Since our earliest days, stories have been faithful companions, guiding us through life’s journey. The power of a good story lies in its ability to touch our hearts, inspiring us to grow and bring positive change to ourselves and the world around us. Stories shape our perspective, and in turn, our perspective shapes who we become. Introducing Bodhi Light Tales by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, a monumental 6-volume set available in both English and Chinese. This enchanting collection invites readers to explore the profound teachings of the Buddha and the principles of Humanistic Buddhism. Within its pages, you will discover 120 carefully selected stories centered around the Six Paramitas, also known as the Six Perfections: Generosity, Precept, Patience, Diligence, Meditative Concentration, and Wisdom. Each tale in this collection is accompanied by words of wisdom, offering profound insights that encourage reflection upon the moral lessons conveyed. These stories provide a mirror through which we can examine our own lives and contemplate how these timeless teachings can be applied to our daily existence. In this first volume, you will immerse yourself in the realm of Generosity through a treasury of 20 short stories. Designed to captivate readers of all ages, this book also includes vocabulary lists to assist bilingual readers in fully understanding the essence of each tale. May Bodhi Light Tales illuminate your path as you explore the boundless possibilities of compassion, understanding, and generosity.
Biography of Venerable Master Hsing Yun Venerable Master Hsing Yun was born in 1927 in Jiangdu, Jiangsu Province, China. At the age of 12, he was tonsured by Venerable Master Zhikai in Qixia Temple, Nanjing, with Dajue Temple in Yixing, Jiangsu, as his ancestral temple. He later became the 48th-generation lineage holder of the Linji Chan school. In 1947, he graduated from Jiaoshan Buddhist College, and also trained at various Chan, Pure Land, and Vinaya monasteries, including Jinshan, Qixia, and others. He received a comprehensive Buddhist education in the lineage, teachings, and Vinaya disciplines. Later on, the Venerable Master was invited to serve as the principal of Baita Elementary School, and also the editor-in-chief of Raging Billows Monthly. In the spring of 1949, the Venerable Master arrived in Taiwan. He served as the editor-in-chief of Human Life Magazine, Buddhism Today Magazine, and Awakening the World. In 1967, the Venerable Master founded the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, with the Four Objectives: to propagate the Dharma through culture; to foster talents through education; to benefit society through charity, and to purify people’s minds through spiritual cultivation. Guided by the principles of Humanistic Buddhism, he went on to establish over three hundred temples worldwide. Additionally, he oversaw the creation of various art galleries, libraries, publishing companies, bookstores, the Merit Times newspaper, and the Cloud and Water Mobile Clinic. Furthermore, he established sixteen Buddhist colleges and founded three high schools and five universities, including the University of the West in the United States, Fo Guang University in Taiwan, Nanhua University in Taiwan, Nan Tien Institute in Australia, and Guang Ming College in the Philippines. Notably, he also established the Institute of Humanistic Buddhism. In 1970, the Venerable Master established Da Ci Children’s Home and the Lanyang Ren Ai Senior Citizen’s Home, providing shelter and care for vulnerable young children, and elderly individuals. He also actively engaged in emergency relief efforts, contributing to the fostering of a welfare society. Then, in 1991, he founded the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) and was elected as the President of the World Headquarters. Under his guidance, the association's mission expanded, symbolized by the saying, “the Buddha’s Light shining over three thousand realms, and the Dharma water flowing continuously through the five continents.” In 1977, the Fo Guang Buddhist Canon, the Fo Guang Dictionary of Buddhism, and the 132-volume Selected Chinese Buddhist Texts in Modern Language were compiled. In 2017, the Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun was published, comprising 365 volumes with over 30 million words, systematically expounding the ideologies, teachings, theories, and practical outcomes of Humanistic Buddhism. In 2023, the Venerable Master peacefully passed away, his virtuous deeds complete and fulfilled, having reached the age of ninety-seven. He was revered as the Founding Master of the Fo Guang Order, and he left behind this poignant poem:
A mind with the compassionate vow to deliver sentient beings, A body like a boat on the Dharma ocean, unbound. Should you ask what I have achieved in this lifetime? Peace and happiness shine upon the five continents.
