971130人間菩提英文版Recycling Work: The Way to Cherish and Create Blessings

Recycling Work: The Way to Cherish and Create Blessings

每日播出內容 ｜ 300K 300K ｜ 56K

人間菩提--致力環保‧惜福造福

 

With a joyful heart, we welcome the new year.

If we keep a joyful heart, we will be joyful every day and being joyful, every day will be a blessed day.

Actually, all of us are together creating blessings for our world.

Here in Zhanghua County---whenever I hear of Zhanghua's Fangyuan Township, I'd think back to thirty years ago when I used to travel in these parts.

Back then, going from Fangyuan (to other townships)made for a long trip.

But now, traveling from Fangyuan to our office in Zhanghua County only takes forty-five minutes by car.

With developments in transportation, it is now a much more convenient and smooth trip.

Now, it is a very easy trip to make.

Indeed, in these past few decades, we in Taiwan have grown very fortunate.

Why do we now have such good circumstances?

We need to be grateful to one another and be grateful for the prosperity that industrial development has brought these recent decades.

We should be grateful for everyone's hard work that made it all possible.

We should also be grateful for Tzu Chi's growth these past four decades.

Tzu Chi members started from(just a handful)and grew to tens, hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands.

The seed of love kept multiplying.

Starting with just one seed, that seed produced countless seeds.

These countless seeds all came from one original seed.

Everyone, I hope all of us can be like that one seed that can produce innumerable seeds.

I hope that all of us can truly have the conviction ad vow to be that seed that produces countless more seeds by inviting more people to join us in or work and serve as a bodhisattva.

If we can do that, our Taiwan will become even more blessed because when there are a lot of good people society will be peaceful and harmonious.

If our society is peaceful and harmonious, there will be safety and security for our family.

When our family is well we are fortunate and blessed.

So, the prosperity of our society depends not just on the land and the climate which are important factors but also depends on our actions to sow blessings.

Look at Mr. Xie from Fangyuan.

Our recycling volunteers invited him to join Tzu Chi's work.

After understanding Tzu Chi's mission his entire family got involved in Tzu Chi Mr. Xie not only offered up around 2.5 acres of his land originally used for growing peanuts, so it could be turned into Tzu Chi's recycling station.

He also joined the volunteer work.

His son, daughter-in-law, and several other members of his family are all now certified Tzu Chi members like him.

His wife is as well.

He really is a seed.

Because he has let his land become a recycling station, many more people( are now involved in the work)

Mr. Xie is really friendly and nice.

When people come, he is very warm welcoming them and inviting them to come in to drink a cup of tea and take a break.

When other volunteers need to leave (and the work is not yet finished,)

Mr. Xie would finish up the work for them and wrap everything up. He and his wife are always quietly taking care of a lot of things.

The next day, before people start arriving, he'd already be here working.

He is really very dedicated.

He contributes a lot to this recycling station.

He's like a fulltime staff here.

If not for the efforts of Mr. Xie and his wife, our recycling station wouldn't be able to function as it does now.

Now in Fangyuan, over 50 people who started to as our recycling volunteer have become our certified Tzu Chi member be it a Tzu Cheng or commissioner.

(So, this land has produced many bodhisattvas)

I'm truly grateful about that.

The more I do, the happier I am.

The volunteers are all very nice to us.

So, the more I do, the happier I am.

Every morning, the first thing I want to do is come to the recycling station.

The Buddha came to this world to teach us that the world we live in is full of impermanence and suffering.

Besides the suffering of birth, aging, illness, and death, there are natural and man-made disasters.

Everyone, in learning Buddhism, we must learn to help people in suffering.

Let me ask you one thing:

Can we gain blessings just by praying for it?

Can we?

No

How can we gain blessings?

By helping others (thus sowing blessings)

Just like when we want to eat rice, we need to first plant and grow the rice so that we can have rice to harvest.

