"Life is rarely perfect. Those who struggle financially face hardship, while even the wealthy have their share of worries. But being part of Tzu Chi gives us the opportunity to help those in need. When we witness the suffering of others, we're reminded of how blessed we are. Sure, we might not have everything we want, but we have more than enough. When we embrace contentment, happiness naturally follows. By staying grateful and giving selflessly, we can build better relationships and inspire others to walk the path of goodness, creating a better world for all."

「雖然人間難免有缺陷，富有的人心有煩惱，窮困的人生活很艱難，而我們有因緣走入慈濟，去幫助苦難人，見苦知福，比上不足、比下有餘，知足心常樂；知足、感恩，樂於付出，就能與人和氣互動，帶動人人行菩薩道，讓人間祥和有愛。」

Venerable Master Cheng Yen reminds us that blessings aren't something you can wish or ask for—they come from action. Just like eating: no one else can eat for you. To create blessings, you have to take action yourself. If you only watch others make an effort but don't get involved, you won't experience the rewards. That's why it's important to act and to give without expecting anything in return. If you're constantly focused on what you'll gain, you'll never feel satisfied. Instead, when you let go of expectations and put your heart into helping others, you'll discover joy in the moment. Along the way, you'll build meaningful connections with like-minded people, which is a priceless reward in itself.

證嚴上人說，福不是求來的，就如各人吃飯各人飽，要靠自己造福才能得福；只看別人做事，自己不投入，就沒有心得，所以一定要做，而且付出無所求，否則掛礙著自己做多少能得多少，有所求就永遠不滿足。反而是無所求，放下執著專心去做，會做得很歡喜，當下就得到歡喜心、得到好友誼，和自己一起做好事的都是好人，這就是最實在的收穫。

"Living with the guidance of the Buddha's teachings is like walking on a clear and steady path. It helps us avoid confusion and stay grounded. Without this clarity, it's easy to get lost in materialism or let desires lead us astray. Some people misuse their wealth and unknowingly create problems for themselves. Spending money isn't wrong, but how we spend it matters."

「走在佛法開闢的道路上，也就是菩薩的軌道上，人生不會走錯路，而且是覺有情，這分覺悟讓我們清清楚楚、明明白白；假如還是迷迷糊糊，就會迷失，有的人迷失在金錢、物欲當中，有錢亂花，不懂得如何使用，反而多造業。賺了錢要花，而且要花得對；

"We often hear about how valuable diamonds are, but the truth is, everyone carries an 'inner diamond'—something beautiful, strong, and deeply valuable. Unlike material possessions, this inner treasure never fades. Over time, we've planted seeds of goodness and wisdom in our hearts. Now, it's up to us to nurture them through consistent effort. With focus and determination, we can reconnect with our true, enlightened selves."

都說鑽石很有價值，其實人人心中都有一顆『鑽石花』，又美又堅硬，又很有價值，而且生生世世不會磨滅。我們已經在八識田中種下福慧種子，要把意識照顧好，還要勤精進，直到回歸佛的本性。」

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摘錄自慈濟月刊698期
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