We see worldly fame, fortune, glory and wealth as not good things. To be honest, they become nothing in the blink of an eye.

We see many wealthy and wealthy people who are getting older, senile, hemiplegic, and many suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

For example, I lectured on scriptures in my early years. In the 1960s of the Republic of China, I began to lecture on the Avatamsaka Sutra. It was at the home of layman Li Jianxing. He converted the hall into a lecture hall.

Li Jushi was Taiwan's coal mining king at the time.

In his past life, Lay Practitioner Li practiced wealth giving, but did not practice fearless giving. In this life, he made a fortune, but his health was not good. In his later years, he suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He lay in bed for nearly twenty years, unable to live or die. It was very pitiful.

In the last five or six years, he didn't even recognize his family members. He didn't even recognize his son, daughter, or grandson.

He has great blessings, and three shifts of nurses take care of him day and night. He has to enjoy all the blessings before he can leave. How can he enjoy them?

Enjoy it while lying in bed.

This is not happiness, this is great suffering, and the Buddha made it very clear in the sutras that the consequences are in the three paths.

Why does he have this kind of retribution?

In his past life, he only gave away money and did not practice Dharma or fearless giving. In his later years, he suffered from Alzheimer's disease and could only "enjoy blessings" while lying in bed.

For example, my teacher Mr. Fang Dongmei, in his past life, he practiced Dharma and gave alms, but did not practice financial alms. He was very smart and really wise, but he had no wealth. He spent his whole life as a teacher and lived on a meager salary. Life was very difficult.

There are also many people who only practice fearless generosity and do not practice financial generosity. They are very healthy and live long lives, but live in very poverty.

This means that when we cultivate the cause, we must cultivate in three aspects, otherwise, there will always be regrets.

1 There are three types of giving: giving of wealth, giving of Dharma, and giving of fearlessness.

The scriptures often tell us: Giving money will bring you wealth; giving Dharma will bring you wisdom and wisdom; giving fearlessly will bring you health and longevity.

2 I often tell fellow practitioners that printing sutras and giving alms are three kinds of alms at the same time.

Printing scriptures requires money, and this money is given as a gift; the scriptures are Dharma, and the Dharma is given as a gift; after people read it, they will break their confusion and become enlightened, and they will stay away from all confusion and terror. This is fearless giving.

3 In my early years, I read "Master Yin Guang's Notes" and admired Master Yin Guang's character. I learned from him.

The old man has made a lot of contributions in his life, and all of them are used to print sutras and donate them. I think this is a good thing and does not create sinful karma.

4 For example, if I use this money to build a temple, if the disciple is not good and fights for fame and fortune, it will lead to right and wrong!

Then this money will create karma, which is not good.

Therefore, I do not advocate building temples or dojos, but I advocate printing scriptures.

5 Giving scriptures to others, whether they read them or not, does not create karma, so all my money was used to print scriptures.

After so many years of printing, tens of millions of sutras are printed every year and given away to the world, almost in every country and region.

There are more than 300 units around the world that are in contact with my foundation.

6 You must know that the merits of printing scriptures are incredible!

Nowadays, the trend of printing Bibles is very strong. I see people printing Bibles everywhere.

In the past, no one printed, but we brought up the trend of printing scriptures.

When we organized the Hua Zang Dharma Giving Conference, we started printing scriptures in the 60th year of the Republic of China and making connections with people everywhere.

7 The scriptures must be circulated and given to those who need them.

The scriptures must be delivered quickly, without being greedy or stingy.

Buddhists often say, "In the Buddhist sect, all requests will be answered." If you are not greedy, not stingy, ask for things in a reasonable and legal manner, and decide to "answer all requests"!

8 Nowadays, people are printing scriptures everywhere, so we don’t print scriptures now. We make CDs now, and we hope everyone will follow.

Since CDs are being made everywhere, we shouldn’t do them. Let’s cultivate talents who can spread the Dharma.

If there are more talents to spread the Dharma, it will truly continue the Buddha’s wisdom and benefit all sentient beings!

◎In this world, there are many people cultivating blessings in Buddhism. Why?

Practicing blessings in Buddhism is the fastest and greatest way to gain blessings.

However, after many people donated money to Buddhism, they did not get rich or get promoted. It was as if the money was thrown into the water in vain. What is that?

He does good deeds with an unwholesome intention, so the consequences are not obvious or significant.

Giving is not about seeking retribution. Coveting for retribution is not a good intention. It cannot be said that there is no retribution. The retribution is very small and insignificant. Giving joyfully and not seeking retribution will only bring great retribution.

If you decide to give without expecting any retribution, the retribution will come on its own.

If you have a big heart, the results will come especially big and fast.

◎Many people think that giving means donating money. If you think the same way, you are completely wrong.

Donating money is just one type of giving.

What does giving mean?

In a word that is easy for people to understand nowadays, serving all living beings is giving.

Giving, there is giving with wealth, giving with Dharma, and giving with fearlessness.

Wealth includes internal wealth and external wealth.

What is foreign wealth?

Things outside the body are external wealth.

Using my own body (such as donating organs), labor, and wisdom to help others is internal wealth.

External wealth should be given away, and internal wealth should also be given away.

You are a housewife who does the same work every day - tidying up, washing clothes, and cooking. In the past, you were very annoyed and tired from doing housework, and you complained a lot. But now that you have learned Buddhism, you understand, and you know that it is about cultivating inner wealth.

Giving alms, you are very happy when you do it, and you won’t be troubled. Why?

You know this is cultivating blessings, and cultivating blessings is of course a happy thing!

As a child, if you use your financial resources and labor to carefully take care of your parents' lives, this is a gift of wealth; if you use your wisdom to help your parents get rid of bad habits and hobbies, this is a gift of Dharma; you can make your parents feel at ease.

, make him happy and free from all worries, this is fearless charity.

So where does giving start?

Start with your parents.