Upon seeing others' suffering, when we look at ourselves, aren't we very blessed?
But seeing so many people in such suffering and reaping the consequences of the karma they've accumulated. We should awaken to the lessons that others' suffering brings us.
Who would choose to suffer?
Who would choose to live like that?
No one would choose that.
It's because there are living beings suffering when their karmic retributions come to bear that we need living bodhisattvas to go to them, give them a helping hand and support them along life's journey so that.
They are able to stand on their own again.
That is the reason there are living bodhisattvas.
But, it' not that easy to be a living bodhisattva,
Yu-ling is a case that gives us chances to really cultivate and learn to become a bodhisattva.
We see the story of her life.
She is 61 this year, but 13 years ago when she was just 48,
She came to
She took on part-time jobs and she'd give the wages.
She earned to her husband.
It was a hard life.
Then in 2004, she found out that she had cervical cancer upon which she had surgery.
Then in 2005, she was diagnosed with amyloidosis. multiple myeloma, heart disease, etc.
Seeing how she was ill and unable to recover her health.
Her husband divorced her.
Fortunately, the social welfare dept. in Pingdong gives her a disability living allowance of around US$
But her condition is such that her body is in danger of going into shock at any moment.
So the social welfare dept. has also fitted her with a personal alarm that is directly connected to the police station.
So that in emergencies they can quickly go to her aid.
But, she's very fortunate to come across someone who cares about her.
The policeman overseeing her case often went to visit her.
He felt that Yu-ling needed someone to care for her for the long term, so he referred her case to Tzu Chi.
After our volunteers took over her case, they began to care for her.
Despite keeping her company and taking care of her, she'd yell at our volunteers.
But our Tzu Chi volunteers did not harbor any hard feelings towards her nor did they bear a grudge against her but instead continued taking turns to care for her and support her.
Now, she is able to be self-reliant.
I do everything myself.
When I have time, I'll write "Amitabha" as Tzu Chi Sister Gao taught me.
I'll keep writing "Amitabha".
I also write a sutra verse three times a day.
Nowadays, I think to myself that I want to rely on myself as much as I can.
I do my own cooking. my own laundry and also bathe myself.
She has truly opened up her heart and is embracing a new life.
Now that she's under Tzu Chi volunteers' care, they often go to visit her and keep her company.
We also see this grandma, Mei-ying.
She is 74 years old.
Her life has been full of hardships---
Her husband had passed away long ago and of her four children, three had passed away.
The only son she had left is mentally impaired.
Her deceased daughter had also left her four grandchildren to raise.
Among this grandma's four grandchildren, three of them are also mentally impaired and only one granddaughter is normal.
This granddaughter is very good and caring but she is now married.
Her father-in –law is very nice, considerate, and kind-hearted.
(He is fine with letting his daughter-in-law)visit her grandma and siblings often.
The granddaughter would buy groceries for them and would also help her grandma bathe her other siblings.
Her father-in –law could not bear to see.
Her having to do all these things and running around while also being pregnant herself.
He also saw how her grandma and family lived in a hut that was once used to keep pigs.
There are crevices in the walls, because the roots of a banyan tree have grown into the walls.
So, when it rains, the water would seep through.
This father-in-law really couldn't bear to see them living in such an environment,
So he went to an ironworks and asked them to build a house with metal sheets for the family.
When the owner from the ironworks went to see the house, he was touched by this father-in-law's love and would only charge him for the construction materials.
At the same time, the owner of this ironworks felt that the costs would still be too much for this father-in-law to shoulder alone as he is not very will-off.
So, the owner referred this case to Tzu Chi.
When Tzu Chi volunteers received this case, they immediately agreed to help this family.
On their first visit, they saw how dirty the place was, so they helped this grandma clean up the house.
As they cleaned they found all sorts of pests like cockroaches and rats.
While taking things down, the whole ceiling collapsed on them.
It truly gave them a fright.
But they were undeterred and still completed the work they set out to do.
When the new house was done, our volunteers also held a house-warming party for them.
Now they can live in a safe and comfortable home.
Moreover, our Tzu Chi volunteers also brought one of the grandsons to a bakery where he can learn how to make bread.
Such is the way of Tzu Chi volunteers---
They not only help to relieve others suffering
(but also help them find a way to make a living)
This is how Tzu Chi volunteers give of themselves diligently with love
In
As long as a case is brought to our attention, our volunteers will reach out and do what they can to bring them care and support and help improve their lives.
It's truly very heartwarming to see so many Tzu Chi volunteers caring for others in
In
Though it's only temporary, the housing we built for them is very sturdy and also very beautiful.
The monastic practitioners think it's wonderful.
With such a bright and dignified Buddha Hall……
When we dedicate ourselves with sincerity and work hard to give them a safe. sturdy shelter. through temporary.
I'm sure it can still be a good shelter for many years to come until their monastery is rebuilt.
We also see that in
we' ve decided on the location for building a permanent housing complex for them.
So, this construction project will begin soon. Hearing this news, I am very happy and also very grateful.
Without Tzu Chi volunteers around the world working together to care for the people in
I couldn't possibly have done this alone.
So, the credit should go to Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide.
Thank you. Tzu Chi volunteers, for dedicating yourselves with such love and care.
It's not possible to express all my gratitude.
All this is the result of love---
As long as there is love when we come across those in suffering we'll be able to extend a helping hand.
(and help change their lives)
For that, I am truly very grateful.
 坎坷人生多橫逆幸逢貴人拔諸苦 膚慰川緬籌援建 普願眾生得安穩 別人生命中的貴人，慈濟人長期關懷這兩個個案，一位是新竹的鄭梅英阿嬤，獨立照顧生病的兒孫，還有這位來自大陸的李玉玲，因為患有罕見疾病，遭到家人遺棄，兩個人都在生命的低潮中與慈濟相遇，就此展開綿長的關懷，證嚴上人在今天的志工早會感恩全球慈濟志工，深入長街陋巷，在黑暗的地方點燈，做別人生命中的貴人。 緊緊擁抱慈濟人，說出心中感恩，六十一歲來自大陸的李玉玲，因為患有罕見的腎臟類澱粉沉殿症併發骨髓瘤，遭到親人棄養。隨時有可能休克的她，一度自暴自棄怨天尤人，後來經由當地警察轉介，慈濟人無所求的付出，才化解了李玉玲心中的埋怨。 證嚴上人開示：「這都是菩薩所緣緣苦眾生，因為有緣，人家才會匯報給慈濟，慈濟人接到了這樣的個案，就會很自動的為一個不請之師，走入這樣的家庭。」 與慈濟有緣的還有這位，住在新竹，獨力照顧患有弱智的兒子和三個外孫子女的梅英阿嬤，還好另外一個已經結婚的外孫女，平常都會回來幫忙，但是這改變不了梅英阿嬤家生活上的困境，一直到慈濟人的出現，為梅英阿嬤一家整修房子，還幫弱智的孫子找到一份工作，可以自力更生。 證嚴上人開示：「感覺到說人情味很濃，也感恩慈濟人用心用愛的付出，許許多多的感恩說不盡，總而言之都是愛，有愛的人間，有緣的苦難眾生，我們就可以去幫他，做一個生命中的貴人。」 人間菩薩覺有情，慈濟人以正念正行，將大愛化長情，照亮社會每個角落。 |
Regards, Jenny
Today's Jing Si Aphorisms: Everyone has a Buddha nature, and a Bodhisattva's strength and spirit.
今日靜思語: 人人本具菩薩心, 也具有和菩薩同等的精神與力量
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