本叢書收錄證嚴法師針對各類疑問的解惑及開示數千則，年代最早是一九八〇年蔣經國總統至花蓮靜思精舍拜訪，法師說明慈濟功德會救濟的對象、範圍和運作；最近是今年二〇二一年四月，臺鐵太魯閣號在花蓮發生出軌重大傷亡事故，法師對在第一時間投入現場關懷服務的慈濟志工，表達人傷我痛的悲憫。史料前後長達四十一年，跨越了兩個世紀。 第一冊為生老病死篇。生死是很自然的現象，要看得開、放得下，不要掛礙，也不要執著。雖然生命有限，慧命卻是永恆。學佛要看淡生死，滋養慧命；要去除心中的雜質污染，回歸天真的清淨本性。 This book series contains thousands of Master Cheng Yen’s teachings or responses to questions on all sorts of matters. The earliest teaching documented in this series was given in 1980, when then president, Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo, visited the Jing Si Abode in Hualien. During this visit, Master Cheng Yen shared about the groups Tzu Chi Merit Association helped, the kinds of help provided, and its operating process. The most recent teaching was given in April 2021, after a Taroko Express train operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration derailed in and caused serious casualties. Master Cheng Yen expressed her empathy and compassion to the volunteers who went to the accident site right after the incident to provide help. The historical materials span as long as forty-one years and across two centuries. Volume One covers topics on living and dying. Life and death are natural phenomena. When we look at them with a broader perspective, we will be able to let them go. As such, we can be unhindered and unattached. Though life is limited, wisdom life lasts forever. Thus, for Buddhist practitioners, life and death can be taken more lightly; it is more important to nourish our wisdom life. We must eradicate the defilements in our minds and return to our innocent, pure, intrinsic nature.

Introduction (內容簡介) The Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra teaches the Bodhisattva Way, which is the original intent of all buddhas in opening the provisional to reveal the true. It is the Middle Way where matters and principles are in harmony; it is the perfect teaching of wondrous existence in true emptiness. It is the king of all sutras, the ultimate reality of the One Vehicle, and the one teaching that leads to buddhahood. The Lotus Sutra consists of Twenty-Eight Chapters, divided into three parts: Preface, Main Teachings, and Transmission. The Introductory Chapter is the Preface. The Jing Si Dharma Essence of the Wondrous Lotus Sutra combines the wondrous meanings of the sutra text with Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s notes as she explains the Dharma. The two parts connect and complement each other, skillfully explaining the Dharma in subtle and wondrous detail and revealing the wondrous state of the extremely profound true Dharma. 《妙法蓮華經》旨在教菩薩法，乃開權顯實之諸佛本懷，是事理圓融之中道，是真空妙有之圓教，為諸經之王，一乘實相，成佛唯一之教。 《法華經》共二十八品，入文為三︰初序分，二正宗分，三流通分。本書〈序品第一〉為序分。 《靜思法髓妙蓮華》融會經文妙義與證嚴法師之講法手札，此兩部分相連貫、互呼應，宛轉委曲、微妙細膩，顯示法華經真實甚深法藏之奧祕境界。

With her concept of “Even fifty cents can save a life,” Dharma Master Cheng Yen began to challenge people’s conceptions of the impossible. A group of ordinary housewives were the first to believe in and follow her. The major organization that Tzu Chi is today began with this group of housewives. While lodging at Puming Temple, despite having nothing to her name, she was driven by one simple but resolute belief: “If I eat until I am eighty percent full, I can save the remaining twenty percent to help those in need.” With this hardworking and frugal mindset, Master Cheng Yen and her disciples overcame countless hardships to expand their charity work. She explained, “I have faith in my own selflessness and faith in the love of others. I established the Tzu Chi Merit Association not for my own sake, but ‘for Buddha’s teachings and for sentient beings.’ I believe that everyone has an abundance of love in their hearts. As long as there is someone to guide them, they can exercise their power of kindness.” Volume 2 (1966-1977): The beginnings of Tzu Chi’s charity mission.

