Table of Contents



Acknowledgments.....................................................................iv

About Venerable Master Hsing Yun..........................................viii?

Translator’s Introduction...........................................................x

Foreword: The Kaleidoscope of Life.........................................xiii?

1.? ? To Be Needed by Others............................................................1

2.? ? Ten Exceptional Qualities of Women........................................5

3.? ? Six Points for the Self................................................................11

4.? ? Ten Ways to Be Victorious in Life.............................................15

5.? ? Human Relationships.................................................................19

6.? ? Types of People..........................................................................23

7.? ? Emotional States........................................................................27

8.? ? The Art of Interpersonal Relationships......................................31

9.? ? The Art of Verbal Expression ...................................................35

10.? ? The Myriad Experiences in Life................................................39

11.? ? The Great Person.......................................................................43

12.? ? Things to Avoid..........................................................................47

13.? ? Rootedness.................................................................................51

14.? ? Truly Outstanding......................................................................55

15.? ? Unsettled....................................................................................59

16.? ? Breakups....................................................................................63

17.? ? One’s Inner Circle......................................................................67

18.? ? The Undefeated..........................................................................71

19.? ? Radiance....................................................................................75

20.? ? Four Kinds of Friends................................................................79

21.? ? Saying No to Others...................................................................83

22.? ? Impairments...............................................................................87

23.? ? Branding Your Life....................................................................91

24.? ? Autonomy..................................................................................95

25.? ? Renewing Oneself......................................................................99

26.? ? Kindred Spirit............................................................................103

27.? ? What Do Men Want?.................................................................107

28.? ? Expressing Yourself...................................................................111

29.? ? Factors of Success......................................................................115

30.? ? The Good Person.......................................................................119

31.? ? The Frustrations of Being Famous ...........................................125

32.? ? Six Ways of Cultivating Friendships.........................................129

33.? ? Impressions................................................................................133

34.? ? Companions...............................................................................137

35.? ? The Wisdom of Discernment.....................................................141

36.? ? Being Together...........................................................................145

37.? ? The Noble and the Petty............................................................149

38.? ? A Kindred Spirit Friendship.......................................................153

39.? ? The Kind of Person to Be..........................................................157

40.? ? The Kind of Vision to Have.......................................................161

41.? ? The Art of Expression................................................................165

42.? ? Visiting Etiquette.......................................................................169

43.? ? The Minimum Ability to Live....................................................173

44.? ? Renewing Our Heart..................................................................177

45.? ? Being Disliked...........................................................................181

46.? ? Sensitivity..................................................................................185

47.? ? Treating Others..........................................................................189

48.? ? The Art of Getting Along...........................................................193

49.? ? Hero...........................................................................................197

50.? ? A Good Person...........................................................................201

51.? ? The People Around Us...............................................................205

52.? ? The Many Faces of a Smile.......................................................209

53.? ? The Kind of Person Everyone Dislikes.....................................213

54.? ? Ten Failures in Being a Person..................................................217

55.? ? Be the Best Version of Yourself.................................................221

56.? ? Deviation....................................................................................225

57.? ? Compassionate Restraint...........................................................229

58.? ? Progress......................................................................................233

59.? ? Graduation.................................................................................237



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Foreword: The Kaleidoscope of Life?

by Venerable Master Hsing Yun



　　The Many Matters of Life is my third front-page column written for The Merit Times 人間福報, following Between Ignorance and Enlightenment 《迷悟之間》 and Dharma Words from Venerable Master Hsing Yun 《星雲法語》. As the title suggests, “The Many Matters of Life” embraces all facets of the human world—exploring the highs and lows of human emotion, the complexities of morality, the dualities of good and evil, and offering insights into the changing conditions of family, society, the cosmos, and the profound mysteries of life itself.



　　With the new year, I am pleased to see these reflections compiled into a book. Tsai Meng-Hua, Executive Director of Gandha Samudra Cultural Enterprise, has taken on the task of collecting and editing the articles, and remarked that the series resembles a “kaleidoscope of life.” Each piece provides readers with a lens through which to understand life’s deeper meanings, to uncover its inner design, and to navigate the world through the lens of Buddhist wisdom—finding beauty and insight in the ever-changing colors of human experience.



　　People often say life is a complex and difficult subject, but in essence, it can be distilled into two main themes: birth and death. The value of life lies in love; the meaning of life lies in cherishing. Where there is love, there is life. Where there is love, there is vitality, continuity, and presence. Life does not begin at birth nor end at death. It is beginningless and endless, without boundaries inside or out. Life is dynamism, utility, and relationship. Through our vibrant actions and energy, we connect and interact with the world around us.



　　Modern society, too, is a living kaleidoscope. People come in all kinds: wise and foolish, rich and poor, tall and short, young and old, men and women. Faces, personalities, and behaviors are endlessly diverse. Life events range from trivial to profound, virtuous to wicked, personal to national. Society is filled with organizations, languages, schools, shops, and goods. When viewed closely, life appears dazzling and overwhelming, just like a kaleidoscope, filled with ever-shifting scenes.



　　However, because our wisdom is limited and our observation incomplete, we are often disoriented by this vibrant spectacle. Overwhelmed by complexity, we lose sight of what is essential. It is my hope that through this collection, The Many Matters of Life, readers will be able to reflect on the wide range of human affairs and, within them, find their truest self.



　　This series is filled with meaning and stories. It offers knowledge and insight, metaphor and explanation, analysis and reflection. By exploring life from many angles, it seeks to present new perspectives and cultivate right understanding. My purpose in writing these short articles has been to vividly portray the conditions of the human world and the reality of sentient beings. I hope that amid moments of light-hearted reading, readers may also be inspired to contemplate life’s deeper truths and uncover new ways to overcome life’s challenges.



　　I am deeply grateful to Chang Tso-Chin, advisor to the United Daily News; esteemed scholars Prof. Yan Chongnian, Prof. Chen Yi-An, Prof. Lin Shui-Fu, and Prof. Cheng Sher-Yan; acclaimed authors Yu Chian-Kuei, Lee Wei-Wen, Ou Yin-Chuan, Lin Liang, Hsieh Peng-Hsiong, and Huang Chun-Ming; as well as Principal Ou Zong-Zhi, all of whom graciously provided forewords for this series. I express my heartfelt thanks.

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