Compassion stems from an attitude of equanimity, nondiscrimination, and non-opposition toward all people. - Master Sheng Yen

There are really no bad people in the world, only those who make mistakes. There are no evil people, only those whose thoughts have deviated from the norm. - Master Sheng Yen

Don't interact with others or handle situations from your own standpoint. Instead, be objective, or even act from a standpoint that is beyond subjective or objective, and you will be less prone to mistakes and more compassionate and understanding of others. - Master Sheng Yen

Under all situations, we have to be respectful to others, be responsible for our obligations, and resolve our own problems with wisdom. - Master Sheng Yen

Those who understand life will meet life's rewards and challenges with openness. - Master Sheng Yen

"Understanding life" is different from merely "accepting life." Accepting life can be pessimistic, a giving up of life. Understanding life is to understand that all things exist through causes and conditions. Whatever is supposed to come, favorable or adverse, it will come. - Master Sheng Yen

Take hold of the workings of causes and conditions; if they are not "ripe," then wait and continue with diligence. When causes and conditions are ripe then they can be put to good use. - Master Sheng Yen

We should not get caught up with success and failure. The diligence and thoughtfulness we put into our work, irrespective of its outcome, can be translated into favorable conditions for our own growth. - Master Sheng Yen

Someone who understands causes and conditions can be freed from the bondage of suffering and afflictions. - Master Sheng Yen

A "cause" can be understood as the main factor, our own subjective initiative; "conditions" are objective, auxiliary factors. We can control the "cause" but the "conditions" must be cultivated and fostered. - Master Sheng Yen

Flowers blossoming and bearing fruit is a natural phenomenon. Flowers blossoming and not bearing fruit is also natural. Both accord with the workings of causes and conditions. - Master Sheng Yen

Everyone has the capacity to help others. We can help others through our sincere appreciation, encouragement, consolation, and guidance. - Master Sheng Yen

We will be a harmonious and peaceful person if we take the peace, joy, and fortunes of others as our own source of joy, peace, and fortune. - Master Sheng Yen

If you do not entertain self-referential thoughts of gain and loss, then in Chan you are "one with nothing to do." Nothing to do does not literally mean doing nothing. Rather, it means your mind is unobstructed when you engage in any task. - Master Sheng Yen

The suffering and joy you feel comes from the mind's perception. If you take all of life's favorable and adverse experiences as a process to develop wisdom and compassion, then that you are free. - Master Sheng Yen

Offering ourselves, our knowledge, and everything to the benefit of our family, friends, and even all sentient being without any reservation or complaint is to be someone who everyone needs—an "important person." - Master Sheng Yen

One day in a monk’s life is one day of work. No matter who we are or what status and role we play, as long as we are diligent and responsible, taking hold of the precious present moment, then we protect our spiritual environment. - Master Sheng Yen

As long as gratitude fills our hearts, and we are diligent, then we can be like a tube for blood transfusion—we receive nourishment from our predecessors and we also transport the nourishment we have to future generations. To do this is to fulfill our duty. - Master Sheng Yen

Even though our individual lives are miniscule, as long as we can fully utilize our strengths and develop our capabilities with utmost effort, then we will fulfill our roles of inheriting the past and inspiring the future of civilization. - Master Sheng Yen

There is usefulness in the talents we were born with. When each of us is born, we bring to this world our life purpose and capacities. Our "usefulness" is measured by our ability to contribute to humanity in the history of our times and to the whole of society. - Master Sheng Yen

The real value of life comes from offering ourselves to others; this is where we grow and form connections with others. - Master Sheng Yen

We hope to have health, happiness, and harmony for ourselves, and we wish that others may have the same. Self-referentiality exists here, but it is very different from selfishness. Such an attitude of benefitting others is known as Bodhi-mind or bodhichitta. - Master Sheng Yen

Transcending individual concerns for gain and loss, you will be able to regard society's and humanity's gain and loss as your own concern. - Master - Master Sheng Yen

If you can transcend selfish and self-serving attitudes, along with thoughts of your own gain and loss, then your heart will truly be open and receptive. Concerns for your own gain and loss will also decrease. - Master Sheng Yen

Self-centeredness is a fundamental factor for survival; from this perspective, it is not necessarily bad. However, if a person's self-centeredness is too strong, always feeling that one is right, with an insatiable desire for gain, or feeling arrogant or self-disparaged, then it will be very difficult to be happy. - Master Sheng Yen