mother.
Her husband has already passed away but she is very strong Tzu Chi volunteers have been continually providing love and care to the family, (and in winter,)
They also gave them blankets and asked her (if she needs any help) such as with the kids’ school fees.
She replied that there are many people who are more in need of help than her.
So, if they can get by on their own, they’d try their best to stand on their own tow feet.
So, during wintertime, we’d still visit our care recipients at home such as the elderly, the ill, women, and children.
Be they people who receive our financial aid or just those we regularly visit and care for, at this time, we’d check on their basic needs:
Needs for clothing, food, and shelter.
It will soon be the middle of winter.
So, we need to give out the relief goods so that they have warm clothes to wear when the weather is cold.
We cannot wait until the distribution in January to distribute the goods.
We have to provide aid to them earlier.
For those lacking a bed, our volunteers would quickly give them one, and for those lacking a blanket or warm clothes, they would do the same.
There is also a group of students living in the mountain area.
Since the weather is getting cold, our volunteers in central Taiwan went to a school up in a mountain in Miaoli County to see whether the junior high students there had enough warm clothes to wear.
The children here are short of material resources.
So, in wintertime when it’s very cold, they often don’t wear enough clothes and they’d shiver all over with cold.
After learning that many of the students come from poor families our volunteers had cotton-padded coats especially made for them.
See, how bright and orderly they look. (in their new coats)
This is what Tzu Chi volunteers have been doing in Taiwan.
Some say that they only see Tzu Chi aiding people in other countries.
(and think we do little for the needy in Taiwan)
However, just a few days ago, I was informed by Tzu Chi Foundation’s social services staff that the number of families receiving monthly aid form Tzu Chi has increased by 45 percent this quarter.
So, everyone, we do help the needy here.
In Taiwan, be it in mountainous areas, in the city, in the countryside, in remote areas. or in small alleyways.
Tzu Chi volunteers can be found bringing aid to those in need.
(We just don’t especially report on it because) this is what we do day in, day out; just as we wouldn’t make a point to mention how many meals we’ve eaten as it’s something we do every day.
But actually, the charity work we do in Taiwan is even more thorough.
When a poor family’s house has a leak or has holes in its walls or needs cleaning (because the family)
(is not capable of doing I themselves), our volunteers would all reach out to help dedicating themselves wholeheartedly.
(This is all across Taiwan) and all throughout the year, not necessarily only during the winter.
But in the wintertime, they’d especially visit care recipients one by one to give out winter clothing and warm blankets as well as help people clean or fix their homes.
They do all this and they’re always doing this.
I’m truly grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers.
It’s a blessing that there are Tzu Chi volunteers.
May we know to cherish our blessings and pray sincerely for there to be no disasters in the world.
Tzu Chi Volunteers Bringing Warmth to the Needy across Taiwan in Winter
Today is the third day of Tzu Chi’s humanitarian activities in Sichuan.
It is very cold there now, but on the first day, which included the groundbreaking for a school Tzu Chi will build and the first day of aid distributions something happened that the locals described as remarkable.
The locals said that winter in Sichuan is usually cloudy. A sunny day is rare.
But on that first day, (there was sun)
The day before our volunteers arrived, the skies were still cloudy and it was drizzling.
It was very wet and cold.
But, to everyone’s surprise, the next day---the day of the groundbreaking ceremony---the sun came out.
There were blue skies. white clouds. and bright sunshine.
So, everyone was smiling.
(They were already warmed because of) the warm winter clothing, blankets, and food supplies they received.
These brought people warmth for the winter as it’ll see them through the winter.
When the people saw the thick blanket & clothing, they were very happy
But to have the sun come out on top of that, (they truly felt enveloped in the warmth of love)
They were warmed both on the outside and inside.
Every day, our volunteers interact with the locals and from the footage.
We can see the elderly and the poor smiling.
Isn’t such a world a most beautiful one?
For the poor, in winter, the days are especially hard because of the bitter cold.
It’s especially so now because the weather is particularly freezing.
It is especially hard to endure.
