Master Xingyun, "Money is your own when you use it."

Since 1952, I have been in charge of editing Life magazine for 6 years. I remember once, Master Dong Chu, the publisher, said this sentence: "The money will be your own after it is used! This sentence has benefited me for life.

I grew up in poverty. Because I have no money, I have developed the habit of not buying or even accumulating. This habit has greatly helped my life, and my life-long Buddhist career has come from this habit. I don't accumulate money because I have no money, but I am good at using it. Being rich is a blessing, and being able to use money is wisdom.

195 1 year, I was the academic director of a Buddhist seminar in Taiwan Province, and the monthly salary given to me by the Buddhist Association of Taiwan Province Province was NT$ 50. For the average person, this is a very small word. However, since I grew up in the jungle, I have developed the habit of neither greed nor scraping together. 50 yuan is already a lot for me. I use this money every month to buy teaching equipment for the teaching building and stationery for poor students, and I am almost penniless. But I am very pleased to see that many students have grown up in Buddhism and can be used by the teaching community. Isn't this a valuable asset? It turns out that "money is your own!" 」

Two years later, I went to the Yilan Buddhist Association, and I received a monthly grant from 300 yuan NT. I feel very rich! Christianity was very popular at that time, so I took out 150 yuan to buy a silver swastika necklace and became attached to young Buddhists who came to listen to it. I hope they can hang it around their necks to represent their lofty status and let the world know that not only some people wear cross necklaces, but also some people are proud of hanging Buddhist necklaces. The other 150 yuan, I will use it to order 100 copies of Life magazine for believers to read. 1954, when the monthly allowance was raised to 600 yuan, I took out 150 yuan to support Zhang Youli (Cihui) and Wu Suzhen (Cirong) to receive kindergarten teacher training in Taichung, and the remaining 150 yuan was used to support Yan Ci and others to attend Xizhi Buddhist College. I do this every month. Later, more young people studied Buddhism with me. Believers who read Life magazine followed me to preach everywhere, and young women who studied early childhood education came back to help me run a Buddhist kindergarten and serve the temple Dojo. I further learned: "money is your own when you use it!" 」

1956, I gave up the opportunity to enroll in the doctoral program of Taisho University in Japan, saved the cost, helped young people to set up the Buddhist Cultural Service Office, and launched a Buddhist book-buying and reading movement. Even later, he was sent to Japan to study by Ci Zhuang, Ci Hui, Ci Rong, Ci Jia, Ci Yi and others. At that time, when the economy was in the most difficult time, many people laughed at me as a fool with no financial mind. Therefore, facts speak louder than words. After they returned to China, they all devoted themselves to the study of Buddhism. For decades, I have continuously sponsored young Buddhists to study and even study abroad, and now they have gradually become the backbone of Foguang Mountain. These have repeatedly proved that "money is your own after use", which is a wise saying.

Ordinary families have only three or five children, and the cost of education is already very difficult. At present, my family is not an apprentice, and there are more than a thousand monks who have become monks with me. I have set up six Buddhist colleges for them to study, and I am responsible for raising him and teaching him, especially dozens of disciples from universities such as Oxford, Yale, Temple, California, Paris, Japan, Ozawa, Foda, Taisho, Tokyo International, India and Dongguo, South Korea. In addition, in order to broaden my disciples' knowledge, I also encourage them to travel and study abroad, which is very expensive every year. I never call myself poor or embarrassed, because I think: no sowing, no harvest; You don't need it if you have money. Even if you accumulate more, it is not your own.

"Money, with your own! Especially in training talents, I did not hesitate to use it, but the most difficult thing is to give money to people fairly and properly. I remember the young people who became monks with me in the early days, rich and poor, with different needs, so I put my money in one place and took it for myself. I think it is true equality to let them get what they want.

I recall that since 1953, I went out to teach in an empty square, and it cost me 12 yuan to install a temporary electric light, and it cost me 15 yuan to invite a person to play gongs for publicity, as well as other publicity and transportation expenses. It was really difficult for me with limited financial resources. But because of the importance of promoting Buddhism and benefiting students, I am not afraid of lack of money. Always tighten your belt and make friends everywhere on an empty stomach. I have taught in various parts of Taiwan Province Province many times. I paid for the radio broadcast. I was the first person to buy TV time and let the Voice of France spread for ten years.

