Many Tzu Chi followers have benefited from Master Cheng Yen's sayings. They have written about what they have gained from practicing the Master's precepts in essays which have been collected and published in a pamphlet under the general title of Inspiring Aphorisms: The Phrase That Benefits Me Most. Following are some of the essays, translated into English by Chen Ping.

A Perfect Character Leads to the Buddha-Nature
By Peng Mei-chao

Prior to joining Tzu Chi, I yearned to learn about Buddhism. I listened to sermons and participated in pilgrimages and other events. I thought that this was what Buddhism was all about.

When I entered Tzu Chi, I could not fully recognize its value at first. The reason was that Master Cheng Yen did not come out to preach in order to enlighten the public, but instead she focused on relief work. Her way was far from my idea of Buddhism. The Buddhist doctrines are awe-inspiring and there are many ways to learn, but I thought Tzu Chi was only doing a limited kind of charity relief work. Maybe I did not know Tzu Chi so well, and now I feel awful about this misunderstanding.

Later I had a chance to browse through the Tzu Chi Monthly magazine and the Companion newspaper. I noticed a sentence, "A perfect character leads to the buddha-nature." What a meaningful sentence! The Master has been trying to awaken everyone's nature and uncover everyone's "treasure"* the buddha-nature. The Master also said that we should look for the Buddhist teachings among people, not in sermons and ceremonies. Instead of just talking about Buddhism, we should practice it. Lingering in the past is distraction, speculating about the future is delusion, and seizing upon the present is the right spproach. That's right! Right now! Now I am a human being and I should have a human character, practicing good conduct, morality and cultivation. A person must do one's best. Now I realize that every word the Master has said reflects true Buddhist philosophy and wisdom.

I began to respect and to love the Master more and more. Once in a dream, I even told her, "Master, I really enjoy your speeches." She unexpectedly replied, "If you like listening to my speeches, why don't you listen to my tapes?" This really happened in my dream! As a Buddhist disciple, I cannot lie. After I woke up, I felt ashamed about my laziness.

I remember I once told Sister Ching-ying that I wanted to write to the Master in repentance but had no courage to do so. So through this topic, "The Phrase That Benefits Me Most," I want to say what is on my mind: the phrase "A perfect character leads to the buddha-nature" and my gradual understanding of Tzu Chi have demolished my lingering attachment to old-fashioned Buddhist doctrines. Now my husband and I cultivate ourselves together and work to become happy Tzu Chi people.

I am very grateful to Tzu Chi for the following teachings: "For Buddhism and all living beings," and "Buddha's compassion is my compassion, the Master's commitments are my commitments." The door of Tzu Chi is open to everyone, so let's work for the good of the world.

A sutra says, "Your wisdom is incredible; your compassion is incredible. You transform yourself into multitudes, and each one of you relieves a multitude from suffering." Yes, I have found the buddha in my mind.

Appreciate, Cherish and Create Good Fortune
By Lien Li-hsiang

With deep gratitude, I participated in relief work in mainland China. It was not until that time that I realized that Taiwan could be compared to a paradise, whereas the mainland after heavy flooding was a hell. The disaster victims on the mainland had very little to eat and their clothes were covered with patches. I felt very sad.

When we were distributing relief supplies, we also prepared some biscuits for the elderly and the children. Although each person only got a couple of biscuits, they were very happy. They would fold their hands together in prayer and keep saying: "We thank you for coming to help us." Looking at their smiles, I felt more distressed than ever.

When we were about to leave after completing the distribution of relief supplies and biscuits, Sister Tzu Hang came to ask if there were any more biscuits. There was an old woman who was crying loudly that she didn't get any biscuits. After checking, we found that the old woman was not on our relief list. When she found out that others had gotten biscuits while she alone hadn't, she cried bitterly. Fortunately, my brother, who had stomach trouble, had brought some digestive biscuits with him. We gave them to the old woman, who then stopped crying. That night, Sister Lin Pi-yu sighted: "To think that two or three biscuits could stop the cries of an old woman!" Each time I recall this event, tears fall from my eyes.