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From Austerity to Prosperity
What comes to your mind when you see the phrase, “from austerity to prosperity,” for the first time? Poverty? Hardship? How can prosperity be achieved through austerity? In our modern society, people seek fame and fortune and strive to satisfy their every need. So why are we advocating austerity? What is the purpose of introducing this concept now, and who is the intended target?
We are facing imminent problems that have a serious effect on our lives, such as rising temperatures and shortages of water and food. We must confront these life-and-death problems and find solutions. We should start by avoiding extravagance. We must return to a simpler, more natural way of living, and restrain our hearts so they do not run away with our desires.
Austerity means choosing simplicity and self-discipline, and forgoing excess. If we minimize our desires, keep our minds clean and pure, and strive to benefit others, our life of austerity will lead us to wealth and contentment physically, mentally, and spiritually, which is true prosperity.
We are facing imminent problems that have a serious effect on our lives, such as rising temperatures and shortages of water and food. We must confront these life-and-death problems and find solutions. We should start by avoiding extravagance. We must return to a simpler, more natural way of living, and restrain our hearts so they do not run away with our desires.
Austerity means choosing simplicity and self-discipline, and forgoing excess. If we minimize our desires, keep our minds clean and pure, and strive to benefit others, our life of austerity will lead us to wealth and contentment physically, mentally, and spiritually, which is true prosperity.
208 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2013
2 people want to read
About the author
Shih Cheng Yen
74 books15 followersDharma Master Cheng Yen was born in 1937 in a small town in Taichung County, Taiwan. When she was twenty-three years old, she left home to become a Buddhist nun and was instructed by her mentor, Venerable Master Yin Shun, to work “for Buddha’s teachings, for sentient beings.”
In 1966, she founded a charity, which later became the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. Its purpose was to “help the poor and educate the rich”—to give material aid to the needy and inspire love and a humanitarian spirit in both the giver and the receiver.
In recent years, Master Cheng Yen’s contributions have been increasingly recognized by the global community. In 2011, she received the Roosevelt Institute’s FDR Distinguished Public Service Award and was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by TIME Magazine.
In 2014, she was presented with the Rotary International Award of Honor in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and contributions to world peace.
In 1966, she founded a charity, which later became the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. Its purpose was to “help the poor and educate the rich”—to give material aid to the needy and inspire love and a humanitarian spirit in both the giver and the receiver.
In recent years, Master Cheng Yen’s contributions have been increasingly recognized by the global community. In 2011, she received the Roosevelt Institute’s FDR Distinguished Public Service Award and was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by TIME Magazine.
In 2014, she was presented with the Rotary International Award of Honor in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and contributions to world peace.
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November 30, 2019noting
April 1, 2016
Very nice to read, powerful message clearly delivered.
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