Bodhi Light Tales is a captivating 6-volume collection of stories focused on the Six Paramitas, narrated by the revered Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Originally published in Chinese as Xingyun shuoyu (星雲說喻), these Buddhist Tales by Venerable Master Hsing Yun emerged from his enlightening talks and lectures on Humanistic Buddhism. In 2019, we took the initiative to adapt these stories into English as an ongoing audiobook series for the Bodhi Light Tales Anchor Podcast channel. However, our ultimate vision has always been to present them in a book format. As the original stories were concise and lacked additional details, the English adaptations were intentionally modified from the Chinese. In essence, the English tales are not direct translations of their original Chinese counterparts. To ensure that readers of all ages, faiths, beliefs, and cultures can connect with these stories, we employed several key approaches during the transition from Chinese to English, which we will elaborate on below. To make the main characters more relatable, we added background information such as their names, occupations, and personalities. Thorough research was conducted to maintain historical and factual accuracy. We hope this additional information will help readers delve deeper into their favorite characters and even encourage further exploration. Furthermore, we made certain adaptations to account for cultural differences. For instance, in one of the stories, using chopsticks was originally featured, but we replaced it with forks in the English version to resonate with English-speaking readers. Similarly, silk brocade bags known as “jin nang” (錦囊) in the original tales were transformed into envelopes. These adjustments were made to ensure that the stories remain relatable to English readers. Each tale concludes with a summary of its morals, providing readers with a clear understanding of the story’s meaning and key lessons. These summaries highlight challenges people face in today's world and offer practical applications for daily life. Additionally, we included Dharma Words from Venerable Master Hsing Yun at the end of each story, offering readers a final nugget of wisdom to take away. These quotes were carefully selected based on their relevance to the moral of each story. Venerable Master Hsing Yun originally shared these words of encouragement and advice based on his life experiences, aiming to inspire mindfulness and guide individuals in times of uncertainty. Remember, Buddha-nature resides within all of us, regardless of whether we practice Buddhism or not. Both children and adults have the power to better themselves and positively impact the world around them. Our sincere hope is that these stories will inspire people of all ages, instilling in them a sense of inspiration, courage, and compassion. May this collection serve as a source of inspiration as you navigate through life’s journey toward self-awakening!
五指爭大 A Respectful Heart Is the Buddha’s Heart 有一天，五根手指頭召開小組會議，彼此爭相做老大。首先，大拇指威風凜凜地說：「我是老大！只要我大拇指豎起來，就是最大、最好的象徵。所以，你們都要聽我的！」 食指聽了不服氣，反駁說：「民以食為天，人類品嘗美味的時候，都是先用我嘗味道的。尤其我還是一個指揮，只要我的手比向東，人們就往東；比向西，人們就往西。所以你們都應該聽我的，我最大！」
One day, the five fingers of a hand were having a chat, and one of them asked, “Of the five of us, who is the leader?” The Thumb was the first to answer, “Of course I am the leader, because when people give a signal¹ of approval2 to what is good or best, they would put me up and hide the rest of you in a fist. That is also why a “thumbs up” is given to what people approve of. So of course, I am the leader!” said the Thumb proudly. The Index Finger was not convinced3, “If someone wants to get people’s attention, they don’t stick out their thumb, do they? No, they raise me. And, when it comes to tasting food - which finger do they use to dab4 the bowl or the dish for a delicious taste? Me! Without me, you would never know what good food is. Without me, you could end up with bad food. That is why I’m the leader. I am vital5 to your survival.” The Middle Finger laughed and said, “Look I am in the middle, I am the tallest and so the biggest. By virtue6 of my size alone, you should listen to me, and this means I should be the leader.” The Ring Finger smiled gently, “You all make good points. But you forget that when people get married, they slip7 the wedding ring on me. So I am clearly the most important. I am the one who gets all the diamond rings and jewelry. This means I am the most valuable among you all, and that is why I am the leader. How can you others compare8?” concluded the Ring Finger. The Thumb and the three fingers continued to argue9, each thinking they were the greatest, and therefore the rightful leader. After a while, they turned to the Little Finger, who had not said a word throughout the conversation, “You’ve been awfully10 quiet. Who do you think is the greatest among us and therefore the leader of the hand? Who do you think should be the boss?” The Little Finger looked at them all in turn and said quietly, “Well, I am the smallest