Showing results by author "Shih Cheng Yen" in All Categories

The original Chinese edition of The Spirit of Great Love Volume Two was first published in 2003, during the SARS outbreak. Nearly two decades later, the English eBook edition was released in 2022, at a time when the world was still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Though years apart, both editions emerged during global crises, echoing each other in spirit and underscoring the book’s timeless message of compassion and wisdom. This volume features a curated selection of short stories—both classical and contemporary—organized into five themes: Rich vs. Poor, Desire and Faith, Wisdom...

Still Thoughts, Volume One comprises the distilled wisdom of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, presented in concise passages. These succinct aphorisms, found in the initial section of the book, are imbued with profound insights, inviting readers to introspect. Perfect for daily contemplation and practice, they offer brief yet impactful teachings to illuminate one's spiritual journey, whether one is new to or already familiar with Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s teachings. The second segment features inquiries from volunteers or visitors concerning common life situations. Dharma Master Cheng Yen ...

Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s teachings in the Three Ways to the Pure Land: The Three Essential Principles for Cultivating Pure Causes are based on the “three blessings from pure actions” described in the Amitayurdhyana Sutra (Sutra of Contemplation of the Buddha of Infinite Life). In the traditional interpretation, cultivating “pure causes” will allow us to be reborn in the Pure Land of Amita Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Life and Infinite Light. However, the way that Master Cheng Yen teaches about pure causes is different – her focus is on how we can work to establish a pure land...

Master Cheng Yen does not differentiate visitors by their social status or occupations. To Master, every person who visits, whether coming from near or far, is an honored guest and a friend who cares about Tzu Chi. These people come from many different fields of professions, including mass communication, religion, medicine, environmental protection, academia, politics, business, and so on. Among these myriad visitors, some are renowned. The purpose of this book is to pass on the wisdom gathered from these conversations between Master Cheng Yen and her visitors and to help readers understand...

Jing Si means to think in tranquility with an unperturbed and pure heart on the origin of life. Master Cheng Yen translates the essence of the Buddha's teachings into simple and easy- to- understand language to exemplify life lessons. Her exquisite words and caring thoughts inspire wisdom and provide direction amidst delusional thinking. In the world, there are natural disasters caused by the disequilibrium of the Four Elements (earth, water, fire, and air) as well as man-made conflicts caused by uncontrollable human desires. Actually, the disharmony in people's minds is even more dangerous...

The Sutra of Infinite Meanings is a very important Buddhist sutra. It can be seen as a turning point in the Buddha teachings, coming after He had already expounded the Dharma for over forty years. It is also an introduction to the Lotus Sutra. Therefore, Master Cheng Yen often stresses that the Sutra of Infinite Meanings contains the essence of the Lotus Sutra. The Sutra of Infinite Meanings is divided into three chapters – Virtues, Expounding the Dharma, and The Ten Merits. These Infinite Meanings arise from One Dharma; this One Dharma is of non-appearance. As living beings have ...

This inspiring and enlightening collection of 70 Buddhist stories told by Dharma Master Cheng Yen exemplifies how the karmic law of cause and effect plays out in people’s lives – unwholesome karma is created by deeply rooted negative habitual tendencies, eventually leading to undesirable consequences. By learning the Dharma, however, people will understand the truths of suffering and will come to realize the manifold blessings in their lives. They will be further inspired to tread the Bodhisattva Path and to practice the Six Paramitas. It is only by doing so that they can return to ...

For both Chinese and Western readers, The Essence of Filial Piety is a practical and inspiring book. Dharma Master Cheng Yen frequently makes filial piety a central theme of her teachings, such as in the stories in this book. While filial piety has been a valued virtue in Chinese culture, it is being forgotten in modern society. Seeing children who cause their parents to worry by living recklessly and adults who send their aged parents off to nursing homes and then ignore them, Master Cheng Yen emphasizes filial piety as a key virtue that needs to be valued again today, just as it was in ...

"What is karma?” “Which is more important: harmony or principles?” “How can we understand ourselves?” “How can we be understanding toward others?” “What is true spiritual cultivation?” Dharma Master Cheng Yen answers these and other questions from people seeking guidance in their spiritual journey.　 Infinite TEACHINGS, Infinite MEANINGS is a collection of questions and answers that are organized based on the key concepts in Chapter Two of the Sutra of Infinite Meanings ─ “Expounding the Dharma.” In this book, Dharma Master Cheng Yen wisely answers questions related...

The Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance is a well-known text in the Chinese Buddhist tradition. It was written by Tang Dynasty practitioner Master Wu-da after an encounter with the force of karmic retribution that manifested as a human-faced boil on his knee. Having personally experienced the inevitable results of karma, Master Wu-da wrote this text to caution future generations and make clear the necessity of repentance. Master Cheng Yen taught The Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance for five consecutive years in hopes that people would better understand the principles of repentance ...

