Guru's Talk

Translated and Edited by True Buddha Foundation Translation Team

In reminiscing about my time in Seattle, when I first immigrated to America, I discovered something when I was with the caucasian locals--America is indeed "a great melting pot" where you find people of all countries converging.

There is no denying the fact, however, that the earlier immigrants had a harder life, having experienced the Revolution, the Civil War, the Opening of the Old West, the conflicts between the Native Americans and the early English settlers, the Post-War Rebuilding Era, and so on.

The earlier immigrants would say to the new immigrants:

"When we were going through rebuilding, where were you?"

"When we were at war, where were you?"

"The forefathers planted the trees. The descendants get to enjoy the cool of the shade!"

"The reason you choose to immigrate at this time is to enjoy the prosperity of freedom and democracy!"

When we heard these words, we could say nothing.

Besides propagating the Buddhadharma, I had started the Lotus Light Charity Society which was intended to serve the communities in the U.S. and Canada. Subsequently, the project was expanded to other parts of the world. The headquarters of the Lotus Light Charity Society is headed by Master Lian Tzi [in Vancouver], who is known for her great talents. She is also responsible for the running of the True Buddha News.

I would like to quote an example:

I have a disciple by the name of Xie Mingfang, who is the president of the [Refugee Federation Service Center in Seattle, an organization established to provide social services to local refugees from the Southeast Asian countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, and later extended to refugees from East Africa and Eastern Europe.]

I told him, "Just tell me what I can do for those who are poor, for those who are ill, for those who need help with construction in the community, for those who are desperately trapped in suffering. I will do my best to help you as much as I am able."

And I said this to him not once, but every time we met.

And not only has financial and other help been provided by the Lotus Light Charity Society, but I have also personally helped out with my own money and effort.

We are willing to do anything to help sentient beings. This is practicing one of the Six Perfections taught in Buddhism, the Perfection of Generosity.

We must help those who suffer in accidents, to offer immediate relief to them.

We must help the poor to receive education, to help the less educated and less capable to support themselves.

We must help with the construction of homes to offer shelter to those in need.

We must donate clothes to those who shiver without clothing.

We must offer rice and food to those who are hungry.

We must print sutras and propagate the Buddhadharma, and provide salvation for the souls of sentient beings.

And....

We are involved with these works, and we are all trying our best, doing these works quietly, without fanfare.

Those who give are blessed.

Those who are compassionate will gradually eliminate their [negative] karma.

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