Healthy and Wealthy

Jing Si Aphorisms

By Master Cheng Yen

While working, learn;

while learning, awaken

to the many truths of life.

002

Over time, we can

build great character,

achive great success,

and cultivate great virtue

004

Use wisdom to

contemplate

the meaning of life.

Use resolve to organize

the time you are given.

006

When walking,

as we step one foot forward,

we life the other foot up.

In the same way, we should

let go of yesterday

and focus on today.

008

The future is an illusion,

the past is a memory.

Hold on to the goodness that is

in our heart at this present moment

and take care to fulfill

the duties that we have at hand.

010

Transient though life may be,

one’s contributions will live on;

as love knows no boundaries,

its spirit will always remain.

012

A person with

a generous heart

and compassion

for all beings

leads the most blessed life.

014

To willingly

undergo hardship

for the sake of helping others

is compassion.

016

Those who have great wisdom

must all the more be humble and unassuming,

just like the rice stalk that bows

under the weight of rie grain.

018

Only those

who respect themselves

have the courage

to be humble

020

To be humble

is to shrink our ego

until we are small enough

to enter another’s eyes

and reside in

their heart and mind.

022

To regard ouself lightly

is prajna (wisdom).

To regard ourself highly

is attachment.

024

People who are

preoccupied

with past achievements

cannot humble themselves.

026

We start to slacken

the minute we find excuses

for ourself.

028

Toshoulder a burden

is an inspiring force.

To admit a mistake

is a noble virtue.

030

It is easy to reflect on

major mistakes,

and hard to eliminate

small bad habits.

032

Repentance

purifies the mind;

a pure mind

can readily

sweep away afflictions.

034

The hardest thing

for people to see

is themselves.

036

Nothing is impossible

with confidence,

perseverance,

and courage.

038

We must carry out our tasks

according to principles,

and not let our principles

be compromised by our tasks.

040

Abide by your principles in everything you do.

Never do things just to satisfy others.

For rather than satifisfying them,

you may get in over your heard.

042

Good actions require

everyone’s cooperation.

So let’s not cling to personal biases.

044

In handling matters,

let your mind

influence your heart.

In dealing with people,

let your heart

influence your mind.

046

The beauty of group

lies in the refinement

of its individuals.

048

A refined disposition

is naturally expressed

in the way a person

walks, lives, sits,

and sleeps.

050

Because seeing virtue in others

is in itself a virtue,

in appreciating others,

we in fact dignify ourselves