December 2, 1987 (Originally In Chinese)

True charity is to give and immediately forget, or it is not an act of charity. No one in this world needs charity; it is we who need to give it. They (the beneficiaries) are manifestations of saints who have come to test our compassion, to see whether we can forsake our material assets, ability and time, and if we can help ourselves. Sometimes we do not treat ourselves well like when we are hungry, and we don't want to eat but prefer to wait just because we are lazy, don't want to prepare the meal, or have other things to do. Likewise, when we ignore others' suffering and fail to render charity, we are mistreating ourselves. Treating others badly is the same as treating ourselves badly. If we do not eat when we are hungry, but run around busy working instead, sooner or later our stomachs will go kaput. It is true that we need the brain and other parts of the body, but the stomach is ours too. Repeated abuse could lead to grave consequences. Similarly, at a particular moment in time, we may have no need for those who are destitute and miserable; they cannot help us when they are sick, but they are also one of us, fellow citizens of the Earth. If all sentient beings on Earth were happy and wealthy, would this not be a beautiful planet?! When everyone is happy, we too will be happy.