The world of Tzu Chi April 2020 (Vol.121)

* The article is extracted from the book “Still Thoughts (Vol. 2)”. Q: A: Q: A: Master Cheng Yen, what is your opinion on life? Our lives are not worth mentioning. However, a person’s life of wisdom is truly valuable and can last forever. Also, it can be an example for our offspring to follow. How can I eliminate misfortune and increase my good fortune? It all depends on you. You must cultivate virtue in order to eliminate disaster. You can avoid confronting others by giving in a little. You can change a potential disaster into an incident of good fortune by showing a gentle, loving attitude. of us has a different role on the stage. Some play major roles, some minor roles. The major characters must continue to perform when the minor characters leave the stage. You have successfully played the different roles of wife, mother and good daughter-in-law. From now on, you have a new role to play – that of a Bodhisattva. You must improve your knowledge and become a good teacher and helpful friend to your students. Teach all you know to your students and to others, without holding back. Education is filled with great enjoyment and unselfish giving. A true educator will teach people how to obtain spiritual happiness. We’ll never enjoy a fulfilling life if we’re materially rich but spiritually poor. Promoting culture is aimed at purifying our hearts so that we can appreciate the significance of life and cherish our good fortune. People can then live happily and peacefully. That is why education is filled with great enjoyment. The education of people takes a hundred years to bear fruit. Be sure to devote your time and wisdom to your students and teach them all you know. That is what I call unselfish giving. The Buddha’s heart is filled with compassion, and a Bodhisattva’s heart is filled with great joy and the virtue of unselfish giving. What concerns a Bodhisattva most is the plight of suffering beings. You should do all you can to help others. The Heart Sutra says, ‘You shall not worry. When there’s no worry, there’s no fear. You shall then avoid confusion and delusion.’ Don’t worry too much. Life is like a drama with a Bodhisattva playing all sorts of roles on the stage. I hope that you can successfully and happily perform another role in a new play.” TZU CHI 121 53