Then the manager of the shop asked me, "Do you know that it will cost fifty dollars?" I said, "That's all right! It'll be worthwhile if it can make the kids happy." I gave him a hundred dollars and said, "In case fifty dollars is not enough, you can cover the expenses with the other fifty. Please make sure that the children get the bed today. Christmas is coming and it's important to make children happy. I love children; can I entrust this job to you, please?" He said, "Sure, no problem!" Then I quickly slipped away. Originally I had intended to buy a sofa for my dogs, but under the circumstances I dared not stay (Master and audience laugh), and left without looking for it."
The children kept coming around to ask for information such as my phone number, saying that they would like to send a thank-you card, etc. But I said, "No, no! It's really not necessary." If we allow people to send thank-you cards each time, our mailbox will be too small! (Master laughs.) I slipped away as soon as I gave the money, feeling very happy. The children's happiness was infectious.
When we were little, we'd feel terrific if we could have something we liked right away! If we had to wait a couple of months for it, who knows what changes could have occured during that period of time, right? (Audience: Yes.) And it was Christmastime, too! Their mother didn't say she wouldn't buy the bed; she already loved her children very much. It was just that I felt they didn't seem to be very well off. That was why when I offered to pay for the transportation, they were amazed beyond speech. I simply said, "I love children; besides, it's Christmastime." So, they thanked me repeatedly, and I replied, "No, no! It's I who should thank you because you gave me this opportunity to make myself very happy." It was truly so.
Therefore, when we have an opportunity to help others, we should thank those at the receiving end. I was truly grateful to them for giving me the chance to help the two children and make them happy. Some people are skeptical about your intentions and don't accept help readily. Besides, the manager was very cooperative. It was like everyone supported the idea, making me feel very easy and comfortable.
Thus, helping others is not a responsibility, but a great honor that brings you immense joy. I was very happy that entire day. (Master laughs.) (Disciple: But the mere thought of so many people needing help makes me tired.) No, it doesn't have to. Where do you see so many people in need? You help when you see someone in need. We can't help the whole world, and even if we did, there are still beings in hell, and then there are animals! Just do whatever is necessary at present, and it's all right to do one thing at a time. You don't have to think that you'll have to do ten things. If you find someone who needs help today, and if you're capable, just help; if not, then just be supportive in your mind.
Like in the example I gave just now, we could also have told the mother, "Oh! This is really a nice bed so do whatever you can to give it to the kids!" This is fine, too; we don't have to offer money. If we have a supportive heart, making them happy and giving them encouragement, that's also good. If they had failed to buy it that day, it would have also been all right. You could tell the children, "Never mind! One month is very short and passes very quickly, and then you'll have it." You can try to encourage people and you should really want to do it. You don't have to force yourself to interfere in any situation, no, no! Do it naturally. God incidentally gave me the opportunity that day so I felt very smooth doing it, very happy inside. I was really very happy to help! If in case I couldn't help at that time, I would feel very sorry. Because the thought of the two kids going home empty-handed and unable to get the bed until a month later would have made me feel very uncomfortable at heart. So I was delighted to be able to do it then!
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