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Dharma Master Cheng Yen responds to questions and comments from visitors, volunteers, staff, and disciples.
Saving People’s Hearts is Most Urgent
Question: Every time I interview underprivileged families with urgent needs, I see that they are so frightened and helpless. How do I comfort them?
Answer: First, speak kind and loving words to warm their helpless, frightened hearts. Next, encourage them to cultivate faith in a religion so they have spiritual support. Then, they will be able to cope with the difficulties in front of them. Your work is not only to help them by giving them material things. It is more important to help them achieve a sense of relief. Saving people is urgent; saving people’s hearts is even more urgent.
An Attitude of Sincerity Conveys Love
Question: What does it mean to have the gentle and humble demeanor of a Bodhisattva?
Answer: When speaking to impoverished people, your tone must be soft and gentle, and your attitude humble and sincere. Their need is not only for material things; they need love even more. Love is expressed through demeanor, so you cannot be arrogant in your attitude; you have to be warm and genuine.
Generosity Comes Naturally
Question: How can we be generous toward others?
Answer: We say, “In this world, there is no one I do not love, no one I do not trust, and no one I cannot forgive.” If you all keep to these three principles, your mind will be healthy and develop properly, and then naturally you will be generous toward people, and you will love and trust them.
Excerpts from Still Thoughts: A Collection of Short Teachings and Jing Si Aphorisms, Volume 1, by Shih Cheng Yen
