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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淺談信仰與性格的契合:不同的信仰與性格之間有什麼聯繫?

Yicheng · Oct 23, 2024

信仰不僅僅是一種宗教習慣與文化身份的選擇,更是一種深刻影響人類心理和生活方式的精神力量。不同的信仰體系各具特色,吸引著性格迥異的人群。事實上,心理學和宗教學領域的研究表明,性格與信仰的契合度影響著一個人如何與信仰互動、如何從中獲得意義和指導。本文將基於性格心理學理論,結合具體實例,探討哪些性格特點更適合與佛法、基督教、上帝信仰、道教以及伊斯蘭教的真神信仰相契合。 1. 佛法與沉靜內省的性格 佛教提倡“放下”和“無我”的理念,追求內心的平靜和解脫。因此,性格內向、傾向於自我反省和冥想的人往往更容易與佛法產生共鳴。喜歡獨處並深入思考人生意義的人,往往能更好地接受佛法中對苦、無常和空性的教義。他們通常善於自我反省和冥想,更傾向於在靜思中尋求心靈的安寧。此外,具有高度同情心和關懷他人的性格也與佛教的慈悲理念相契合,因為佛教強調減少他人痛苦,並對所有眾生平等看待。例如,現代社會中許多壓力過大的人通過禪修找到內心的平靜,這反映出佛法在幫助沉靜內省者應對生活挑戰上的獨特作用。此外,心理學家卡爾·榮格(Carl Jung)的性格類型學也提到,內傾型性格的人往往有較強的精神需求,而佛教的自我觀照和冥想正契合這種內在需求。 著名的禪宗大師鈴木大拙(D.T. Suzuki)就是一個內向且對人生意義有深刻思考的人。他通過將佛教禪修引入西方,幫助了許多內傾型的人找到自我安頓之道。 2. 基督教與開放熱情的性格 基督教以「愛」與「寬恕」為核心,鼓勵信徒積極與他人建立深厚的關係,傳播福音。這使得外向、熱情且社交性強的個體容易被其吸引。因此,那些性格外向、熱情、樂於助人並且喜歡與人互動的人,往往更容易在基督教信仰中找到歸屬感。這些人通常善於表達自己的情感,並能夠積極參與教會活動和社會服務。此外,喜歡追求明確目標並遵循規矩的人也能從基督教的教義中獲得精神支持,因為基督教常提供一套清晰的生活指導原則。根據艾森克(Hans Eysenck)的性格理論,外向型性格更喜歡與人互動,容易從社交活動中獲得能量,這類人常能在教會活動和志願服務中找到歸屬感。例如,許多傳教士都是充滿激情的外向型人格,他們不僅擅長傳播基督教的愛與寬恕之道,也能從中獲得情感上的滿足。 特蕾莎修女(Mother Teresa)的例子尤為經典,她不僅以其深刻的信仰感人至深,還透過持續的慈善工作展現了基督教信仰對世界的影響力。她的性格特點正是典型的熱情外向,並且具有極強的同理心和奉獻精神。 3. 上帝信仰與追求真理的性格 上帝信仰,尤其是在猶太教、伊斯蘭教和部分基督教傳統中,強調對絕對真理和超越現實的追求。這種信仰體系吸引著具有強烈求知慾、理性思維發達的人群。那些具有強烈好奇心、喜歡探求哲學問題並尋求終極答案的人,往往對上帝信仰表現出濃厚的興趣。這些人通常富有邏輯思維,能夠接受信仰的理性維度。此外,崇尚道德與正義感強烈的性格也與此類信仰相匹配,因為上帝信仰中對倫理道德有著明確的要求。心理學家喬丹·彼得森(Jordan Peterson)指出,那些具有哲學興趣和邏輯思維能力強的人,往往對上帝信仰表現出濃厚的興趣,因為他們渴望在混沌世界中找到確定性的答案。 例如,著名的科學家艾薩克·牛頓(Isaac Newton)不僅是一位傑出的物理學家,也是虔誠的基督徒,他的上帝信仰為他的科學研究提供了精神動力。牛頓認為,探索自然規律是理解上帝智慧的方式,這一觀點揭示了追求真理的性格與上帝信仰之間的緊密聯繫。 4. 道教與自然瀟灑的性格 性格隨和、喜歡自由的個體通常更容易認同道教的理念。這些人往往不喜歡過於複雜的規則,更傾向於順應自然、享受生活的本真狀態。道教主張順應自然、自我超脫、倡導「無為而治」講究「天人合一」。因此,那些性格隨和、不拘小節且追求內心自由的人,往往與道教有著天然的契合,順應自然、享受生活的本真狀態。道教的思想適合性格中帶有「瀟灑」和「隨性」的人,因為它提倡順其自然、淡泊名利,不強求外界的成就。道教中注重調養生息、追求長生的教義也適合那些重視身心健康與和諧生活的人。心理學中的「開放性」維度也顯示,那些思維開放且崇尚自由的個體對道教的教義更感興趣,因為道教鼓勵人們擺脫社會的束縛,追求自我解放。 例如:老子提出的“道法自然”理念影響深遠,其思想不僅被中國古代哲人所推崇,也引起了許多現代西方學者的興趣,例如英國作家阿爾杜斯·赫胥黎(Aldous Huxley),他在自己的作品中多次探討道教的思想。 5. 真神信仰與紀律嚴明的性格 伊斯蘭教的信仰生活中充滿了嚴格的宗教儀式和生活準則,如每日禮拜、齋戒和慈善捐贈。這些要求對性格自律、紀律嚴明的人格類型來說相對容易接受。他們通常有較高的責任感,願意嚴格遵循信仰規定。 在伊斯蘭教中,對真神的信仰貫穿於生活的各個方面,包括禮拜、禁食和慈善。那些性格自律、重視紀律並善於遵守儀式的人,往往能很好地適應伊斯蘭教的信仰要求。這些人具有較強的責任感和社會義務感,能夠嚴格遵循教義的指引。同時,崇尚集體主義、樂於融入群體的性格也符合伊斯蘭教的價值觀,因為該信仰強調社群的團結和共同的宗教生活。人格心理學中的“盡責性”維度就強調這種性格特點,與伊斯蘭教的行為準則契合度較高。 現代社會中,許多穆斯林通過嚴格的宗教生活找到個人的穩定感和生活意義。如,在一些嚴格遵守宗教義務的穆斯林國家,社會的團結性和宗教儀式的統一性被視為集體信仰力量的體現。 性格特點與信仰的選擇密切相關,適合的信仰能夠為人們的精神生活提供支持和引導。理解不同性格適合的信仰特點,不僅可以幫助個人找到最能讓自己安心的精神家園,還可以促進不同信仰之間多元化的相互理解和包容。在追求信仰的過程中,重要的是對自己的性格特點有清晰的認識,並選擇適合自己心靈成長的信仰之路。希望這篇文章對大家有所幫助。

Exploring The Relationship Between Faith and Personality Traits

Yicheng · Oct 23, 2024

Faith is not only a choice of religious practices and cultural identity, it is also a profound spiritual force that significantly influences human psychology and lifestyle. Each belief system has its own unique characteristics, attracting individuals with varying personality traits. Research in psychology and religious studies has shown that the alignment between a person’s personality […]

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