What is a person? What is the meaning of human life? These are questions we often encounter when we reflect on ourselves . We cannot find the answers merely through theoretical analysis. Only through sacrifice and giving as done by organizations like the Tzu Chi Foundation can we free ourselves from such questions.

Some people believe that in order to survive, they must evaluate everything in terms of benefit to themselves. Because of this, they are not only unwilling to give, but they even take advantage of others. Consequently, relationships among people become more alienated and indifferent. What is worse, such people deny the value and dignity of others. Under such circumstances, they feel perplexed and fall into an abyss of desolation and anxiety.

Conflicts in the human world, including wars and man-made calamities, originate from using other people as tools or means to achieve one's own ends. Because of this, a great deal of pain and cruelty have been inflicted on humanity. To avoid repeating the same mistakes, we must change this selfish attitude and learn to respect and give to others. In order to reveal the good potential of human nature and to glorify our lives, we must help and support one another, just like Tzu Chi volunteers who always bring happiness and hope to others.

When we look at human history, we find that people not only use their own kind as tools or means to benefit themselves, but they also treat nature with the same mentality. We continuously exploit and use natural resources, but we seldom love and treasure them. Many beautiful landscapes have been destroyed and many species of precious creatures have been endangered or are on the verge of extinction. It is all because we human beings keep trying to "drain the pond to catch the fish."

A healthy natural environment guarantees the continuation of human life. When we destroy nature, we destroy ourselves.

At the same time, when we make use of nature, we must help it to develop. Only when all living creatures can live continuously can our own lives be guaranteed. Therefore, to love and to respect nature is our duty. It's not a kind of condescending charity, nor is it an artificial fabrication.

We frequently hear people sigh that moral values are declining. If we want to improve this situation, we have to come back to our inner selves, refrain from taking advantage of others and give a little bit more to others. When we see that natural disasters and tragedies are caused by human actions, we should realize that nature is also a mother of humankind. We should love and cherish nature all the more.

Through our sacrifice, we realize the meaning of life and the purpose for our coming into this world. Being overly concerned about our own benefit will lead us up a dead alley. Knowledge may increase our IQ. However, it is through unselfish giving that we can upgrade our EQ. Only through giving can we acquire a fulfilling life. This is the common wish in our hearts and the essence of Buddha's teachings.

In this issue of the Tzu Chi Quarterly, we hope to show how the Tzu Chi Foundation concretely practices its respect for others through its international relief work. In such places as Ethiopia, Mexico, Azerbaijan or Cambodia, Tzu Chi members give their love without asking for anything in return and without seeking any benefit for themselves. One of the basic principles of the foundation's international relief work is the principle of respect. In each place we go, we respect the lifestyle, cultural traditions and customs of those people.