One beautiful fall day, the breeze was gentle, the flowers were in full bloom, the leaves were green and the birds were singing. Hiking on a mountain, I felt intimate with nature and felt its rhythms within my own life. I felt as if I had merged with the mountain.

Joining Tzu Chi was like climbing the mountain of my own life. By probing my own mind, I could understand the true nature of my life. Through dedication, I could cleanse the dirt that had accumulated in my heart. Climbing up to the top painstakingly, I saw the vastness of the earth and my minuteness in comparison. Only by modesty and gratitude can we reach self-enlightenment.

People frequently ask Master Cheng Yen, "How can you call so many people to happily engage in social service work, without regard for time or money? How do you organize and manage them?" "There is no management," the Master replies. "There is only activation. I activate their conscience, make them reveal their altruistic ability, and lead them to find the right direction and the true value of life."

Once people have found the true meaning and the true value of their lives, they will never give them up. Confucius talked about benevolence as a life principle: "A gentleman will never do anything against benevolence even if he is without food. No matter how miserable his situation is, he will stick to this principle." No matter what happens in his life journey, he will not abandon the principle of benevolence, which is the most important thing in life. A benevolent person loves people and helps people.

In the execution of Tzu Chi's educational mission, Master Cheng Yen only wants to cultivate students who will love themselves and all people, respect life, and lead lives of good quality. In other words, she emphasizes the cultivation of a humanitarian spirit, through which students are taught to focus on their inner lives, rather than on external rewards such as material goods, social success and achievement at work.

When we reviewed the academic performances of the students of the Tzu Chi College of Medicine, we found one student who had only 72 points, three points less than the cut-off point for a full scholarship. The Master asked me, "What is the difference between 72 points and 75 points?" I replied without a second thought, "Three points less, not qualified for a scholarship." The Master asked calmly again, "Where is the difference of three points? Is a student with 75 points definitely better than one with 72 points? What about the student's character? What about the student's performance in other respects? If we appraise students simply by their academic achievements, what is the difference between Tzu Chi schools and other educational institutions?"

Ordinary people only care about test scores, the price of food and clothing, and the numbers on their paychecks. Individuals, families, schools and society -- all are centered on numbers and figures. These numbers come to rule people's lives, and the study of life and the education of character are sacrificed. No one asks where the value of life is and what the ultimate purpose of life should be. "What is the difference of three points?" Such a remark was like a bolt of lightning to me, opening my mind. It is true that numbers govern modern life. If not for the Master's wisdom, Tzu Chi's expectation of humanitarian care in its education would be considerably diminished.

Society is changing and so are people's minds. It is very difficult for an individual to steady himself firmly as he floats through a rapidly changing world. However, in a society where riots and protests are frequent, Tzu Chi has used education to instill a clear stream of care and love. A child's heart is like the earth. Whatever you sow there will grow. The Master said, "Education is a kind of giving -- a great giving without asking for anything in return." After receiving education from Tzu Chi schools, the students cannot help but ask. "We are not so good, but the Master has given us so much. What is it worth?" Tzu Chi is educating the students, not investing in them. It is not a short-term transaction. It is rather a long-term cultivation -- to cultivate students with ability, intellect, morality and wisdom, who will serve people and society later. So it is giving with pleasure and confidence, without worrying about worldly worth.