Carrying the Grocery Basket of the World

Before she became a nun, Master Cheng Yen heard the head dharma master at a certain monastery say, "The woman who is able to carry a grocery basket is the most blessed!" [Translator's note: this is a metaphor for accepting the role of housewife.] Reflecting on this topic, Master Cheng Yen re-evaluated the course of her own life, as well as the question of how to gain blessings in life. Finally, she worked out the notion of "carrying the grocery basket of the world." The Master said, "A woman should not only be capable of making contributions to one single family and carrying her family's grocery basket. A woman should also be able to take up social responsibilities like a man, to extend her love for her family to all society, and to universally love all living beings in the world. 'Carrying the grocery basket of the world' should be considered a unique blessing."

"Carrying the grocery basket of the world" is indeed a phrase that the Master uses to encourage everyone to forsake petty personal love, to exercise universal Great Love, and to take on social responsibilities.