The Buddha says:
I never talk about anything
that does not concern people’s well-being,
that does not teach people how to be
free from suffering, mental impurities, and desire,
that does not teach peace, purity, wisdom,
enlightenment, and nirvana.
True religion is based on a righteous mind, which always gives one freedom. Superstition, on the other hand, leads to doubt and fear. If you rely on idols and fortune-telling, you will never really understand the meaning of Buddhism.
True Buddhist teachings never talk about divination or supernatural powers. The Buddha is only in your heart.
How can we make our society more harmonious and peaceful?
Dharma Master Cheng Yen: “The only way is to purify people’s minds and nurture the innate love in their hearts. To purify the mind, we must start with education. No matter what today’s society is like, so long as we do a good job with education, there will be hope for tomorrow’s society.”
Translated by E. E. Ho and W. L. Rathje; drawings by Tsai Chih-chung; coloring by May E. Gu
