Healthy and Wealthy

Jing Si Aphorisms

By Master Cheng Yen

052

Material objects were meant to be

tools for us to use.

Yet, lacking wisdom,

we are perpetually discontent,

and we thus become

enslaved by material objects.

054

How bitter life is

when we have desires!

Our demands on others

bring endless misery.

056

If we can

reduce our disires,

there is nothing

really worth

getting upset abaout.

058

One who is content

is immensely broadhearted.

A broadhearted person

will not be

in dispute with others

over any matter.

060

Know your blessings,

cherish them and sow more blessings.

062

The ocean can be filled,

yet the tiny mouth

of a human being

can never be filled.

064

The first step on the path of Buddhism

is to lessen our desires and be satisfied with

what we have.

Then our minds will relex and we will begin

to gain wisdom.

066

When we treat others

with loving-kindness,

we will not stir up ill feeling,

and we will be able to

form good relationships with others.

068

Bodhisattvas are not

idols made of wood;

real Bodhisattvas are people

who eat, talk, work

and relieve suffering

in times of need.

070

Everyone has

a Buddha nature,

and a Bodhisattva’s

strength and spirit.

072

Dharma is very simple;

eliminate greed, malice,

and ignorance,

and you will discover

your own true nature.

074

Be faithful and honest

from deep inside,

this is the essence

of spiritual cultivation.

076

There is no need to learn

many techings.

If we can put one simple

verse into practice,

we can awaken

our true nature of goodness.

078

Every single day

is like a blank page of our life.

Every person we meet,

every event we participate

in is a lively essay.

080

The behavior of a person

during his lifetime,

be it good or evil,

is accumulated over time.

082

Doing nothing

and idling time away

consumes life.

Giving to others

with total dedication

creates life.

084

If we don’t do something meaningful,

our life will pass by in vain.

But if we work unceasingly

for the betterment of mankind,

ours will be a beautiful life.

086

Be careful and mindful

when dealing with others,

but do not be

narrow-minded.

088

To have two good hands

and refuse to work

is no different than

having no hands at all.

090

Do not think too highly

of yourself,

and yet,

never underestimate

your ability.

092

To live in peace, we must have inner peace.

To have inner peace, we

must have a clear conscience.

When our conscience is

clear and our mind at peace,

we bring peace and bliss

to those around us.

094

Continue even when it is hard to go on,

release even when it is hard to let go,

endure even when it is hard to bear,

this is how we build our character.

096

Speak kind words,

think good thoughts,

do good deeds,

and walk the right path.

098

When you view the world

from a different perspective,

the world becomes vast and wide.

Try shifting your perspective

in everything you do,

and all will be light and easy.

100

Be honest and truthful

in everything you do.

Be gentle and forgiving

in your relationships

with others.