So, we need to be grateful to the rice farmers for the rice we get to eat.

After we have the rice, do we need to cook it?

Yes, we need to cook it.

We have to cook it before we can eat it.

Therefore, we need to be grateful that we have rice to cook so that we won't go hungry.

But does just cooking the rice alone make us full?

What do we need to do?

We need to eat it, right?

Will you be full if other people eat the rice for you?

No. (The meaning is clearer and clearer, right?)

That's right, we should know that it's our body that is hungry.

So, in order for us to be full, we need to eat the rice ourselves.

(Just because we pray piously to the Buddha)doesn't mean that our hunger can go away without us eating anything.

That's impossible.

So, everyone, (to enjoy blessings.) we need to create blessings and cherish them

Doing recycling makes our surrounding area much cleaner.

Plus, the recyclables can be reused, so we don't use up so many natural resources.

I would like to treat Tzu Chi's recycling station as my home.

Working in the recycling station made me realize deeply that we really need to count and cherish our blessings.

(This is how we can give)

(We can see this in our recycling volunteers)

They cherish their blessings.

Even though fewer companies are now accepting our recyclables.

However, (we should still do recycling)for the good of our community.

If we do not go out and collect recyclables, garbage will pile up quickly in our communities.

So, we must continue to promote recycling work.

Furthermore, our recycling stations also serve as an educational place.

Teachers often bring their students there to learn about environmental protection.

What we need to teach people now is to cherish the goods they have and to not buy a lot of things.

We need to take this opportunity to teach people about this concept.

If we keep on spending, then we would empty our savings as well as the nation's treasury.

So, we should continue to be frugal and cherish what we already have.

That's the spirit of the recycling volunteer.

 

 

 

首播 每日19:45 重播 週一到週五 　　　09:48　11:45　15:15　23:00 重播 週六 　　　07:45　11:45　15:18　23:00 重播 週日 　　　02:45　07:45　11:45　23:00 人間菩薩福地生 廣聚愛心惜資源 環保教育幼培植 惜福造福利群生 2008/11/30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

人間菩提英文版"刊登網站: http://master-dharma.blogspot.com/

 

 

Regards, Jenny
思慧合十
Today's Jing Si Aphorisms:   Grateful, our hearts would be touched and moved. Moved, we would be inspired to take action.

 今日靜思語:有感恩就有感動,有感動就有一股推動的力量 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

971129人間菩提英文版Never Forgetting the Origins Of Our Dharma Lineage (日期更正)

 Never Forgetting the Origins Of Our Dharma Lineage

每日播出內容 ｜ 300K 300K ｜ 56K

 

人間菩提--尊重法源行於道

 

 

 

 Look at the tiny island nation of the Republic of Kiribati.

Although it is very tiny, it is very beautiful Kiribati was the first country to see.

(the dawn of the third millennium)

It's a very beautiful small island nation.

If the conditions had been such that people could live there safely, they'd have wonderful lives.

However, I am very concerned for the people living there.

The rising sea level (is threatening their way of life)

The people build their houses by the shore.

If the sea level rises more, they'll need to move.

But there's only 450 meters (1,476 ft) at most for them to retreat because the island is so small.

Was it like this before?

No, it's because of global warming.

The president of Kiribati often travels around the world telling other countries about global warming and is impact on his country.

Actually, the people living there do not contribute much to global warming.

They live a very simple life.

(and do not produce a lot of greenhouse gases)

The nation's population is only around 105,000.

In this small island nation that has a small population and small territory.

The people are facing a crisis as the rising sea level is engulfing their land.

Where can they go to live?

Can they move and take refuge in other countries?

But where can they go?

Is there a country that will accept and take in these people?

They are truly helpless.

The country does not have a lot of industry.

(and hasn't produced a lot of greenhouse gases)

Environmental problems and global warming are created by the big, powerful countries.

Many people living in these prosperous countries are living in comfort.