In this era, natural disasters are becoming ever more frequent. As the greenhouse effect warms the earth, the situation is indeed worrisome. Only when hearts are purified can this ecological crisis be mitigated. Only when hearts are united and working as one can the suffering be saved. We must seize time, space, and interpersonal relationships to actively create blessings. In recent years, Dharma Master Cheng Yen has been worrying about erratic climate changes and various natural and manmade disasters. Master Cheng Yen suggests we should cherish our lives, this world, and our relationships ...

Even if a person lives a hundred years, he will die eventually. This is the natural cycle of life and death, which was determined before we were born. Nonetheless, when we face this final parting from life, how many of us can do so without sorrow? How many of us are able to thoroughly penetrate the truth of life and death and let go? In this book, Master Cheng Yen teaches us when faced with the lessons of living and dying, we must learn how to let go. Moreover, we must strive to truly make good use of each moment as we live. The most important thing we can do is to make full use of this ...

The Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance is a well-known text in the Chinese Buddhist tradition. It was written by Tang Dynasty practitioner Master Wu-da after an encounter with the force of karmic retribution that manifested as a human-faced boil on his knee. Having personally experienced the inevitable results of karma, Master Wu-da wrote this text to caution future generations and make clear the necessity of repentance. Master Cheng Yen taught The Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance for five years in hopes that people would better understand the principles of repentance practice and...

Since the publication of the first two volumes of Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s Still Thoughts in English (“Jing Si” in Chinese) in 1996, many people have been touched by her wise and compassionate words. Still Thoughts Volume I and II were followed by an additional volume called Jing Si Aphorisms Volume 3 in 2010, as well as several other aphorism collections in books and other formats. These Still Thoughts and Jing Si Aphorisms have been translated from the original Chinese into as many as eighteen languages, making their concise wisdom accessible to people the world over. On the ...

Master Cheng Yen told stories from the Buddha’s time and instances from daily life. This book includes three parts: In part one of this book, “The All-Pervasive Heart,” a young child deposits coins in a piggy bank every day in order to “help Grandmaster build the hospital.” In this child’s young heart, a window of love is opened, and as she grows up, the goodness in her heart will continue to grow. In part two of this book, “Self-Refinement,” there is a story from the Buddha’s time about an elder who asked the Buddha how to eliminate illness. The Buddha told him, “If ...

This is a book that showcases the love in our world through short stories about daily living or from Buddhist sutras. These stories about everyday people are like music notes that make up a symphony that reflects our modern times. We can also liken them to paintings that tell of undying love in this world. Through these stories, we go from understanding and caring about life, to celebrating and creating life.

“I am very impressed by Dharma Master Cheng Yen.”— Thich Nhat Hanh “Dharma Master Cheng Yen is a role model for us all.”—Dalai Lama The Thirty-Seven Principles of Enlightenment contains 7 parts: (1) The Four Right Efforts, (2) The Four Steps Towards Obtaining Supernatural Powers, (3) The Four Considerations, (4) The Five Roots, (5) The Five Strengths, (6) The Seven Factors of Wisdom, and (7) The Noble Eightfold Path. The Buddha reminded us to practice the Thirty-Seven Principles to Enlightenment, which tells us the way to live a wholesome life. We must have right views and ...

Personal experience led Dharma Master Wu-da to write the Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance so that others might understand the truth of reincarnation and the karmic law of cause and effect. Dharma as Water consists of three volumes. It is a compilation of five years of lectures taught by Master Cheng Yen. The first volume of the book is an introduction followed by an explanation of how to cultivate the Seven States of Mind that are used in repentance practice. The second volume covers the Obstruction of Afflictions. The third volume includes The Twofold White Dharma Of Repentance, ...

Let go, let go. It is in letting go that we receive. Give with a heart of joy and without any expectations. In doing so, everything will go our way. People living in the modern world are constantly busy and striving in their daily lives. Master Cheng Yen, with a deep understanding, uses her profound wisdom to offer insights and guidance through 55 articles. These articles address the crises and challenges faced by contemporary individuals, providing different perspectives and solutions. The topics include parent-child relationships, interpersonal dynamics, various concerns, and life and ...

This book features a selection of stories told by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, including tales from Buddhist scriptures, traditional moral tales, current events, and real-life encounters. Though simple on the surface, each story carries profound wisdom and compassion. Through these moving narratives, readers are invited to reflect on the Dharma in everyday life, connect with genuine human emotions, and find strength and clarity for their spiritual journey. Over the decades of Tzu Chi’s development, Master has consistently reminded Tzu Chi volunteers to never forget their initial aspiration ...