The Power of the Heart

I will like to share with you a good news. Many of you have been wishing for an English book about Master's teaching, written in English for the English readers. Finally, here it is.


Of those who have been in Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s presence to hear her talks live, many have remarked on how it feels as if she is looking straight into their hearts and speaking personally to them. Her words strike a deep chord and seem to exactly fit their situation, they say. Perhaps this is because in teaching, the Master wishes to share the Buddha’s wisdom in a way that can benefit people in real life. The Master often tells us that what the Buddha taught is very practical and relevant to everyday life in this world. With her deep compassion, the Master wishes not to convert people to certain beliefs but to help them to better understand life and bring forth the inner wisdom and love in their hearts. Doing this can profoundly change them and their lives. In giving teachings, the Master guides people to see the real truths and principles in life, and these are universal to all human beings no matter what country they are from, what religion they practice, and what language they speak.

This book is compiled by the Jing Si Abode English Editorial Team, which is composed of religious disciples of Dharma Master Cheng Yen who reside at her monastery, the Jing Si Abode. The team compiles the Master’s teachings into English, using the logic and structure of the English language, in hopes that teachings presented in such a way can be more understandable to English readers and provide inspiration.

Coming out in June/July 2013, Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s teachings (sometimes spoken in Mandarin Chinese, sometimes in her native Taiwanese dialect) are directly compiled into English in this book, so that people who cannot understand Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese can also have the chance to be inspired by the Master’s wisdom and derive benefit from it. Master’s spiritual teachings are compiled into relatively short English articles for reflection and contemplation. Please contact your local Jing Si Bookstore & Cafe for this book's availability. Happy Reading!!

The collection is an eclectic one, based on talks to different audiences and from different sources. While they are loosely grouped into separate topics, each occupying one part of the book, the articles may stand on their own.

•Part I offers basic teachings on Buddhism, which can serve as a foundation for understanding the Master’s wider teachings.

•Part II is about cultivation, or ways we can put the teachings into practice to become a better person.

•Part III introduces Tzu Chi, its spirit, and how Tzu Chi volunteers learn to be bodhisattvas through Tzu Chi work.

•Part IV shares the practice of repentance in a series of articles which teach us to look inward to find solutions to the many problems that we see in our world and encounter in life.

The teachings have been compiled with care to reflect the Master's style of using simple, easy-to-understand language to help people to "understand the spiritual teachings, take them to heart, and be inspired to practice them in their daily lives"—for this is the Master's heartfelt wish.

For those who participate in Tzu Chi’s work especially, the Master’s teachings continually serve as a guide, offering direction and insight when they run into difficulties or become afflicted due to the challenges they face. This book is especially dedicated to the many non-Chinese-speaking Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide who seek to learn from the Master but who face a language barrier.

The Master’s words of wisdom are the life-force for Tzu Chi and a source of guiding light to anyone seeking to live in line with Truth.

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The Essence of Pure Wisdom

Within wood, there is fire,

yet this fire comes into being

only if the wood is kindled.

Within sand, there is gold,

yet this gold is found

only by washing the sand.

Within our hearts, there is pure wisdom,

yet we can touch this wisdom

only if we realize it is there

and draw it forth. 

Excerpt from Part I of the book.

Wholesome Friends

“Why does the string stink?” the Buddha asked.

“Perhaps it was once used to tie fish,” the disciple guessed, “and the bad smell came from the fish.”

“The fish is long gone,” the Buddha noted, “so why does this string still smell so bad?”

“It must have been used to tie the fish for long enough to absorb the smell,” the disciple offered.

The Buddha agreed, “The fish and the string were once together, but are now apart, yet the string still has the smell of the fish on it. You can think about this more.” 

Excerpt from Part II of the book.

The Self-challenges of a Bodhisattva

Learning to be a bodhisattva means nurturing the spirit of the Four Immeasurables: loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. This is the spirit of selfless love. It is something each and every one of us can be capable of, but to develop this spirit, we will need to cultivate ourselves. The first of the Four Immeasurables is loving-kindness, and when we make vows to serve as a bodhisattva to relieve suffering, we are doing so in the spirit of loving-kindness. Loving-kindness is the heart of working for the benefit and wellbeing of all living beings. With such a heart, we learn to reach out to total strangers and help them in their need. We learn to pray for the wellbeing of all people. We also learn to actively do good deeds. As we do this, our loving-kindness grows. 

Excerpt from Part III of the book.