〈盧勝彥佈施基金〉總裁盧佛青師姐於十一月十五日在【密儀雷藏寺】代表接受捐款致答詞
文／盧勝彥佈施基金會 提供
師尊、師母、〈密儀雷藏寺〉董事會，各位上師、各級弘法人員、各位貴賓，現場的同門以及網路上的同門，大家好！
〈盧勝彥佈施基金會〉非常感謝休士頓〈密儀雷藏寺〉的大力支持與慷慨贊助。我記得去年當基金會剛成立之初，〈密儀雷藏寺〉就是第一個為基金會做出很大的貢獻。不僅如此，每個月固定一直支持奉獻，我內心受到你們很大的鼓舞與激勵。在此，請接受我最真誠的感謝，感謝〈密儀雷藏寺〉。
我過去任職於營利事業，相較於非營利事業而言，是非常不同。最主要的不同是—公眾慈善團體是完全仰賴群眾的支持而且不求回報地去捐助。就像今天齊聚一堂的所有人，都是非常慷慨而發心的。據統計報告，全美國各地每年募集到的善款超過兩百六十億美元，也就是說美國所有大約一百四十多萬的慈善團體所收到的善款總數。簡單的做個比較來看，〈美國太空總署—ＮＡＳＡ〉二○○九年度總預算是大約十七億美元。大家比較一下，兩百六十億和十七億相差有多少！很顯然地，慈善事業相較於當前的經濟環境可說是非常活躍的。我們扮演一個很重要而且獨一無二的角色，目的就是為了幫助社會上那些弱勢族群。
我想要特別指出，慈善事業與佛教上的修行其實有相同之處，就是所有的成就以及回饋都不能以物質來衡量。一個非營利組織的成就，並不是像營利事業它本身股價的高低，而是取決於我們能夠幫助多少人、多少生命。修行的福報並不總是顯現於外的，但是，身為《真佛宗》弟子，我們都非常清楚明瞭，真正的回饋是來自於無形之中，並且超越一切所有的價值。
在這經濟不景氣的時期，很多非營利機構都關門或暫停它們的援助計劃及補助。現在，我們要向自己挑戰，特別在這艱困的時期，我們要站出來，因為這正是人們最需要幫助的時候。
最後，感謝〈密儀雷藏寺〉一切的招待！敬祝大家身體健康、如意吉祥。嗡嘛呢唄咪吽。
YL Foundation is grateful for the Houston temple's strong support and generosity. I recall that when the Foundation was newly formed, this temple was the first to jump forward with a major contribution. Not only that, but the temple continues to send monthly contributions. I am encouraged by all of you here and from the bottom of my heart, please accept my most sincere appreciation.
Coming from a career in the for-profit business sector, nonprofit work is different, though I would argue that there are more similarities than differences. One major difference is that as a public charity, our success largely depends on the support of kind individuals, giving their hard earned money without anything in return. But people, like all of you here today, are incredibly generous. Every year, Americans give a stunning $260 billion dollars to about 1.4 million different nonprofits in the country. Just for comparison, NASA's entire budget for 2009 is about $17 billion. The nonprofit sector is clearly a vibrant part of the economy and we play a unique and vital role in working to help the disadvantaged population.
One similarity I want to touch on is between nonprofit work and the practice of Buddhism, because the outcomes or rewards are not measured by material things. A nonprofit organization's outcomes are not judged by the rise and fall of stock prices, but judged by how many lives we save or how many people we help. As with Buddhism, benefits are often unseen, but as TBS disciples, we know that the real rewards though intangible, are beyond valuable.
In this economic downturn when many nonprofits are closing their doors and suspending programs and grants, I challenge us all to step forward for it is precisely when times are tough that people need help most.
Thank you very much! Om a mi padme hom.