Yet, do they realize that their lifestyle is threatening the survival of people on this tiny island?

The people of Kiribati are really innocent victims.

So, their president goes everywhere to call attention to their plight.

But has it made a difference?

Their plight is truly heartbreaking.

Meanwhile, the cyclone that hit Myanmar this May killed many people in that country.

There was one man in his thirties who said that when he saw the devastation, he went on his bamboo raft to help with the disaster relief.

The floodwaters were full o floating corpses and he had to push away the corpses with his hand.

When can just imagine what the scene was like.

This cyclone disaster in Myanmar is truly an alarming disaster.

Having heard about such severe devastation, can we help all the victims of the disaster?

It's very difficult.

Myanmar is a poor country and now, it was hit by a severe disaster.

In the aftermath, many countries tried to send aid but their aid was turned down.

As Taiwan has no diplomatic ties with Myanmar it was not possible for Tzu Chi Taiwan to go in.

So, I asked our Tzu Chi volunteers in Malaysia to go to Myanmar to help.

I'm truly grateful to our Malaysian volunteers for taking on the relief work.

In Myanmar, they conducted themselves with great humbleness.

They were truly dedicated to helping the people, and did it humbly with great love, giving care for many months.

The local people assisted us with our aid work.

The government officials also came to see how Tzu Chi was helping their people.

They were very moved by what they saw.

Later (in June,) the government of Myanmar addressed a letter to me officially welcoming Tzu Chi's participation in reconstruction efforts in disaster-affected areas.

When the government had turned to Tzu Chi of its own accord our Malaysian volunteers quickly told them:

"Our Foundation headquarters is in Taiwan"

"So, for us to do a large-scale project"

"in your country,"

"you would need to issue a formal letter"

"to (our founder and president). She was the one"

"who sent us to Myanmar in the first place"

I am truly very grateful to our Malaysian members that they have such respect for Tzu Chi's origins.

That day, our Tzu Chi volunteer, Ji Yuan, told me:

"Master, there is one thing I must apologize for"

"What could that be?"

I asked.

He said, "At our groundbreaking ceremony,"

"the banners in their village all displayed"

"Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation"

"But there was one banner by the road"

"where the word 'Taiwan" was missing"

"All the other banners included 'Taiwan', and "

"this banner was the only exception"

Ji Yuan had mindfully noted it and so, he brought this up to the local officials and asked them why the word "Taiwan" was missing.

Ji Yuan asked them to please correct the mistake.

I said, "They corrected it, so it's no big deal"

He said, "Yes, but at first, they had left it out"

I said, "It seems like a big deal to you now"

"only because I'm still around"

He quickly replied: "No, we'll still do the same way when you're gone"

"because Taiwan is where Tzu Chi originated"

"Even when you're no longer with us,"

"(we must never forget that)"

I was very moved by his words.

Indeed, I especially talk about the Jing Si Dharma lineage and Tzu Chi path because I want all Tzu Chi members to be clear on the origin and foundation of (our missions)

Since you Tzu Chi members in Taiwan are at the source or founding place of Tzu Chi all of you really need to work hard in Taiwan.

Look at how small Kiribati is.

Actually, Taiwan is not very big either.

It cannot withstand damage and devastation.

Just as we can't bear for our planet to be damaged we can't bear for anything to happen to hurt our society in Taiwan or our land.

It is only by purifying the heart of all people that society can have peace and harmony because only then will people not create trouble.

Within our group, let us work to have even greater unity, harmony. mutual love, and teamwork and see if that can help to spread peace and harmony all across our society.

We earnestly hope for a society full of peace and harmony.

Everyone, that's not unachievable.

As long as we have the will, we can make it happen.

So, everyone, please be even more mindful.

(If each of you can inspire)

(just one more person to become a volunteer)

(and each volunteer can in turn)

(inspire more people to become a volunteer,)

Just think, Taiwan's entire population will be bodhisattvas.

That's not an impossible goal.

