132/Master's Words/The More We Work, the More Enlightened We Become

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa,
April 25, 1992 (Originally in Chinese) Videotape No. 243

We work for ourselves, because only when we work frequently will our minds react quickly, and when we encounter problems, we will manage to overcome them. This becomes a habit, and later when we encounter difficulties or problems, we can deal with them promptly and solve them quickly. People who do not work very often respond slowly. They may have good intentions, but they cannot work quickly because they lack common sense regarding work. They are not used to reacting promptly, and are thus not very careful when doing their jobs.

We need to work more often in order to become more mindful. The more we work, the more careful we become through experience. Knowledge and intelligence come from experience, not just from studying. It is the same when we do any kind of work. The more we work, the faster we react naturally and the more capable we become. We can train ourselves to cultivate this habit.

My quick reactions and ability to perform all types of jobs did not come only after I was enlightened. I have been this way since childhood, because I like to do things. When I was about eight or nine and still studying in primary school, we had three or four servants at home. However, I fetched water for myself, and collected and chopped firewood. Occasionally, I cooked for my parents, brewed tea for my father, and heated bath water for him. I washed my own clothes, ironed them, took care of myself, and refused to have the servants wait on me. That was in primary school. I took care of myself starting from grade two. That was how I trained myself to react quickly. I didn't descend from Heaven to become a Saint, and tell you to do this and that. You can see that I can do anything, like cement work and carpentry. I can do everything myself, and do it better than professionals.

Since our fellow practitioners are used to transplanting trees, they now do it better than the professionals. They dug up and planted all the trees on our hills. Even the professionals were amazed by the way they did it, and exclaimed, "Wow! We have never seen anyone do such a good job of transplanting trees!" To move a tree, they not only dig it up but also bind its roots with rope. They really do a beautiful job with the rope. Even the professionals do not tie it this way, because they don't have the enthusiasm. Besides, they want to save time, finish the work quickly, and go home early. They only care about the money and lack the spirit of commitment. Even if they have this spirit, no one binds the roots so painstakingly in beautiful layers.

The soil attached to the roots can only be preserved when it is wrapped in the way our fellow practitioners do it. Otherwise, the soil falls off. So, all the trees are growing tall. Most of them have continued to grow after being planted. Only a few have fallen leaves, perhaps because the trunks or branches are too weak, or the soil came off during the planting process. But mostly they were beautifully bound in neat layers. Trees purchased from outside are not wrapped so nicely. Nevertheless, you do not cherish all this. I know it because I saw it. I don't mean to praise our fellow practitioners. This is how it should have been done, so there is nothing to praise. It is just that people outside are doing it incorrectly, and our fellow practitioners are doing it right.

Our fellow practitioners are doing it the real professional way, because they are adept. They also realize that we badly need trees here. One more tree planted is one more source of joy for us, and one more piece of beauty added to the Center. Tens of thousands of people coming here will enjoy the benefits, and I will also be happier. That's why the initiates do it so painstakingly. They do it so well because they do it with devotion. Outside people only aim at earning money. They only want to finish the work quickly, so that they can do more jobs. That is where they differ.