finger, few people put rings on me, or hold me in the air or use me to taste food, and no one uses me in a gesture11 of approval. Also, I am the last finger. So, I would not dare12 to compare myself with any of you.” Just as the other fingers gloated13 in satisfaction over the Little Finger’s reply, it continued, “However, when people join their palms and bow14 to the Buddha and the Sages, I am the closest.” Then, the other fingers and the thumb nodded15 quietly and wasted no more time on this question. In life, we often see people competing to be the leader. Some will point to their status16, wealth, or beauty as to why they should be the leader. However, status, power, or position are not the real qualities of leadership or even necessarily the signs of the best leader. What makes a person stand out as a leader is how they treat and deal with others. Do they act with patience17 and compassion? Do they respect and consider others? If your heart is big enough to embrace18 all members of your family, you are capable19 of being the head of the family. If your heart is big enough to accept a city and all its people, then you have the ability to be its mayor. If your heart is big enough to carry all the people of your country, and you act with consideration20 and compassion for all the citizens, then you are capable of becoming the president or the leader. If your heart can accept and encompass21 the Earth or even the entire Three Thousand Realms22, then your heart will be in perfect harmony with the Buddha’s heart. Just remember, every noble23 and respected person started from humble24 beginnings. A respectful25 heart is the Buddha’s Heart.
星雲大師法語 Dharma Words by Venerable Master Hsing Yun 心中要有根，才能開花結果；心中要有願，才能成就事業； 心中要有理，才能走遍天下；心中要有主，才能立處皆真； 心中要有德，才能涵容萬物；心中要有道，才能擁有一切。 Having roots in your heart, you can blossom and bear fruit; Having a vow in your heart, you can advance business affairs; Having reason in your heart, you can travel all over the world; Having clarity of view in your mind, you can stand true; Having virtue in your heart, you can tolerate all things; Having the Way in your heart, you can embrace everything.
Once upon a time, there was a CEO named Richard. Under his skilled management, his business grew steadily. Richard was a serious and stern1 man. At work, everyone knew of his high expectations and his sharp eye for details. At home, Richard likewise showed no affection2 toward his wife, nor did he ever praise her. They had been married for more than ten years with no children. Every day, Jane would carefully prepare delicious food for Richard. She would always make him three-course meals, hoping to impress3 him. However, Richard never appreciated4 or praised her efforts. Instead, he simply ate the food in silence and then left to concern5 himself with work or other things. One day, Richard was home for lunch. Jane had cooked a steamed duck especially for him. When they were both seated, Richard reached for the food but, as he was about to pick up the drumstick6, he realized something strange, so he turned to his wife, “Don’t ducks usually have two legs? Why is there only one drumstick on this plate?” “Oh...Didn’t you know that all the ducks raised in this house only have one leg?” Jane replied. Dumbfounded7, Richard said, “Utter8 nonsense9! Ducks ALWAYS have two legs, how can they have only one?” “If you don’t believe me, we can go to the backyard and take a look,” said Jane. Richard immediately10 put down his chopsticks and got up, “Sure! Let’s go now.” “All right!” Jane said. Making their way to the backyard, Jane quietly opened the gate, as the ducks were sleeping. As expected, all of them stood on one leg, so Jane said proudly, “See! I told you that our ducks only have one leg!” Richard smiled, but also had a trick up his sleeve11. He slowly raised his hands and then started clapping, “Clap! Clap! Clap!” All the ducks woke up in shock, and immediately ran around like crazy, not knowing what had just happened. Richard turned to his wife and said smugly12, “Do you see? Our ducks DO have two legs, not one!” Jane was prepared to use this opportunity to say what she had long held back, “Can’t YOU see that only by applauding13 will these ducks have two legs!! This story highlights that giving others praise is very important. Who in this world does not like to be praised and acknowledged14 by others? For a family to be happy and harmonious15, it requires every member of the family to come together to make it so. For a loving couple, as in this story, a husband must praise his wife, letting her know that she is the most beautiful and kind woman in the world. A wife must, in turn, let her husband know that he is the most capable16 and willing man in the world. Without a doubt, if we respond to each other in kind ways with praise and acknowledgments, the relationship may last for a lifetime. Often when we interact17 with others, we like to cut to the chase18. However, if we speak kindly and with encouragement19, such words become powerful, surpassing20 any physical strength.