Now Buddhism is popular in Taiwan Province Province, isn't it that Bodhi, which was originally scattered all over the country, has blossomed and borne fruit? We shouldn't be afraid to spend money, because, "the money after use is our own!" " 」

When editing Life magazine, I advocated increasing the length of the original work from 20 pages to 28 pages for readers. The publishing house asked me to subsidize the cost of eight pages. I don't have any money, but I stubbornly promised to be frugal every day. Spending money is still a trivial matter. Because I am the only editor in the club, I often burn incense day and night and rack my brains to rewrite articles. The increased space has also become my writing garden. Biography of Buddha of Sakyamuni and Yulin Buddhism were both my works at that time. Over time, I even honed my pen to write articles. Buddhism talks about giving, which seems to be for people, but it is actually for yourself; If I have been stingy with my investment, I can't cultivate my keen consciousness and thinking ability. Now that I think about it, the real thing is: "After the money is used, it will be your own!" 」

With the habit of writing, I worked harder, published articles in various books, newspapers and magazines, and bought thousands of small souvenirs for believers with each payment. I'm not good at helping small things. I don't expect anything in return I'm just trying to get along. Later, many students were encouraged by me to learn Buddhism; Vendors selling souvenirs also made a small fortune. In the process of buying and selling, they were influenced by Buddhism and voluntarily converted to Sambo. Later, Taiwan Province Province distributed small Buddhist souvenirs everywhere, which I didn't expect. It is further confirmed here: "Money is your own after it is used! 」

I not only edit magazines, but also buy Buddhist books and periodicals from my own pocket for believers to read. Bodhi Tree Monthly, Life Magazine, Shi Jue Xunkan, and Buddhist books from Taiwan Province Press Bureau and Ruicheng Bookstore are all gifts that I often miss. I hope you can read more books, make your thoughts in harmony with Buddhism, become a true Buddhist disciple and become a clean stream to purify the world. Sure enough, the young people I gave them in those years can all step onto the platform of Buddhism today and give full play to their strength. I deeply feel that with less money, so many Buddhist flowers and fruits have grown. It is true that spending money is not only to buy your own needs, but also to buy wisdom and contribute to the public.

I still remember that twenty-six years ago, Ye's father made monk shoes for a living and sold them for thirty dollars, but I bought them from him for forty dollars. I often go back and forth between Kaohsiung and Taipei, and spend five yuan on a bowl of1.vegetarian Yangchun noodles in 50 yuan at the noodle restaurant for lunch in Changhua. People blame me, but I take it for granted: because Buddhism was not universal at that time, as a Buddhist, I just want to do my bit to encourage businessmen to engage in more Buddhist undertakings. In this way, not only businessmen can benefit from Buddhism, but Buddhists can also buy buddhist supplies conveniently, so that everyone can be vegetarian. Isn't it killing two birds with one stone?

I often go to Hong Kong, and taxis in Hong Kong often refuse to take my family. If I take it once, I will give him double fare, hoping to change the atmosphere. Later, I extended this concept to some businessmen who sold their husbands. For example, when I teach in Penghu, I often buy many pebbles sold by local residents, and I don't know what to do when I come back. I went to "Taibei" to preach. I wandered around the stall for a long time. Looking around, nothing makes me happy. I have to give every vendor 100 Thai dollars. /kloc-more than 0/00 vendors looked at me with strange eyes. I'm just practicing my wish of "giving a little".

When I take a group abroad to visit places of interest, I always take the lead in shopping, just like the head of a purchasing group. Actually, I'm frugal and don't need those souvenirs. It's just that I know that when followers see me buying it, they will follow up and let them become attached to those vendors, which is also a good thing. Even when I organize a delegation to visit relatives in Chinese mainland, I will reprimand my disciples for bargaining with businessmen, because I know those things are more expensive, but their lives are so poor, how can we have the heart to bargain?

I don't have the habit of buying, but I never want to buy cheap goods when I do, for fear that businessmen will not make money. I think that spending and buying with a happy heart will make businessmen engage in product quality improvement and innovation because of economic improvement. Money, rather than buying your own convenience, is better used to buy everyone's wealth and wealth. In this way, "money, when used, is your own and belongs to everyone in society." 」

1963, I founded Shoushan Buddhist College to provide free accommodation for young people studying Buddhism. So, in order to pay the huge educational expenses, I scrimped and saved. I'm not a monk, and I'm willing to go to the funeral parlour to chant Buddhist scriptures, help the mourners stay up all night, and take the trouble to recruit teachers everywhere. In addition, as soon as I got the red envelope, I tried to buy more equipment: one or two chairs and stools at a time, three or four books, and accumulated bit by bit. As a result, there are more classrooms and libraries. I don't think this is a burden, because I always think it is for "everyone", not for "individuals". "Money, with your own! I think it's just an extension of the "people-oriented" character.

Twenty years ago, when the Tzu Chi Meritorious Society was just established, I just opened a mountain in Foguang Mountain and sponsored100000. At that time, I heard that there was a superfine product in Taichung who wanted to study Buddhism in Japan, but because of financial difficulties, there was no way. I immediately personally delivered100000 yuan to his home; Even I have sponsored young scholars to study abroad many times to increase their experience ... There are countless things to sponsor cultural, educational and charitable activities. Now, I see that Tzu Chi's meritorious deeds will flourish, and young scholars have a place in Buddhist academic circles ... Their growth has promoted the development of Buddhism, and I am also happy. As long as we can manage our finances with the concept of "enjoying without owning", we can naturally share the fun of "spending money is our own" all the time.

