[Master's Teachings] When she visited Dharma Master Cheng Yen, a former government official from Singapore expressed how touched she was by some of Tzu Chi's ways of doing charity. She gave the example of how people often make donations through the ATM or automatic money transfers, as they find this convenient, but she sees the way Tzu Chi's commissioners go out of their way to collect donations in person from the donor. She finds this a unique and touching practice.
The Master's response:
"To me, what is most important is the human contact and interactions of love and caring. Through these kinds of interactions, the donors encounter good, kind people of integrity. Being with such people helps the donors to open their hearts and have greater faith and trust in people. Also, by going to collect the donations personally, we have the chance to give people encouragement—no matter how small their donation might be, we help them see that they are in fact helping to make a difference in other people's lives. It's through everyone coming together and joining forces that good deeds can be done. So, every single person is significant; every person's giving is important. What our society really needs is for everyone in the society to do good together. It's our heartfelt hope that people throughout society can have the spirit of helping others and can treat one another with love and care. This is Tzu Chi's vision."
Written by the Jing Si Abode English Editorial Team
Based on Dharma Master Cheng Yen's talks and conversations with visitors
