| Red
Envelope of Blessing and Wisdom |
 |
| (Translated by Mike Lee, Northern
California) |
|
Whenever Chinese New Year approaches, Master
Cheng Yen takes the income she has received from sales of her
books in the past year and divides it into individual red envelopes
[traditional gifts at Chinese New Year]. She gives them to Tzu
Chi people during the year-end blessing ceremonies around the
island as an expression of her gratitude toward every single Tzu
Chi member, and she blesses them with the hope that they will
cultivate both blessings and wisdom and that their wisdom will
increase each day. These red envelopes are thus called "Red
Envelopes of Blessings and Wisdom."
The contents of the red envelopes often vary,
but they always carry profound meaning. For example, in 1993,
the Master prepared two kinds of envelopes. One contained six
five-yuan coins, representing the six paramitas [perfections]
of giving, the precepts, diligence, tolerance, contemplation and
wisdom. The total value of thirty yuan also represented the three
Immeasurable Learnings: the precepts, contemplation and wisdom.
The other kind of envelope contained five seeds to represent "abundant
harvest." The five seeds included barley to symbolize sincerity,
lotus for unity, a peanut to let blessings and wisdom take root
in the human world, almond for well-being and a happy life, and
a red bean for good fortune and remembrance. In this way, the
Master encouraged and blessed everyone. With these "Red Envelopes
of Blessings and Wisdom," she kindly reminded every Tzu Chi
member to think of these things, and she extended her deepest
good wishes.
In 1997, the "Red Envelopes of Blessings
and Wisdom" contained two American dollars to indicate the
coming globalization of the Tzu Chi missions. From 1998 onward,
the contents became annual specially designed collectible commemorative
coins, in the hope that everyone would participate in the Tzu
Chi missions year after year, generation after generation.
