In May 1999, Tzu Chi celebrated its thirty-third anniversary. Many foundation members in Taiwan and abroad traveled to the Abode of Still Thoughts to get in touch with their spiritual roots. The crowds of people gathered together with great love made us feel very encouraged because we have gotten many more new supporters on the Path of the Bodhisattvas. However, when so many people are involved in our activities, there will inevitably be differences of opinion owing to their different backgrounds. What kinds of trials will they encounter in their spiritual cultivation as they work together?

Tzu Chi gives people in our industrialized, commercialized society a good opportunity to cultivate their karmic relationships with each other. Because our members join this organization for the purpose of giving, they can see the bright side of human nature. Under the leadership of Venerable Master Cheng Yen, Tzu Chi members have generated a tremendous power of compassion.

Although this power of compassion derives from human nature, it cannot endure unless it is strenuously cultivated. Tzu Chi people, who keep in close contact with society, fully understand that perseverance, courage and confidence are all indispensable in doing their work well. How to avoid offending others and how to get along harmoniously with people are lessons we should learn from our work with this organization. Only when we master these lessons can we move on to our next goal of cultivating our spirituality.

Any number of volunteers work quietly at Tzu Chi. Although they may encounter troubles and setbacks, they use their interpersonal skills and wisdom to resolve all these problems so that they can work more diligently on their spiritual cultivation. For them, that is probably the most precious thing gained from their Tzu Chi experience.

Ever since Tzu Chi successfully developed into a multinational charity foundation, Master Cheng Yen has kept reminding her disciples and followers that harmony is the most important factor in dealing with people. We should not be too concerned about what other people do or say, and we must not try to compete with others.

In order to attain this ideal, the Master has given us two tips—speak cautiously and listen carefully.

Speaking cautiously means no gossiping. Do not speak impulsively. Avoid hurting people, intentionally or unintentionally. We should constantly express praise and gratitude to others.

Listening carefully means listening to other people with an accommodating heart. Try to understand the message behind their words. Accept their good opinions open-mindedly and accommodate their misunderstandings and criticisms.

In the past, Buddhists showed their religious piety by chanting sutras and attending ceremonies. Speech was forbidden in the temples as a means of spiritual cultivation. Since Buddhism has now been humanized and become part of our daily lives, it has fundamentally affected our attitudes and ways of speaking. It is important that we learn how to speak without egoism and without demanding that others listen to us.

We should always remember to speak cautiously and listen carefully. Even when we are not speaking, we should be humble and gentle. We should behave like the rice plant: the riper and fuller the rice grains, the lower the rice plant bows.