1950, Master Zhu Jun retreated from Zhoushan to Taiwan Province, and I gave him a newly sewn robe. From then on, I wore a blouse in Yuanguang Temple for two years. In the early years, when I started climbing mountains, there were all kinds of difficulties. A mage borrowed 800,000 yuan from me, thinking it was an elder. I tried my best to raise money. Later, I learned that he just wanted to test my character, and I was dissatisfied. I led a delegation to Japan for meetings many times, and the mage in the group asked me to give them travel expenses. At that time, it was a little difficult for me to take care of myself, let alone others, but I still tried my best to meet my own needs. In the past, some of my classmates and friends had a bad life in Taiwan Province Province. Even if they have wronged me, I will never forget the past and give them financial assistance to help me tide over the difficulties. Some poor literati often ask me for money, and I try my best to obey my heart. Seeing others lose their money carelessly and looking anxious on weekdays will naturally arouse their sympathy and take the initiative to help them out. I am not rich, but I am willing to spread my wealth. I've never been poor because of this. "All the money is used up", as long as everyone can get what he needs, "as if he has it all", what else can a husband ask for? It's just that some brazen people often charge tens of thousands or even millions. Although money is used to eliminate disasters and solve problems, I don't want to give it, because money is "net money" and can't be made into "dirty money"

When I preach Buddhism in various places, I often pay attention to the collection of Buddhist cultural relics. In the early days, forced by economic poverty, they often saved money to eat during their travels to pay for shopping; In order to save freight, I always put up with the pain of sore hands and numb legs, personally took the Buddha back all the way, and even suffered ridicule from my peers, thinking that I was running a business alone, and I never excused myself.

1983, I built a Buddhist cultural relics exhibition hall in Foguang Mountain. 1988, I built a Buddhist treasure house in Xilai Temple in America. Now, I collect Buddhist relics for the Dojo of Paris Castle. Everything in these museums is my painstaking collection for many years. Although since its establishment, I have been unable to make ends meet every year because of the huge maintenance costs, I have affirmed my belief for many years from the voice and eyes of the guests: "After spending money, it will be my own!" The seemingly cold cultural relics actually contain incomparably rich life. It silently announces the long and great history, culture and art of Buddhism in a concise and powerful way. This spiritual construction is priceless. Money should be used not only to meet material needs, but also to honor the wisdom of all beings.

Thirty-five years ago, a poor little girl came to me because of someone else's introduction and said that she would follow me to learn Buddhism. At that time, I found it difficult to take care of myself anywhere, so I could only politely refuse, but she left, and I couldn't bear it. Now I take out my only fifty dollars as a gift for her, thinking that she will find another Buddhist college as the capital for learning Taoism. Unexpectedly, today, 35 years later, she has spared no effort to protect the law and monks in return for a hundred thousand donations. She is the laity Huang Liming, known as "Huang Xiangu". She said with relish, I am more sure that "the money has been used", not only "my own", but also millions of times the interest. Giving money is not to buy a false name, not to count, but to win your joy and peace of mind with your heart!

I not only give alms to others, but also often deal with apprentices and apprentices to help them solve problems: sometimes in Foguangshan, there are disputes over some cases that need money because of power and responsibility problems, economic difficulties or different positions. After I know it, I can make peace by saying "I'll pay for it". Isn't it my own harvest that Foguang Mountain has been peaceful and harmonious for so many years? Therefore, I have always insisted: "Money is your own after it is used!" 」

Because I have this concept that money is my own when spent, and because I don't save money, Foguangshan has always followed the tradition of "ten ways to come, ten ways to go, and ten ways to come." Over the years, I have not only had no surplus, but also been heavily in debt. Although I am getting sadder every day, I still live in peace. No one in Foguang Mountain is vying to be the abbot and take charge of finance. It is also my blessing to serve the society and contribute to all beings with the spirit of sacrificing the ego, which is more meaningful than having money!

On the other hand, in turbulent times, some people sit in the garage with a treasure of wealth. Once dead, the bones are not cold, and children and grandchildren are arguing over the distribution of property. Not only can they not take all the money before their death, but they even become the bane of future generations. It's not hard. Would it be better later? Others covet small profits, lend usury, recruit people to bid for the conference, and try their best to collect money. In the end, they still have to pay their debts, and their life's hard work still belongs to others. Would you rather have no regrets? Buddha explained 2500 years ago that there are five kinds of wealth: fire and water, sword and soldiers, thieves, tyranny and unscrupulous descendants, so he taught us to give and become attached. There is a poem that describes these situations very aptly:

Harvest a grain of soil, harvest a penny of charity.

I will leave it in your vault, and you and your descendants will enjoy it forever.

For a long time in the past, I was penniless, but I never considered myself poor. On the contrary, I think the world is full of wealth: a kind word, a good deed, a convenient thing and a little friendship are all precious. Later, with support, I only felt that it was a blessing brought by my current career, but it was not enough. On the contrary, I deeply feel that money, like water, must flow to produce great use. I gradually realized that how to use money is a deep wisdom. The best way to spend money is to let the public get inexhaustible treasure of prajnaparamita and let them enjoy the happiness of spending money forever. Therefore, I deeply feel that having money is a blessing, and knowing how to use money is wisdom.