The nuns at the Abode of Still Thoughts must shoulder the Buddha's missions and act as the backbone of the Tzu Chi Foundation. They endure many hardships, but they are determined to walk on the Path of the Bodhisattvas.

Purify the mind

Entering religious life to save all living beings from their suffering is a mission for a great person. One should be zealous, brave, perseverant and patient, and one should desire to bring the Buddhist spirit into the world.

Spiritual cultivation begins with the mind. There are now ninety-six nuns at the Abode, who all come from different family backgrounds. Thus, we must be mutually caring and loving, and in everything we do we should always reflect upon ourselves. If others make demands on us or push us to do things, it is a good chance for us to cultivate ourselves. This is what it means to use the things around us to carry out our spiritual cultivation.

Worries are produced by the mind, and they are eliminated by the mind. Wisdom also comes from the mind. Everything is created by the mind. I often say, "Be mindful!" People always create worries, and that is why they have to go through the endless cycle of reincarnation. The whole point of Buddhism is to purify our minds and get rid of the defilement of worldly ignorance.

The Buddha's teachings are as profound as the ocean, but they are all related to our daily lives. If we look carefully, the dharma is all around us. Those who are confused by ignorance are forever lost, but those who are enlightened are free from all suffering.

Monks and nuns know they must repay the Fourfold Benevolence and save the beings in the Three Lower Realms. The Fourfold Benevolence refers to the benevolence from the Three Treasures (the Buddha, his teachings and the assembly of monks and nuns), their parents, all living beings, and the earth. The Three Lower Realms refer to the realms of animals, hungry ghosts and hell.

The Three Treasures can guide us to enlightenment and nurture our wisdom life, so we must be grateful to them. Our parents raised us and were happy to lead us to Buddhism, so we must be grateful to them. Everything in our lives--even a piece of thread, a grain of rice or a vegetable--is provided by the living beings of this world, so we must be grateful to them for providing our food, drink and clothing. We can live in peace when the wind and rain come in proper measure, so we also must be grateful to the earth.

There are still so many hells in this world and so many suffering people who need our help. So many people lack water, food or clothes, and they give us the chance to be of service. So many people are lost in confusion and need our guidance. Thus, we must vow to save the beings in the Three Lower Realms.

Carry out the missions

The Abode of Still Thoughts is the spiritual center of Tzu Chi, and our main goal is to serve people. Our lives are short, and we do not know how much time we have. We must learn from our experiences and practice what we have learned. Our work, our lives and our spiritual cultivation must all fit together.

We must all be self-reliant and support Tzu Chi. We work together with the members and employees of the foundation in the missions of charity, medicine, education and culture. Tzu Chi has a great future. We must be diligent in our work and purify our minds. We must also vow to carry out the Buddha's missions and emulate the Buddha's spirit in coming back to this world to redeem people from their suffering.

I am only one person and I do not have enough time, so all I can do is lead you into Buddhism and set a good example for you. Life is limited, so we must work hard on behalf of all people. All of you must help me. Be mindful!

Tzu Chi emphasizes mindfulness. You must be mindful every day, every minute, and every second, in everything you do. This is what I most expect from you all!