Don’t let a narrow mindset hinder the journey of good deeds

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Yicheng · Jan 17, 2025
On the journey of advancing public welfare, we often encounter the criticism: “Your charity seems too religious.” This is a classic example of a narrow perspective—one that is influenced by bias, limitations, or even misunderstanding, and fails to truly consider the viewpoint of those involved in charitable efforts. To better explain our original intentions, it […]

On the journey of advancing public welfare, we often encounter the criticism: “Your charity seems too religious.” This is a classic example of a narrow perspective—one that is influenced by bias, limitations, or even misunderstanding, and fails to truly consider the viewpoint of those involved in charitable efforts. To better explain our original intentions, it is necessary to offer a clarification, and we hope that every reader can approach the journey of kindness with a broader perspective.

I. The essence of Yicheng welfare

Our commitment has been clear from the beginning. That is to pursue welfare and happiness for everyone, and to promote civilization for the world.

Since day one, our cause has been grounded in this belief. What’s truly thought-provoking, however, is that over the years, all of our funding and support have come, without exception, from the strength of people with religious faiths or spiritual beliefs—those who are committed to turning their faith, love, and kindness into tangible actions. Through their sincerity and dedication, they have helped advance our mission, spreading happiness and promoting civilization.

Unfortunately, up until now, we have not received support from those identified as “civilized individuals” or “non-believers.” In fact, this type of support has been absent.

II. Why does kindness require the basis of faith?

The path of kindness is never a smooth one. It requires unwavering belief, inner strength, and selfless dedication—qualities that faith provides. Kindness without the support of faith often lacks lasting motivation and struggles to endure the pressures and challenges of reality.

The supporters of our organization are willing to persist in doing good in this complex world precisely because of their deep faith. They understand that charity is not an easy task and may even involve sacrifice, yet they are still willing to shoulder this responsibility.

Here we would like to share a story.

A painter was interviewed by a host. The host candidly told him, “I don’t like your paintings at all, and I don’t think you’re a good artist.”

The painter smiled calmly and replied, “You’re right, and that’s exactly why I need to keep striving.”

This story teaches us that when faced with external doubt and misunderstanding, the important thing is not to argue, but to stay loyal to our beliefs and respond through actions. Our cause, much like the painter’s work, may not be understood by everyone, but that will not stop us from pursuing happiness and civilization. The voices of doubt will not hold us back; instead, they serve as a source of motivation for us to keep striving and improving.

III. Don’t judge our world through your narrow perspective

On the path of charity, we sometimes have to face not just challenges but also external misunderstanding and even hostile criticism. Some people try to use their own experiences, perspectives, and logic to make sense of our world and social issues, but such reasoning often lacks validity.

The reality of kindness is far more complex than they imagine. In some places, working to benefit society can come with the constant threat of losing one’s life. This isn’t an exaggeration. It’s the harsh reality many people involved in public welfare face. So, trying to understand the essence of charity through personal logic, without considering the deep faith and sense of mission behind it, only leads to distorted conclusions.

IV. Let kindness overcome the constraints of a limited view

In the face of these misunderstandings, we will not give up or back down. We believe that true kindness is not limited by narrow personal views, but is a force that can break through prejudice and cross boundaries.

Charity initiatives require not only the support of people of faiths and beliefs but also the understanding and participation of everyone. Each person has the choice to approach charity with an open mind, rather than criticizing and rejecting it with a narrow perspective.

No matter how the outside world evaluates us, we will continue to rely on the strength of our faith to stay true to the path of doing good. Just like the painter’s calm response to the host, doubt will only drive us to work harder, not retreat.

The meaning of public welfare lies in seeking happiness for all and civilization for the world. Through our actions, we hope to inspire more people to recognize and practice kindness, regardless of their faith, because kindness should be a universal value that transcends all boundaries.

Conclusion

Don’t allow personal narrow views to hinder kindness, and never let bias and misunderstanding diminish the efforts of those who contribute to public welfare. The world needs more understanding, support, and faith to unite in driving the progress of human happiness and civilization.

We are still on the journey, even though the road is fraught with challenges. Our belief remains unchanged: to seek welfare for all and civilization for the world. We firmly believe that true kindness is a light that is unafraid of doubt and sacrifice, one that will penetrate all narrowness and illuminate the entire world.

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活出上帝的教義:尋找靈魂的富足

Yicheng · Nov 11, 2024

本文節選於一次志願者談話,做了一定的修改。 講述者是道何。 今天我們對“尋找靈魂的富足”做一探討。 感謝大家的參與和旁聽。 上帝永遠祝福於我們,願我們與上帝同在。 在《馬太福音》中,耶穌在曠野中度過四十天時,魔鬼試圖引誘祂將石頭變成食物,耶穌卻說了這樣的話:“人活著,不是單靠食物,乃是靠上帝口裡所出的每一句話。 “(馬太福音4:4)。 這句話啟發我們去探索真正支撐我們的力量,並指引我們超越物質需求,探索精神上的富足。 在現代社會中,物質慾望越來越容易滿足,人們卻越來越與精神世界脫節。 我們所有人都在追逐更有錢、更豪華的車、更大的房子、更高的分數、升職等等。 當然,這些追求都是正當的,是為了更幸福的生活和社會進步,但真正指引人生方向、維繫人類社會的,實際上是無形的精神力量。 人類的行為總是由潛在的動機所驅動,而這些動機往往源於我們的價值觀。 如果這些動機主要出於自私的慾望,那麼我們就會創造一個每個人只關心自身利益的世界。 而如果這些動機源自上帝的智慧,我們則更有可能在地球上建立一個天堂,或者說上帝的國度。 真正活出上帝的教義,我們就會發現時刻反思自己的行為和選擇。 通過反思,我們能夠修正錯誤,重新指引人生的方向。 即使面對生活中的挑戰和不公,我們也會選擇走正道,而不是隨波逐流。 由此我們能夠認識到人性的弱點,以及靈魂成長的必要性。 活出上帝的教義意味著不再只是被動接受外來環境與文化的影響,而是以道德與正確的價值觀引導自己,積極行動起來去改變外在的環境,這才符合上帝的意志。 上帝的意志就是讓人間變成一個更好的地方,讓社會有一個更加美好的未來。 活出上帝的教義意味著愛自己,還要把你的愛擴及他人與世界。 由這份真摯的愛,我們的能力會得到充分的釋放,做各種各樣能夠利益他人與社會的事情。 這些行動讓你發現自己內在的真愛,發現靈魂深處無盡的力量。 如此生活,我們不止是在活著,而是活出了生命的意義和價值。 遵循上帝的話語,我們能夠激發內在的靈性潛能,成為更好的自己,服務世界,而這正是人生最可貴的一部分。 活出上帝的教義並不意味著犧牲自己成就別人,而是以上帝的智慧引導我們的生活,激勵我們去創造更多利益和財富,這些反過來也將惠及我們自身。 我們可以從以下幾點開始: 我們常常用物質去填補內心的空虛,但耶穌在曠野中面對誘惑時給了我們另一種答案:一種紮根於信仰、活出教義的生活。 讓祂的教義指引我們走上正道,我們才能獲得內心的滋養,走向真正的滿足與幸福。

Living by the Word: Finding True Spiritual Fulfillment

Yicheng · Nov 11, 2024

This is an excerpt of a speech originally in Chinese given to Yicheng volunteers. It is slightly edited and revised. The speaker is Daohe. Today we will explore the topic “seeking fulfillment of the soul”. Thank you for your attendance. God bless us. May God be with us. In the Gospel of Matthew, during Jesus’s […]

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