2008年因為納斯吉風災，讓緬甸受災嚴重，慈濟人發放稻種，豐收後，緬甸農民每天抓一把米，放在米鋪滿裡幫助更需要的人。天下氣候不調，許多國家糧荒嚴重，目前在全球七十億人口中，大約有十億人是處於飢餓的狀態中，而全球食物有三分之一都被浪費掉。上證下嚴上人於心不忍，因此主張飯菜少一點，慾望少一點，推行日食八分飽，兩分助人好。希望人人對物質、能源節約，“素食八分飽”，並將每天省下的錢存入撲滿，去幫忙更需要幫助的人。上證下嚴上人提醒大家，天地告急，人心更要匯合起來，為天下祈求平安。大家要點點滴滴培養愛心，起心動念都要守住一分善心，才能成長慧命，消弭災難。
Eating 80% full with vegetarianism, leaving 20% to help the needy
In 2008, when Myanmar was devastated by cyclone Nargis, Tzu Chi volunteers distributed rice seeds and after harvesting, the Myanmar farmers put aside one handful of rice daily into a rice container to help the needy people. The world is suffering from climatic disorder, many countries were facing serious food shortage, currently among the 7 billion population in the whole world, about 1 billion people are living in a state of hunger, yet one third of the food are wasted in the whole world. With a heart heavy with grief and worry, Master Cheng Yen urges to reduce food consumption, lessen desires, and promotes to eat 80% full per day, leaving 20% to help the needy. She hopes that everyone can be frugal with food consumption and conserve energy, “Eating 80% full with vegetarianism”, and save the remaining money into the bamboo bank to help the needy. Master Cheng Yen cautions everyone that we face a planetary emergency; all people must stay united to pray for peace in the world. Everyone must nurture their loving hearts, and transpire the thought of kindness, so as to enhance our wisdom life and to eliminate disasters.
