Bo Shi Ji Zhong (Spread Help and Benefits to as Many People as Possible)
It seems that
there is no teaching in this world that teaches humans to only have ambitions:
to be selfish. Everything asks us to remember each other. The Buddha, for
example, instructed us to do as many things as possible that are beneficial to
others (atthacariya). Because, Hindu teachings remind us that "tat tvam
asi" (he is you). That's why Islam says, "Khoirunnaas anfa'uhum
linnaas" (the best human being is the one who brings benefits to humans).
Perhaps that is why Budi Endarto, the chancellor of Wijaya Putra University,
Surabaya, always warns himself to be a person who "provides benefits to
society." The method is as advised by the classic Chinese proverb, "博施济众"
(bó shī jì zhòng): sow help and benefits to as many people as possible.
However, doing
something that is useful for others will not necessarily be directly
proportional to society's assessment of us. Understandably, in a world where
almost everything is used as content to be shown off, it makes people
increasingly wary and suspicious of the intentions or motivations behind our
kindness. The reason is, there is almost no difference between what is sincere
and what is selfless. No problem. Doing good does require a commitment to be
resilient in any situation and condition. After all, as the great philosopher
Mencius put it, "If God wants to give glory to someone, he will first make
him suffer, make him tired, make him hungry, make him emaciated, make what he
has done fall apart."
.jpg)