《靜思語第一集》編彙證嚴上人的智慧法語，書中第一部之靜思語，字字珠璣，蘊含證嚴上人的智慧法語，引導讀者反思，並藉以在生活中實踐佛法，不論是第一次接觸上人法語或是已然熟悉的讀者，都能將其應用在日常生活中，點亮人生的道路。第二部，則集結證嚴上人隨緣開示的問答，生活中的煩惱與疑慮，都可以善用上人的智慧妙解。 世界各地之慈濟志工不但將靜思語用在學校的品格教育、用來鼓勵啟發有需要的人、進而接引人人走向佛法的康莊大道。 《靜思語第一集》英文版最初出版於1996年，於2014年再版。此第三版為翻譯團隊重新潤飾，使英文更貼近英文為母語讀者的閱讀習慣。誠心期盼讀者在閱讀此書時心靈獲得滋潤與啟發。 Still Thoughts, Volume One comprises the distilled wisdom of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, presented in concise passages. These succinct aphorisms, found in the initial section of the book, are imbued with profound insights, inviting readers to introspect. Perfect for daily contemplation and practice, they offer brief yet impactful teachings to illuminate one's spiritual journey, whether one is new to or already familiar with Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s teachings. The second segment features inquiries from volunteers or visitors concerning common life situations. Dharma Master Cheng Yen addresses these queries with profound insight, drawing upon the wisdom of the Buddha Dharma. Worldwide, Tzu Chi volunteers utilize these aphorisms as the basis for character education classes in schools, to offer solace and encouragement to those in distress, and to help themselves navigate toward a more profound understanding of the Dharma. Originally published in 1996 and revised in 2014, Still Thoughts, Volume One now appears in its third edition, updated to meet contemporary translation standards. It is our sincere aspiration that within these pages, you will discover wisdom and inspiration that enriches your life and the lives of those around you.

The Spirit of Great Love Volume Two (original Chinese) was published in 2003 during the SARS outbreak: the topics are "Rich vs. Poor," "Desire and Faith," "Wisdom and Life," "Time," and "Good Deeds and Happiness." In this collection of short stories from the past and present, Dharma Master Cheng Yen guides us in finding joy in our relationships and facing everything in life with a sense of ease. Everyone is inherently pure. As the pandemic spreads, it’s admirable to see many people courageously giving. If everyone could harmoniously coexist with nature, we would return to the moral order of humility, reverence, vigilance, and civility. This is not only the key to preventing disease; it is the strength that keeps society stable.

這本書是在教我們怎麼當一位菩薩。內容取材自證嚴法師二○○五年九至十一月間晨語開示，起於《慈悲三昧水懺》中「或因六行造一切罪」一句懺文。懺文中的「六行」意指偏差修行的「外道六行」，而法師為了撥亂反正，釋文當中同時仔細介紹了「佛之六行」，作為外道六行的對照，並為我們指出了正確的修行方向。 「佛之六行」展開來即「菩薩五十二位階」，是修行者學習當菩薩最重要的指引。因此，特別將這段內容由《水懺》講記中獨立出來，讓大家一書在手，學習不愁。看了這本書，讀者會知道要當一位菩薩可能遇到的困難，也知道如何堅定自己的心志，等到具足了信心願力，您也可以是一位菩薩。 This book teaches us how to be a bodhisattva. Its content is drawn from Master Cheng Yen’s morning lecture from September to November, 2005, in which she taught about a passage from the Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance. The passage reads, “We have engaged in all wrongdoing because of the six heretical practices.” For the sake of clarity, Master gave a detailed explanation of the Buddha’s Six Sets of Practices to stand in contrast with the six heretical practices and show us the correct direction for our spiritual practice. The Buddha’s Six Sets of Practices are the fifty-two stages of bodhisattvas. They form the most important guide for spiritual practitioners learning to become bodhisattvas. Therefore, we singled out this passage from the Water Repentance text so that everyone could have it in hand and learn from it with ease. After reading this book, you will be aware of the hardships you might encounter as a bodhisattva, and you will learn how to stand firm in your resolve. Once you are replete in faith and the power of vows, you can also become a bodhisattva.

人生的煩惱歸結起來，不離家庭、事業和感情，究其根源，則不外多欲多求——名利、物欲、愛情、親情，永遠都在無止境的追求中，渾然不覺自己生活在人間，而人間事原本就無法事事如意啊！ 本書收羅證嚴法師與眾生歷年之問答，話題包含信仰、病苦、往生處理、經營理財以及持家等。書中文字啟發人人本有的智慧，學得少欲知足，身心自然輕安自在。 What people worry about can often be summarized into three categories: family, business, and relationships. Greed and desire are often the root cause of people’s worries. People tirelessly pursue fame and fortune, material goods, family love, and romantic relationships, yet they completely forget that they live in the human world, where one cannot have everything as one wishes! This book compiled questions and responses over the years between Dharma Master Cheng Yen and disciples or visitors: the questions may be about faith, suffering of illness, managing wealth, managing the household, etc. The words in this book will inspire people to bring out their inherent wisdom and learn to have fewer desires, so they will be able to live peaceful lives.

本書收錄了證嚴法師所講述之真實人生故事以及佛典故事。正如證嚴法師所說：「心寬是善，念純是美，心寬念純能令人歡喜，也就是人文的根本。」期待本書可以啟發更多發心菩薩，秉持真誠的愛心、純真寬大的心胸而付出，共同成就美善人間。 This book includes stories from the Buddha’s time and instances from daily life. Master Cheng Yen says, “A spacious heart is goodness, and pure thoughts are beauty. An open heart and pure thoughts bring joy and are the foundation of our humanistic culture.” She hopes that there will be more aspiring bodhisattvas who hold onto sincere love and benefit others with pure and open hearts. In doing so, we can create a world of goodness and beauty together.