[eBook] The Spirit of Great Love Volume Two

Introduction

The original Chinese edition of The Spirit of Great Love Volume Two was first published in 2003, during the SARS outbreak. Nearly two decades later, the English eBook edition was released in 2022, at a time when the world was still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Though years apart, both editions emerged during global crises, echoing each other in spirit and underscoring the book’s timeless message of compassion and wisdom.

This volume features a curated selection of short stories—both classical and contemporary—organized into five themes: Rich vs. Poor, Desire and Faith, Wisdom and Life, Time, and Good Deeds and Happiness. With warmth and clarity, Dharma Master Cheng Yen gently guides readers to find peace and ease amid everyday challenges and interpersonal interactions.

Everyone has an inherently pure nature. In times of crisis, we have witnessed countless individuals stepping forward with courage and selflessness. If we can all learn to live in harmony with nature—returning to humility, reverence, vigilance, and civility—these values will not only help prevent future disasters, but also serve as the moral foundation for a more stable and compassionate society.

About Author

Dharma Master Cheng Yen was born in 1937 in a small town in Taichung County, Taiwan. When she was twenty-three years old, she left home to become a Buddhist nun, and was instructed by her mentor, Venerable Master Yin Shun, to work “for Buddha’s teachings, for sentient beings.” In 1966, she founded a charity, which later turned into the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, to “help the poor and educate the rich”—to give material aid to the needy and inspire love and humanity in both givers and recipients.


In recent years, Master Cheng Yen’s contributions have been increasingly recognized by the global community. In 2011, she was recognized with the Roosevelt Institute’s FDR Distinguished Public Service Award and was named to the 2011 TIME 100 list of the world’s most influential people. In 2014, she was presented with Rotary International’s Award of Honor in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and contributions to world peace.