Entrepreneurs are very busy. Thus, it is remarkable that they can  set aside their precious time to participate in the Tzu Chi Global  Entrepreneur Retreat to learn about Tzu Chi. 

In business, we must mindfully plan our endeavors in order to succeed.  By extension, when we plan things properly, we can create blessings  for society. However, if there is even a slight deviation, we may end  up only benefiting ourselves, not others. When small deviations  accumulate over time, they become harmful to society. 

The Chinese character for “people” (人) is actually very simple in its  form. I often use my two fingers to demonstrate: from my perspective,  it looks like the character “person” (人), but from the other perspective  of others, it looks like the character “enter” (入). When the two fingers  separate a little more, it becomes the character “eight” (八). Though it  is the same two fingers, the principles and stories they represent can  be very different. 

In a similar way, I often say, “Please be more mindful!” Although I say  this repeatedly, can people truly take the meaning to heart? Yet while  I am speaking, I think, “If I do not say this part, it will not convey my  meaning.” And after saying this part, sometimes, I think of an even  more important part. 

In the sutras, the Buddha’s teachings all begin with the phrase, “Thus  have I heard.” This expresses the idea that what is in the sutras was  what was heard over 2,500 years ago from what the Buddha taught. 

The Buddha was born in this world for a single purpose—to teach  the Bodhisattva Path. Everyone can attain Buddhahood, but before  becoming a Buddha, we must walk the Bodhisattva Path and put the  teachings into practice. Without this practice, we will remain far from  the path to Buddhahood. No matter how much time we spend teaching  what the Buddha taught, we would never be able to finish. How can we  respond appropriately to people’s capabilities? Truly good teachings  must be pleasant to hear, worth hearing, and useful. 

As long as we take the Bodhisattva Path step by step, we will eventually  arrive at our destination. If we are not focused, even after more than  2,500 years of walking, we will still remain far from Buddhahood.  Everyone here has abundant knowledge and experience in society. At  this time, you have set aside your pride to gather your hearts in one  place. What you are hearing are genuine teachings. 

Many people do not know the spirit of the Buddha. They think  that Buddhism is just about praying and seeking blessings. This is  completely wrong. Buddhism is not about seeking blessings, but  about seeking the Dharma. It is like earning a doctorate degree in the  secular world—studying diligently to obtain a doctoral certificate and  degree. Actually, I have not studied much. I have not received even  half a diploma, yet I have doctorates—several of them, including not  only several certificates, but also several doctoral robes. This is not the  achievement of one person, but is due to the support, affirmation, and  contributions of everyone. When these honorary titles are bestowed  upon me, I feel unworthy of receiving them. 

I hope that everyone will affirm Tzu Chi and truly understand Tzu Chi  deeply. The work of Tzu Chi is not the work of one person; people come  together to do the work of Tzu Chi. When people work together they  can create the world of Tzu Chi. I can transform people, and you can  also transform people. When the Dharma comes from your mouth and  good deeds are expressed through your actions, others hear it and can  also put it into practice. 

Just like you and I, other people can not only put the Dharma into action  but also teach it—they can teach about what you do and teach about  what I do. In this way, the Dharma can be transmitted continuously.  Everyone can put it into action; everyone can teach it. In this way, we  can bring purity to people’s hearts, bring harmony to society, and bring  about a Pure Land on Earth. 

Many people recite “Amitabha Buddha,” believing His land to be the  Pure Land. But that Pure Land requires everyone to create it together.  In spiritual practice, we cannot lack virtuous roots, and we must do  more than just a little bit of good to create a pure land. 

All things come to be through accumulation over time. Therefore, we  must give of ourselves in terms of labor, matters, and objects without  seeking anything in return. We should regard giving as a fundamental  duty and not seek rewards. When we help others, rather than saying,  “I saved this person; I helped this person,” we should praise them,  “They are very resilient. With just a gentle pull to help them up, they  stood firmly and were willing to step forward.” In this way, we should  praise each other. 

People need to engage with the Dharma. After engaging in it, we then  need to apply it. In the past, you did not know me, and I did not know  you. Now that our affinities have ripened, since you have come to Tzu  Chi, you have heard about and witnessed Tzu Chi’s development step  by step. But how can you attain “true knowledge”? Just hearing is  not enough; just seeing is not enough. You must enter into it yourself.  When you sincerely engage in it and gain realizations, only then can  you truly achieve things. When your feet have stepped in it, when your  hands have touched it, then the true teachings you hear can be shared  with others. This is true contact, true spreading of the Dharma. 

I often say, “The more you do, the more you attain. What you do, you  attain. If you do not do anything, you will not attain anything.” When  you hear and see others’ hardships and contribute your efforts to help,  though your body may be tired, your mind will be light and at ease.  What you do, you will receive. When you do good, those actions will  become blessings. When you see suffering but do not act, it becomes a  loss. To create blessings for humanity, we need many people to engage. 

It is not a matter of having one less person; we would lack all the  blessings the person can create. It is only by engaging that one can  increase one’s blessings and also increase our collective strength.