So, everyone, please be mindful and truly take the Dharma into your hearts.

 

 

 

 

首播 每日19:45 重播 週一到週五 　　　09:48　11:45　15:15　23:00 重播 週六 　　　07:45　11:45　15:18　23:00 重播 週日 　　　02:45　07:45　11:45　23:00 援緬紓困敬法源 廣匯眾善賦生機 心能入法行於道 展轉流佈致祥和 2008/11/29

 

 

 

人間菩提英文版"刊登網站: http://master-dharma.blogspot.com/

 

 

Regards, Jenny
思慧合十
Today's Jing Si Aphorisms:   only by working together with one heart do we have the greatest strength.

 今日靜思語:人人合心. 協力, 才能發揮最大的力量 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

971128人間菩提英文版Documenting Volunteers--Leaving Testimony of Buddhism in Action

Documenting Volunteers--Leaving Testimony of Buddhism in Action每日播出內容 ｜ 300K 300K ｜ 56K
人間菩提--見證人間行妙法

 

 

Our documenting volunteer bodhisattvas truly do represent truth, goodness, and beauty.

Because of you, many stories of exemplary character in Tzu Chi can be preserved and passed down.

In the world of Tzu Chi, there are many people of exemplary character, so if we did not have documenting volunteers.

We would not be able to record and keep.

These stories of exemplary people I often compare our documenting volunteers to Ven. Xuan Zhuang.

Ven. Xuan Zhuang had to travel thousands of miles to India to seek the Buddha's teachings but for our documenting volunteers now sutras are everywhere to be found.

(as everyone is a living sutra)

From the sharing given by each documenting group, we see how united each group is.

For that, I am very grateful to you.

This sense of gratitude comes from the bottom of my heart.

I'm especially grateful to volunteers who hold other jobs and specially make time to help.

In the morning before going to work, they'd organize their documenting material and after work, they would also seize time to quickly do some more work such as archiving.

That is how they make the most of their time.

Being able to continue this for years one end truly isn't easy.

As I often say, it's easy to be inspired but hard to maintain that conviction.

When doing the documenting work just for fun, it may seem alright but fully dedicating oneself for the long term is another story.

Such documenting work is truly very hard work

Even when they are sick or have some sort of health problem that requires follow-up

treatment, they still wouldn't rest. But seize the time they have to volunteer.

They have truly used every moment they can spare to document people's exemplary deeds in Tzu Chi so that it can leave a legacy.

What they do is truly admirable.

Each of them has lived their life to its fullest thus bringing meaning and value to their life.

I am truly very grateful to all of you.

I feel that I am very blessed for coming across so many exemplary bodhisattvas throughout my life.

Just now we heard the sharings of four elderly documenting volunteers.

People nowadays tend to think.

"After I retire, I want to take it easy"

But people like Mr. Zhuo and Mr. Jiang dedicate themselves to volunteer work after they retire.

They are truly living bodhisattvas who serve others willingly help others with a joyful heart and who derive great joy from giving.

They never let themselves be overcome by any difficulties.

What might take other people just one hour to master takes me about 8 hours to learn.

When Da Ai TV was recruiting documenting volunteers, I went along thinking all I had to do was attend classes.

I never expected that if I didn't pass a written test, I wouldn't be able to go to the classes on film editing.

I didn't know about this.

When they handed out the exam paper, it was all Greek to me.

I only got a score of 10.

So, I signed up for the class again.

So, when Da Ai TV was recruiting documenting volunteers, I flunked the first time.

the second, and the third.

Of the documenting volunteers, 4 classes attended lessons with me.

After studying, I took it again.

Can you guess what mark I got?

I got a score of 80?

Mr. Jiang truly dedicated himself very mindfully and wouldn't admit defeat.

He also often shares his experiences with the young people.

Indeed, each of our documenting volunteers can serve as exemplars of character for each other by sharing their experiences with one another, as each of them is a living sutra for others to read.

