Words From Dharma Master Cheng Yen—Cherishing Time, Fulfilling Our Purpose

Time slips by second by second, minute by minute; often, an entire day is gone before we even notice. A lifetime may seem long, but when we set aside the years of youth and the physical limitations of old age, the time we truly have to serve this world is far shorter than we imagine. Because every moment is so precious, we must cherish each day, diligently cultivating ourselves and sowing seeds of goodness.

The Buddha is an enlightened being, and he regards all living beings with the utmost respect, teaching that “the mind, the Buddha, and living beings—there is no difference among these three.” As his followers, shouldn’t we strive to realize the true value of our lives?

The Buddha gave us the Dharma, vital nourishment for the soul. Without his teachings, there would be no Tzu Chi today. Out of gratitude, our volunteers have been working in Lumbini, Nepal—the land of his birth—to honor him and uplift the needy there. The Tzu Chi campus there is now nearing completion, and local residents have also joined our ranks. I am deeply grateful to our volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia who have set aside their careers to devote themselves to this mission in Nepal and India. With patience and perseverance, they are helping fulfill my aspiration of giving back to the Buddha’s birthplace and other significant sites in his life journey. They are building genuine connections with local residents, giving with love as they guide and support them in acquiring practical skills, with the sincere hope of helping them rise out of poverty.

Though Tzu Chi was founded in Taiwan, its light now reaches across the globe. This would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of volunteers in Taiwan, whose work has allowed the world to see the true spirit of our mission in action. Now, as we mark six decades of service, we see that Tzu Chi could not have come this far without its roots at home, nor could it have reached so many people without the commitment of volunteers abroad. Our international recognition and support are the result of collective effort—something no single person, nor even a small group, could accomplish alone. Precisely because no one can do it alone, we must embrace gratitude for one another.

I hope everyone will take time to reflect and ask themselves: Has my time with Tzu Chi been truly meaningful? What have we done over the years, and how have we done it? I, too, reflect on my own path. For more than 60 years, I have spoken each day in my heart with my mentor, Dharma Master Yin Shun. I tell him that I have taken his instruction—“Work for Buddhism and for all living beings”—to heart and faithfully put it into practice. I am deeply grateful for this guidance, which has nurtured my wisdom-life. And so, I do everything in my power to live out his teachings and form good affinities with all beings.

As volunteers from around the world arrive in Taiwan one after another to celebrate our 60th anniversary, I remind them never to forget that Tzu Chi began with just “50 cents”—small savings from grocery money, pooled together to carry out charity work. Saving a small amount every day is something anyone can do, yet together these small contributions can support countless people in need across the world. Today, Tzu Chi has extended humanitarian aid to 139 countries and regions. I am profoundly grateful to all who have given so wholeheartedly, seeking nothing in return. This power of love belongs to everyone: One person takes the first step, others follow, and in this way our ranks have grown into a vast and steady procession. What matters most is to seize every moment and do what is right. Please be ever more mindful.