Giving Pledge and the poor people

Giving Pledge and the poor people

On June 16th, 2010, Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett launched a campaign to ask every billionaire in USA to pledge to give away 50% of their wealth for philanthropy. Needless to say, it has created more than a big stir in the economical world.

One of the interesting things about it is that it's a moral contract or commitment: The pledge has no legal obligation. In this world of so many laws and enforcement agencies, this tells and convinces people to do things from their hearts and own willingness. There is no one but we ourselves facing the social responsibility to the world.

It's going to be great help and have wonderful impact, both psychologically and in actual fact, to the world in terms of education, cultural, medical, healthcare, public policies, international aids and etc.

While most of the media have been focusing on how Gates and Buffett act so philanthropically with their great wealth, there have been skepticism about their motives and the methods to do it right. Nonetheless, it's great news for the seemingly selfish world.

I have a feeling it's not only the amount of money that has strong impact to the philanthropic world; the initiative will pose great significance in the culture of returning to the society.

The world is changing. Some of the old rigid golden rules of ancient societies may not seem very welcome by the new and younger generations. These days many people look upon the rich and famous and many fancy their materialistic lifestyle and glamor. So if the rich and famous can set a trend of donation frenzy, why not?

So, one may wonder if the rich and famous are running the show, what about common people like you and me? I've been thinking about this for a while. In fact, many ancient thinkers have thought about this and some wonderful concepts have always been around for long.

Below is one of those concepts I believe work well:

The poor must work harder in contributing for charitable activities QUIETLY, CONSISTENTLY and hopefully UNKNOWINGLY too.

QUIETLY means we don't have to tell the world we're doing good deeds. We do encourage everyone to do good and nice deeds but we don't boast things openly. This is called quiet charity. It encourages humble humanity.

CONSISTENTLY is important to make it a habit, so that the merit keeps accumulated.

UNKNOWINGLY is about subconscious level. The more frequent we do certain things, the more unknowingly it becomes. And when that free thought takes place, it's more in tune with the frequency of the resonance of nature; at the same time all the natural abundance will come to us...

In the world of material possessions, one takes nothing with them when one leaves the world. All the monetary and material wealth mean nothing to dead people. Only kind gestures and good deeds for people and living beings will stay in everyone's memories.

So my brothers and sisters, let's all work harder on ways we give and change how we receive from the universe. As some put it, big money makes the news, but it's the giving, both material and emotional supports, of all ordinary individuals that make the world a better place.

PS:
1. For ideas and concepts on how charity and good deeds can change one's destiny and fate, please take a look at the label "charity" on the right.

Charitable works / Doing good deeds

Charitable works / Doing good deeds

These days I'm enjoying, or rather obsessed and possessed by, the thoughts of “cause and effect”. And would like to share with all of us the benefits of give-and-take, and charitable works below: [The ones in brackets is my own interpretation]

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Doing good deeds in time can prevent our thoughts from stemming corrupted ideas.
Those who delay charitable works find themselves constantly in contact with bad deeds.
[Constant work keeps our mind and conscience cleaned. The reward of serving is peace of mind that attracts similar peaceful events.]

No one can avoid death; we should do as many good deeds when we are around.
It's analogous to planting a baby tree in front of our house, nourishing her everyday, growing bigger and flourishing into big tree, and then you and even your children and grandchildren and the next generation of human beings can rest well underneath.

Do not under estimate small charities; and wrongfully believe that small charities will not yield great returns.
Small charities, if done everyday for months and years, kept accumulated, enable the whole of you be covered in great luck and fantastic returns.

Be tolerant in the crowd of angry people;
Be mild and gentle in the crowd of fierce people;
Be philanthropic in the crowd of greedy people.
[It's all so obvious people are greedy. An individual can be very unselfish but a group of people gathered for materialistic causes will always be greedy. This is the time we must be giving; when many others are greedy.]

Do not do any bad deeds.
Cultivate good deeds and the heart of compassion.
Cleanse the thoughts.

Rich people should help poor people, with hearts of compassion.
Poor people should learn the value of life, open the hearts, and strive to do charitable works to change the fates.
[Remember that no small giving is too small. It's not like we have to wait until we become millionaires to do something good for other people. Start now. Start today. No matter how small, or in what forms. Smile and make people happy!]

Doing things, if it's with a kind and helping thought, will help us to bridge closer relationship with people who used to distance us;
Doing things, on the other hand, if it's with the thought of hurting people, will distance people as close as our mothers and fathers from us and create common hatred.
[Thoughts matter. Be kind in and out.]

Rich people must learn:
Tens of thousands of angels money is;
Tens of thousand of devils money is, too.
Use it righteously, we build lucky foundations.
Use it evilly, we build bad obstacles.
If we can deduct a penny of self-use, add a penny of sharing, good luck may not be seen fairing, yet bad luck will diminish by itself.
Add a flavor of stinginess, and we may think we have gotten advantage. Once fallen in disaster, all the possessions will be gone. The tiny gain of being stingy will not be worth it. Too late to regret.
[The rich should act fast and huge. For the able people not acting kind is more sinful than those not-so-able ones.]

There are three kinds of treasures in life:
- We CAN rob them in life; CAN'T bring them with us when we die: Gold, silver and precious stones.
- We CAN'T rob them in life; CAN'T bring them with us either when we die: Intelligence, wisdom and ability.
- We CAN'T rob them in life; CAN bring them with us when we die: Good deeds and merits.

Those with THICK merits, be born in happy heaven.
Those with THIN merits, be born in miserable poverty.
[If our merits are thin or thick enough, we may see changes, be they negative or positive, almost immediately.]

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Note:
The writing is translated from chapter 12 of the brochure “Intelligent Lamp of the Heart” which is originally in Chinese language. There are a total of 29 chapters in the brochure. The God is watching if I'm able to translate them all. There is plenty of time I overestimate myself.

Teresa Hsu: 110 years of wisdom

110 years of wisdom: Teresa Hsu

I was reading the sub edition of Chinapress newspaper (Oct 15th, 2008) and came across this incredible human being by the name of Teresa Hsu Chih (许哲; Xu Zhe). Apparently there is so much to learn from her 110 years of wisdom about sharing and giving.

"Clothes, foods, houses, transportations are things I don't mind about. My clothes are old clothes of others. Material things are just tools. Because I'm a full vegetarian, my diet is really simple. Coarse teas and plain rice [Simple foods] are no problem." Vegetarianism that goes her heart to suffering animals. Simplicity that cares about mother earth's resources.

"I must have got it from my mother because she was totally dedicated to the job she chose to do and that was looking after the family. I think that trait was passed down to us. I've no family, so I look after everybody else. I choose to serve everybody else who comes to me—that is my job... The world is my home, all living beings are my family, selfless service is my religion." An incredible being that walks the talks of serving selflessly.

"I prefer to laugh than to weep. Those people who cry to me, I always tell them it is better to laugh than to use tissue paper, as laughing is free but tissue paper still cost five cent. 'Ha ha ha' cost no cents." Positive tone of life takes precedent over negativity. Golden rule.

"There are no secrets [to my longivity]. I just enjoy simple, spiritual peaceful life. As a matter of fact, I didn't choose longivity; it just happens to be so." Quite many people aim for the destinations without enjoying the journey. In the end, many don't reach the destinations nor do they learn much from the journey.

"Neither am I Christian nor Buddhist. Ha ha ha." Love is what we need. It's never about religion, or race.

Please learn more about Teresa Hsu at the links below. I'm sure we're all going to learn something wise from her.

LINKS:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Hsu_Chih
2) http://www.hearttoheartservice.org/AboutFounder.htm