We often speak of “winter distributions” because since olden times, come wintertime kindhearted people would reach out to (give to the less fortunate)
So, the term “winter distributions” has been in use since the olden times.
That is because winter is especially hard on the poor.
At this time of winter, the winter clothing, blankets, and the love we give them will let them be warmer.
Though we are in an economic downturn now, as long as we have love in our hearts.
(we can still give) because when we have love for others even in poor financial circumstances, we can still make small contributions and when pooled together, it can be used to help others. As long as we’re willing to give, we still have the means to make a difference.
Our winter aid work in Taiwan has also begun as our volunteers have started visiting our care recipients to help them prepare for winter.
Take a look at our volunteers in Lujou.
See, they went to visit the people they’ve been caring for such as some elderly who’d tell our volunteers that it’d be good enough if our volunteers just come to visit and keep them company.
Though they say they don’t need financial aid as they can get by, by living frugally, our volunteers still visit them each month to give them love and care.
For care recipients like these, when the wintertime comes we’d still give them warm blankets. clothes, and fix up their houses, etc.
With it already being winter, Tzu Chi volunteers have already begun taking action by giving out winter clothes and blankets.
If the bed is broken, they would give them a bed and help put on the bedding.
That is how Tzu Chi volunteers bring love and care to people’s homes.
We also provide aid to single-parent families, widows, and orphans.
There was a widow that our volunteers went to care for.
It was very heartwarming to see.
She is a single mother.
Her husband has already passed away but she is very strong Tzu Chi volunteers have been continually providing love and care to the family, (and in winter,)
They also gave them blankets and asked her (if she needs any help) such as with the kids’ school fees.
She replied that there are many people who are more in need of help than her.
So, if they can get by on their own, they’d try their best to stand on their own tow feet.
So, during wintertime, we’d still visit our care recipients at home such as the elderly, the ill, women, and children.
Be they people who receive our financial aid or just those we regularly visit and care for, at this time, we’d check on their basic needs:
Needs for clothing, food, and shelter.
It will soon be the middle of winter.
So, we need to give out the relief goods so that they have warm clothes to wear when the weather is cold.
We cannot wait until the distribution in January to distribute the goods.
We have to provide aid to them earlier.
For those lacking a bed, our volunteers would quickly give them one, and for those lacking a blanket or warm clothes, they would do the same.
There is also a group of students living in the mountain area.
Since the weather is getting cold, our volunteers in central Taiwan went to a school up in a mountain in Miaoli County to see whether the junior high students there had enough warm clothes to wear.
The children here are short of material resources.
So, in wintertime when it’s very cold, they often don’t wear enough clothes and they’d shiver all over with cold.
After learning that many of the students come from poor families our volunteers had cotton-padded coats especially made for them.
See, how bright and orderly they look. (in their new coats)
This is what Tzu Chi volunteers have been doing in Taiwan.
Some say that they only see Tzu Chi aiding people in other countries.
(and think we do little for the needy in Taiwan)
However, just a few days ago, I was informed by Tzu Chi Foundation’s social services staff that the number of families receiving monthly aid form Tzu Chi has increased by 45 percent this quarter.
So, everyone, we do help the needy here.
In Taiwan, be it in mountainous areas, in the city, in the countryside, in remote areas. or in small alleyways.
Tzu Chi volunteers can be found bringing aid to those in need.
(We just don’t especially report on it because) this is what we do day in, day out; just as we wouldn’t make a point to mention how many meals we’ve eaten as it’s something we do every day.
But actually, the charity work we do in Taiwan is even more thorough.
When a poor family’s house has a leak or has holes in its walls or needs cleaning (because the family)
(is not capable of doing I themselves), our volunteers would all reach out to help dedicating themselves wholeheartedly.
(This is all across Taiwan) and all throughout the year, not necessarily only during the winter.
But in the wintertime, they’d especially visit care recipients one by one to give out winter clothing and warm blankets as well as help people clean or fix their homes.
They do all this and they’re always doing this.
I’m truly grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers.
It’s a blessing that there are Tzu Chi volunteers.
May we know to cherish our blessings and pray sincerely for there to be no disasters in the world.
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.
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.
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