Principles of the Jing Si Dharma Lineage & Tzu Chi School of Buddhism

Context of the Teaching: At the year end blessing ceremony, Master Cheng Yen shared about how Tzu Chi began charity work with the fifty cents collected each day in bamboo banks. What once originated in Taiwan has now extended across the world, gathering a great power with every bit of contribution. How has this work been able to continue for such a long time? It is all thanks to the Buddha Dharma. The Dharma is everywhere, even in a speck of dust. Although the Dharma is invisible and intangible, we must constantly be permeated by it in order to attain wisdom.

The Sutra of Infinite Meanings states, “Having relieved beings from their suffering, bodhisattvas then expound the Dharma for them.” Tzu Chi provides relief to those who are suffering not only by giving them material things and helping them, but also by leading them on the Bodhisattva Path. All of this is “showing compassion to all, equally.” We use loving-kindness to save people, always serving with the concept of impartiality. This year, Tzu Chi is promoting the theme, “In cultivating blessings, one grain of rice stores the power of the world. In exercising wisdom, one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.” Everyone must put effort into being permeated by the Dharma.

The Buddha Dharma is invisible and intangible, as subtle as a speck of dust. But when we take the Dharma to heart, we give rise to infinite wisdom. By following the Dharma in our living, we can exercise its great potential to save people. Material things can be accumulated bit by bit to cultivate blessings. We must also earnestly listen to the Dharma, with the Dharma water nourishing our wisdom life. This is how “in exercising wisdom, one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.” A small invisible speck of dust holds the universe and the great principles within it.

“In cultivating blessings, one grain of rice stores the power of the world.” As Tzu Chi grew from nothing to something, from small to great, we do not underestimate a single grain of rice. “One grain of rice stores the power of the world.” Bit by bit, each grain accumulates into great love. Days and months have passed for over fifty years. As Tzu Chi spreads to countries throughout the world, wherever we have served, we can see the results.

This year, there was an earthquake in Tainan and strong typhoons in Taitung. Meanwhile, Syrian refugee children still need Tzu Chi volunteers to accompany them, and volunteers must also help nurture them so that they can have an opportunity to go to school. But now, these children are also already giving back. All of this is the power of love.

We must not underestimate small heartfelt efforts. A small amount of money can do great things. This is how, “In cultivating blessings, one grain of rice stores the power of the world.” At any moment, drops can accumulate into great strength that can help many people. “In exercising wisdom, one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.” There are many principles of biology that are inconceivable. Just like the Buddha’s teachings, they are intangible and without form. They cannot be seen or touched. Through descriptions and stories, everyone can understand them and take them to heart, implementing them in their everyday lives, and exercising the power of love among people. This is how “one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.”

This is can also like how a thick-trunked tree can grow from a very small seed. If we cut the seed open and continue to cut it smaller and smaller, eventually, we will not be able to see anything. Yet, if causes and conditions converge, this seed can flourish and grow into a very large, strong tree. It is the same principle.

“In cultivating blessings, one grain of rice stores the power of the world.” Tzu Chi started with the spirit of the bamboo banks, with donations accumulating bit by bit, starting with fifty cents, five dollars, ten dollars, and twenty dollars. This has continued to today, with some members now donating one hundred dollars a month. Whoever is willing to create blessings can do so by donating.

Creating blessings in this way, in Taiwan alone, Tzu Chi has been providing long-term assistance to more than ninety thousand households, providing food for people so that everyone can live in peace.

“One grain of rice stores the power of the world.” For fifty years, small efforts and donations have accumulated. Those children who received our help financially have now grown up, and many of them are very successful. There are now new care recipients, and Tzu Chi continues to help them.

“In exercising wisdom, one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.” To do this, we must listen to the Dharma; and by hearing the Dharma, we attain wisdom. How are we able to persist for so long? Because Tzu Chi is a religious organization that carries out the Buddha’s teachings. We must apply the Buddha Dharma in our daily living and cultivate love in our hearts to pave the path in life so that we can continue to walk on it.

“In cultivating blessings, one grain of rice stores the power of the world. In exercising wisdom, one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.” Over fifty years ago, starting with fifty cents a day and the spirit of the bamboo banks, Tzu Chi began its charity work. From a small organization to a large one, we started in Taiwan and spread throughout the world. This year, Tzu Chi volunteers from twenty-eight countries returned to be certified. We can say that our work has extended to the whole world. All of this is the power of love, so we cannot underestimate the strength that is accumulated bit by bit.

“In exercising wisdom, one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.” Any tiny speck contains the principles of the universe, which is the Dharma. The Dharma is invisible and intangible, yet we must be permeated with the Dharma in order to be able to attain wisdom. With the Dharma, we are able to inspire a loving heart, which gives us the altruistic potential to save people. So, “In exercising wisdom, one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.”

“One grain of rice stores the power of the world, great love protects the mountains and rivers, and the compassionate practice of good deeds brings abundant blessings; using wisdom in all matters helps us pass down merits in the family.” The concept of love will be passed down from generation to generation. This is great love. When great love accumulates, it is able to protect the mountains, rivers, and the land.

“In cultivating blessings, one grain of rice stores the power of the world. In exercising wisdom, one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.” Cultivating blessings comes from the grains of rice that are gathered. “Many grains of rice make a bushel; many drops make a river.” Over days and months, small donations of love converged to become a large organization. Wherever there are disasters, that is where we go to serve. A bodhisattva organization is able to spread throughout the world by upholding the power of religion. It is the Buddha Dharma that gives us wisdom. This wisdom is how “one speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.”

“In cultivating blessings, one grain of rice stores the power of the world.” We must not underestimate a small grain of rice. Since ancient times, relief aid has always been about providing food and warmth, and we need rice to do so. This was how it was fifty years ago, and it is still like this today. All our donations are accumulated bit by bit. When there are many people, there is great strength. With this strength, we are able to provide relief to the poor who are suffering, cold, hungry, and in need. Thus, we say that “one grain of rice stores the power of the world.”

Small drops of water and grains of rice must all be accumulated, with everyone converging together. With countless periods of fifty years working in this way, we can continue on infinitely. So, this is the idea that “one grain of rice stores the power of the world.” And what about wisdom? We must put our wisdom into practice. “One speck of dust contains the principles of the universe.” This means that we cannot fully discuss or explain the Buddha’s wisdom in the universe, and although the principles cannot be seen or touched, they are there.