Three Resolutions
Master Cheng Yen declares three general resolutions every year: may human hearts be pure, may society be safe and peaceful, and may the world be free from disasters. Just before the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital in January 1983, Master Cheng Yen declared three more resolutions for herself: I will not ask for a healthy body, only wish for wisdom and brilliance. I'm not going to beg for everything to go my way, just hoping to have determination and courage. I'm not begging for responsibilities to be lightened, just hoping for more power.
Master Cheng Yen said that he never asked for anything in his life. If he "applies", then his petition is about these three resolutions.
Not asking for a healthy body, just wishing for wisdom and brilliance:
Possessing wisdom and brilliance, one is able to distinguish right from wrong, is able to understand the causes of things, is able to do certain things and not do certain other things. That's why we practice wisdom so that we can understand the truth. On the other hand, it may be that we have excellent health but our minds are full of doubts – so that we cannot distinguish between good and right, between good and evil. And as a result, what we do may harm others and ourselves.
Don't ask for everything to go your way, just hope to have determination and courage:
In our lives, it is possible that our desires are not fully fulfilled. How can we beg for everything to go our way? Difficulties are unavoidable. So, we must have determination and courage to overcome all obstacles. Thus, life becomes meaningful. Tzu Chi has done many things, but each step is not easy. If we did not have determination and courage, we would not be able to see Tzu Chi as it is today. Therefore, if compassion and sacrifice had a form, every inch of Tzu Chi's path was paved by the compassion and sacrifice of everyone.
Not asking for responsibilities to be lightened, just hoping the power will increase: Everyone comes in this world with a mission. If not, what makes us different from animals? Master Cheng Yen chose to live as a nun to carry out the Buddhist mission, and she was committed to doing so. Master Cheng Yen did not beg for less responsibility. Instead, he asked to combine the energy and efforts of everyone, so that together we can bear the great responsibility that comes our way.
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