作者
About Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1927–2023) was born in Jiangsu Province, China. He studied at various renowned Buddhist institutions such as Qixia Vinaya College and Jiaoshan Buddhist College.
Soon after his arrival in Taiwan in 1949, he became the chief editor of Human Life, a Buddhist magazine. In 1952, his efforts in establishing Buddhist Chanting Association strengthened the foundation for his subsequent endeavors in the promotion of the Dharma. Venerable Master founded Fo Guang Shan Monastery in 1967, with the primary goal of promoting Humanistic Buddhism through Buddhist education, culture, charity, and propagation of the Dharma. Since then, over two hundred branch temples have been established in major cities around the world. He has also set up art galleries, libraries, publishing houses, bookstores, mobile clinics, Buddhist colleges, and universities including: University of the West, Fo Guang University, Nanhua University, Nan Tien Institute, and Guang Ming College. In 1977, the Fo Guang Tripitaka Editorial Board was formed to compile the Fo Guang Buddhist Canon and the Fo Guang Dictionary of Buddhism. Many other works on Buddhism have also been published.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun has dedicated his life to propagating Humanistic Buddhism. As a global citizen, he fostered “joy and harmony,” “oneness and coexistence,” “respect and tolerance,” and “equality and peace” throughout the world. When he founded the Buddha’s Light International Association in 1991 and was elected president of its world headquarters, he was closer to realizing the ideal of having “the Buddha’s light shining throughout the three thousand realms, and the Dharma water flowing across the five continents.”
編者
About the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism
Founded in 2013 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism pursues the objectives of propagating the Buddha’s teachings and the Venerable Master’s thoughts on Humanistic Buddhism. The Institute endeavors to recruit experts and nurture scholars of Buddhism, gather ancient and contemporary editions of the Buddhist Canons, as well as compile the complete works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Through the Center of International Affairs, the Institute translates the works of the Venerable Master and holds the annual Symposium on Humanistic Buddhism, in addition to other international academic forums welcoming outstanding scholars and youths from around the world to study Buddhism."
Foreword: The Kaleidoscope of Life
by Venerable Master Hsing Yun
The Many Matters of Life is my third front-page column written for The Merit Times 人間福報, following Between Ignorance and Enlightenment 《迷悟之間》 and Dharma Words from Venerable Master Hsing Yun 《星雲法語》. As the title suggests, “The Many Matters of Life” embraces all facets of the human world—exploring the highs and lows of human emotion, the complexities of morality, the dualities of good and evil, and offering insights into the changing conditions of family, society, the cosmos, and the profound mysteries of life itself.
With the new year, I am pleased to see these reflections compiled into a book. Tsai Meng-Hua, Executive Director of Gandha Samudra Cultural Enterprise, has taken on the task of collecting and editing the articles, and remarked that the series resembles a “kaleidoscope of life.” Each piece provides readers with a lens through which to understand life’s deeper meanings, to uncover its inner design, and to navigate the world through the lens of Buddhist wisdom—finding beauty and insight in the ever-changing colors of human experience.
People often say life is a complex and difficult subject, but in essence, it can be distilled into two main themes: birth and death. The value of life lies in love; the meaning of life lies in cherishing. Where there is love, there is life. Where there is love, there is vitality, continuity, and presence. Life does not begin at birth nor end at death. It is beginningless and endless, without boundaries inside or out. Life is dynamism, utility, and relationship. Through our vibrant actions and energy, we connect and interact with the world around us.
Modern society, too, is a living kaleidoscope. People come in all kinds: wise and foolish, rich and poor, tall and short, young and old, men and women. Faces, personalities, and behaviors are endlessly diverse. Life events range from trivial to profound, virtuous to wicked, personal to national. Society is filled with organizations, languages, schools, shops, and goods. When viewed closely, life appears dazzling and overwhelming, just like a kaleidoscope, filled with ever-shifting scenes.
However, because our wisdom is limited and our observation incomplete, we are often disoriented by this vibrant spectacle. Overwhelmed by complexity, we lose sight of what is essential. It is my hope that through this collection, The Many Matters of Life, readers will be able to reflect on the wide range of human affairs and, within them, find their truest self.
This series is filled with meaning and stories. It offers knowledge and insight, metaphor and explanation, analysis and reflection. By exploring life from many angles, it seeks to present new perspectives and cultivate right understanding. My purpose in writing these short articles has been to vividly portray the conditions of the human world and the reality of sentient beings. I hope that amid moments of light-hearted reading, readers may also be inspired to contemplate life’s deeper truths and uncover new ways to overcome life’s challenges.