VOCABULARY 1. stern (adj.) 嚴肅的 2. affection (n.) 感情；愛情 3. impress (v.) 留下深刻印象 4. appreciated (v.) 欣賞；感激 5. concern (v.) 關心 6. drumstick (n.) 雞腿 7. dumbfounded (adj.) 目瞪口呆的 8. utter (adj.) 絕對；完全 9. nonsense (n.) 胡說；胡扯 10. immediately (adv.) 立刻；立即 11. had a trick trick up his sleeve (phrase) 暗中留有一招；使出招 12. smugly (adv.) 自鳴得意地 13. applauding (v.) 稱讚；讚賞 14. acknowledged (v.) 公認；承認 15. harmonious (adj.) 和睦的；和諧的 16. capable (adj.) 有能力的；能幹的 17. interact (v.) 交流；互動 18. cut to the chase (phrase) 切入正題 19. encouragement (n.) 鼓勵 20. surpassing (v.) 超越；勝過 星雲大師法語 Dharma Words by Venerable Master Hsing Yun 一束鮮花，不如一臉微笑。 一杯清水，不如一念清明。 一曲音樂，不如一句好話。 一首詩歌，不如一聲讚歎。 Better a smile than a fragrant flower. Better a thought than clear water. Better a poem than a symphony. Better a praise than poetry.
五指爭大 A Respectful Heart Is the Buddha’s Heart 有一天，五根手指頭召開小組會議，彼此爭相做老大。首先，大拇指威風凜凜地說：「我是老大！只要我大拇指豎起來，就是最大、最好的象徵。所以，你們都要聽我的！」 食指聽了不服氣，反駁說：「民以食為天，人類品嘗美味的時候，都是先用我嘗味道的。尤其我還是一個指揮，只要我的手比向東，人們就往東；比向西，人們就往西。所以你們都應該聽我的，我最大！」
隨後，中指不可一世地說：「在五根手指當中， 我居中、我最長，你們都應該聽命於我才對！」
優雅的無名指接著就說...
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目錄
Bodhi Light Tales:Volume 1 Biography of Venerable Master Hsing Yun 星雲大師簡介 Editor’s Introduction 編者序 How to Use This Book 如何使用本書
Stories 01. A Respectful Heart Is the Buddha's Heart 五指爭大 02. Compassion Is Like a Bridge 慈悲如橋 03. Jealousy, Thy Name Is Weakness 師父的腿 04. The Four Envelopes 四個錦囊 05. The Wooden Bowl 木碗的故事 06. Life-Saving 救媳婦 07. One-Legged Duck 鴨子一條腿 08. The Royal Beggar 乞女變皇后 09. A Bowl of Noodles 一碗麵 10. The Happy Mom Washing Machine 媽媽樂 11. A Loving Son 兒子最好 12. A Night Out 沙彌夜遊 13. A Boy's Offering 小兒施土 14. Offering the Light 貧女一燈 15. The Painters 畫師作畫 16. Praying for Wealth 求富 17. The Queen's Ring 皇后的戒指 18. Heaven and Hell 天堂地獄的筷子 19. A Generous Donation 銀貨兩訖 20. Offering a Bun 羅漢與包子
Bodhi Light Tales:Volume 1 Biography of Venerable Master Hsing Yun 星雲大師簡介 Editor’s Introduction 編者序 How to Use This Book 如何使用本書
Stories 01. A Respectful Heart Is the Buddha's Heart 五指爭大 02. Compassion Is Like a Bridge 慈悲如橋 03. Jealousy, Thy Name Is Weakness 師父的腿 04. The Four Envelopes 四個錦囊 05. The Wooden Bowl 木碗的故事 06. Life-Saving 救媳婦 07. One-Legged Duck 鴨子一條腿 08. The Royal Beggar 乞女變皇后 09. A Bowl of Noodles 一碗麵 10. Th...
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