With the mindfulness of our documenting volunteers they can capture these precious stories and leave a legacy for hundreds and thousands of years to come because they're essentially recording down.

(present-day sutras)

We are all dedicating ourselves to the work of finding the sutra within each person's life.

Indeed, innumerable teachings are to be found in everything around us

Everyone, be it those sitting in front of you, behind you, or next to you.

(all are a living sutra that teaches s truths)

So by dedicating ourselves to documenting other people's life stories we are exploring living sutras.

All around us, we can find sutras.

But to do this, one has to put in a lot of effort.

For example, to start with, no one has any specialist knowledge in filming and editing footage.

(but over time, they become like professionals)because they are willing to put in the effort.

So, if we are willing to put in the effort and we're willing to learn.

We can also become experts too.

So, everyone, I'm truly very grateful

We built up Tzu Chi's sutra treasury from nothing.

This is especially important.

(as Tzu Chi is a unique school o Buddhism)

(with its set of principles and philosophy)

So, we should quickly work to follow Tzu Chi's events and people and record them.

Last week, over 800 Tzu Chi volunteers from 24 countries came back to Taiwan.

Our documenting volunteers filmed them every step of the way and in the footages, we could see what a large orderly group they were.

Seeing that, I was truly very moved and I thought to myself how lucky I was to have such good disciples spread all over different parts of the world with everyone being so self-disciplined following my words so closely, and so orderly and in sync with one another in every way.

I was truly very grateful.

These events in Tzu Chi's history have all been recorded.

For these images of such a large orderly group to be captured our documenting volunteers are indispensable.

These all serve as important records that go in Tzu Chi's sutra treasury.

In fact, none of the Buddha's words and deeds were recorded back in his time.

All the Buddhist sutras we read started with:

"Thus I have heard", meaning that what was recorded in the sutra was based on what the one who recorded it had heard rather than what he had seen for himself.

That's why those who composed the sutras could not record the year, month, date or time of the event they recorded.

But nowadays, we can record the images with a video camera as well as document things via words.

So, the image we have recorded is what we've seen and the articles we have composed are what we've witnessed and experienced so it can be even more complete

I am truly very grateful to all of you.

Without you recording the events and people how could I possibly know what is done in places far away, get to see so many people and learn about so many stories?

All of you have truly contributed greatly to Da Ai TV.

Be it the news or programs on Da Ai TV your work is all in there.

So, I am very grateful to you.

What you have done also boosts the morale of our staff at Da Ai TV as many of them have also said that they were deeply touched by you.

So, thank you for that.

You are truly the ones who enable a moment in time to become eternity.

With just one click of your camera you record an image that can be seen for centuries to come.

Those who are responsible for composing stories have a challenging task as they have to rack their brain to come up with the article.

But, your hard work is what contributes to Tzu Chi's sutra treasury that records Tzu Chi's events and people

So, I am very grateful to you all for recording the history of Tzu Chi which can show people how one can be a living bodhisattva and live out the Buddha's teachings in daily life.

All this is there in your work to be seen.

So, I am truly very grateful to you all.

It's not possible for me to ever finish praising and thanking you.

What you've done will always remain in my heart.

Thank you all.

 

 

首播 每日19:45 重播 週一到週五 　　　09:48　11:45　15:15　23:00 重播 週六 　　　07:45　11:45　15:18　23:00 重播 週日 　　　02:45　07:45　11:45　23:00 捕捉剎那成永恆 人文志工擁經藏 見證人間行妙法 深入生命鑄丹青 2008/11/28

 

 

 

 

 

人間菩提英文版"刊登網站: http://master-dharma.blogspot.com/

 

 

Regards, Jenny
思慧合十
Today's Jing Si Aphorisms:  Only the force of true, unconditional love can  turn the tide of degradation in our society.

今日靜思語:唯有真情.大愛之清流, 才能淡化舉世污穢之濁流