I am deeply grateful to Chang Tso-Chin, advisor to the United Daily News; esteemed scholars Prof. Yan Chongnian, Prof. Chen Yi-An, Prof. Lin Shui-Fu, and Prof. Cheng Sher-Yan; acclaimed authors Yu Chian-Kuei, Lee Wei-Wen, Ou Yin-Chuan, Lin Liang, Hsieh Peng-Hsiong, and Huang Chun-Ming; as well as Principal Ou Zong-Zhi, all of whom graciously provided forewords for this series. I express my heartfelt thanks.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.....................................................................iv
About Venerable Master Hsing Yun..........................................viii
Translator’s Introduction...........................................................x
Foreword: The Kaleidoscope of Life.........................................xiii
1. To Be Needed by Others............................................................1
2. Ten Exceptional Qualities of Women........................................5
3. Six Points for the Self................................................................11
4. Ten Ways to Be Victorious in Life.............................................15
5. Human Relationships.................................................................19
6. Types of People..........................................................................23
7. Emotional States........................................................................27
8. The Art of Interpersonal Relationships......................................31
9. The Art of Verbal Expression ...................................................35
10. The Myriad Experiences in Life................................................39
11. The Great Person.......................................................................43
12. Things to Avoid..........................................................................47
13. Rootedness.................................................................................51
14. Truly Outstanding......................................................................55
15. Unsettled....................................................................................59
16. Breakups....................................................................................63
17. One’s Inner Circle......................................................................67
18. The Undefeated..........................................................................71
19. Radiance....................................................................................75
20. Four Kinds of Friends................................................................79
21. Saying No to Others...................................................................83
22. Impairments...............................................................................87
23. Branding Your Life....................................................................91
24. Autonomy..................................................................................95
25. Renewing Oneself......................................................................99
26. Kindred Spirit............................................................................103
27. What Do Men Want?.................................................................107
28. Expressing Yourself...................................................................111
29. Factors of Success......................................................................115
30. The Good Person.......................................................................119
31. The Frustrations of Being Famous ...........................................125
32. Six Ways of Cultivating Friendships.........................................129
33. Impressions................................................................................133
34. Companions...............................................................................137
35. The Wisdom of Discernment.....................................................141
36. Being Together...........................................................................145
37. The Noble and the Petty............................................................149
38. A Kindred Spirit Friendship.......................................................153
39. The Kind of Person to Be..........................................................157
40. The Kind of Vision to Have.......................................................161
41. The Art of Expression................................................................165
42. Visiting Etiquette.......................................................................169
43. The Minimum Ability to Live....................................................173
44. Renewing Our Heart..................................................................177
45. Being Disliked...........................................................................181
46. Sensitivity..................................................................................185
47. Treating Others..........................................................................189
48. The Art of Getting Along...........................................................193
49. Hero...........................................................................................197
50. A Good Person...........................................................................201
51. The People Around Us...............................................................205
52. The Many Faces of a Smile.......................................................209
53. The Kind of Person Everyone Dislikes.....................................213
54. Ten Failures in Being a Person..................................................217
55. Be the Best Version of Yourself.................................................221
56. Deviation....................................................................................225
57. Compassionate Restraint...........................................................229
58. Progress......................................................................................233
59. Graduation.................................................................................237
To Be Needed by Others
A reflection on human character
Dear readers, auspicious greetings!
When young people step into society, many begin with a mindset of asking, “What do I want from this job?” They expect to be valued, to receive higher salaries, flexible holidays, and lighter responsibilities. However, this is a misguided approach.
There is another kind of person, someone who holds themselves to high standards. They understand that a workplace is not just about receiving; it is about contributing. They are ready to take on responsibility and fulfill tasks reliably. Unsurprisingly, people with this mindset tend to succeed.
Unfortunately, many jobseekers today have not adjusted their thinking. The question should not be “What do I want?” That was a question for childhood, when you could ask parents for favors or teachers for help. On the contrary, in the workplace, it is no longer about what you want. It is about what others need from you.
When you align yourself with others’ expectations and strive to fulfill them, even if difficulties arise, your future remains bright, because your attitude is right.
What do others need from me?
1. Diligence: Why hard work matters
If diligence is expected of me, can I afford to be lazy? A worker who is constantly idle, taking breaks, or lacking motivation is not contributing. They are acting like someone who expects special treatment. Yet a company doesn’t need someone to play the role of a pampered guest.
Without working hard, a person will never gain the trust of their supervisors. And without that trust, it’s difficult to sustain any long-term position.
2. Integrity: The foundation of trust
If others want me to be honest, can I afford to lie, argue, make excuses, or manipulate? Who would trust a team member who constantly avoids responsibility?
Dishonesty undermines relationships. A person lacking in credibility makes it hard for others to rely on them. If we only focus on our own desires and never consider what our supervisors or teammates need, we are going against the very spirit of cooperation. Without trust, success becomes very difficult.
3. Aspiration: Having a mindset of service
Just as land must be cultivated and mountains developed, every organization must grow. If I lack the aspiration to grow and help others thrive, how can I be of value to my workplace?
If I work not for recognition but for results, not for personal credit but for team success, not to satisfy myself but to meet shared goals, then my diligence, honesty, and aspiration will naturally inspire trust.
4. Uprightness: Character is non-negotiable
Even if I am diligent, honest, and willing, others will still look for something deeper: moral character. Uprightness is the foundation of any profession. Some people are smart, others are skilled—but if they lack integrity, their success is often short-lived. Fame gained through deception is fleeting.
True strength is revealed over time. A finance officer should not skim funds. A manager should not cut corners. An HR leader should not act out of favoritism. A production worker should not cheat on quality. When people work with clarity, fairness, and transparency, their value becomes self-evident.
5. Responsibility: Not a favor, but a duty
Whether others choose to work with me depends on my sense of responsibility. Being hired is not a favor, not an act of sentiment, nor an obligation. If I fulfill my duties, my superiors will trust me, and my career will move forward.
Even as a leader, I must remain responsible. If I take credit only when things go well and shift blame when they do not, no one above or below me will offer their support. Irresponsibility isolates a person and makes it difficult to survive within any team.
6. Initiative: Going beyond what’s asked
An ideal worker is not someone who merely follows orders without showing initiative. A person who does only what they are told, and stays idle when not assigned a task, is merely a third- or fourth-tier “obedient talent.” This type of employee rarely rises through the ranks.
In today’s highly competitive society, one must be proactive: taking the initiative to think, to devote oneself wholeheartedly, to grow and develop, and to contribute meaningfully to others. The achievements and worth of those who take initiative and those who remain passive simply cannot be compared.
How do we thrive in the world? One must become someone others need; this is something we must actively learn and develop. To be needed by others, and to need others in return, this is crucial for one’s future prospects. This should not be neglected!
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