971219人間菩提英文版Works of Love in South America

Works of Love in South America

每日播出內容 ｜ 300K 300K ｜ 56K

人間菩提--南美之光 

 

 

 

The footage we saw now was of Brazil

I truly don't know why it is that there are so many people living in poverty in South America.

South America is a big continent but there are very few Tzu Chi volunteers there.

Because there are only a few of them the Tzu Chi volunteers there are even more united in heart.

So, the Tzu Chi volunteers in South America all work together and help each other to spread their love far and wide

So, though the volunteers there are few, they are able to collaborate and join forces.

Because they are united in heart and work harmoniously together, the love they plant is able to be planted deeply, setting roots in the local area.

In Brazil, the local Tzu Chi volunteers have been holding free clinics for 12 years.

The members of our medical association (TIMA) and others who share the same mission to help people will join together to hold free clinics when disasters occur, or when there are people in need.

So, they often hold free clinics that may not be on a set schedule.

That's the situation in Brazil.

Of course, our volunteers in Paraguay and Argentina do the same such as Dr. Gao & his wife, who live in Argentina.

Dr. Gao's Dharma name is Ji Chuan and his wife's is Ci Cheng.

(Put together, their Dharma names mean "pass on")

They often go to different places together to help people in need.

They would even go to Paraguay to participate in the free clinics held there traveling thousands of kilometers at a time.

Every time they do this, I'd ask them:

"Why do you go to such faraway places?"

They'd say, "Their suffering is heartbreaking"

"so we really want to help"

So, the love they have for people propels them to go and help so sometimes, they overwork themselves, and I often have to "step on the breaks" for them.

But I'm truly very moved by the love in their hearts.

Nonetheless, I also often worry about them.

The three countries with Tzu Chi volunteers span a very large area, but there are very few Tzu Chi volunteers (So, I am often worried about their safety)

(when they travel far distances to help)

So, when disasters happen in South America (such as the earthquake in Peru last year,)

(they would go to give aid as well)

As of now, there are no locally-based Tzu Chi volunteers in Peru yet.

So, our volunteers from the three countries of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina went to Peru to help the disaster victims there.

Now, Bolivia has become another country with local Tzu Chi volunteers.

It all started because Bolivia suffered severe flooding early last year.

In response, Tzu Chi volunteers and TIMA doctors in the U.S. went to Blivia to survey the situation conduct aid distributions, and hold free clinics.

They made numerous trips there.

However, (due to the language barrier,)

(as Bolivia is a Spanish-speaking country,)

Tzu Chi volunteers from Paraguay and Argentina joined them in bringing aid to Bolivia.

(The way they carried out the relief work) touched the wife of the head of the department of Santa Cruz because Tzu Chi volunteers had gone to Santa Cruz and had

cared for their people with love and respect.

A group of local doctors from Hospital Municipal Frances in Santa Cruz were also touched by Tzu Chi volunteers and they also began volunteering with us.

Hearing it's a French hospital, (we may imagine it to be very state-of-the-art,) but because Bolivia is very poor, over the decades, this hospital has also started to show some disrepair.

So, though the doctors may be short on medical resources, they are full of love.

In joining forces with Tzu Chi volunteers, they see how Tzu Chi volunteers give with love and have also been touched by it.

This December, our local volunteers in Bolivia held a free clinic by themselves,

(That was the first time they did so on their own)

Whether it was manpower or medical resources, they handled everything themselves.

They went to Viana Village which was over 40 km from the city of Santa Cruz.

This village is considered as a garbage dump for the people of Santa Cruz, as it

(used to be the recycling station of Santa Cruz)

In this village, there are around 300 families (and they are all poor)

(They live among the garbage because) they rely on the garbage to survive.

So, this time, our volunteers chose to hold a free clinic.

In this most impoverished area where there are no doctors.

It is truly touching to see what they have done.

Moreover, our volunteer couple from Argentina were not deterred by distance.

(and traveled all the way to Bolivia)

Because the volunteers from Bolivia know that this couple can speak Spanish---

As it was the first time these doctors in Bolivia were holding the free clinic, they of course contacted them in Argentina on the computer via the Internet.

She shared with them Tzu Chi's medical culture.

Despite passing on their knowledge and helping our volunteers in Bolivia carry out the necessary preparations.

Ci Cheng and her husband still cared so much that the two of them traveled 25 hours by bus to help at the free clinic.

Dr. Gao is a Chinese medicine doctor.

He even performed acupuncture and chiropractic-like adjustments.

See how he administered the acupuncture needles.

(and adjusted the patient's shoulders)

He even used both his arms and legs to do it.

It's truly very moving to see.

How they traveled such a long distance to help out fellow Tzu Chi volunteers in another country.

Before the free clinic started, they gathered the locals together and shared with them how Tzu Chi began with a group of housewives saving a coin a day.

At the free clinic site, our volunteers also held a prayer ceremony guiding all to pray sincerely.

So, before the free clinic started, they first gathered everyone together to pray with sincere piety and also shared (how Tzu Chi began)

(with people saving a coin daily to help others)

(So, though it's a fee clinic,)

(they also shared with the local people)

(our spirit of humanity)

(by leading them in prayer)

So, people of different religious beliefs prayed together sincerely and piously for a world free of disasters and for everyone to be safe and well.

This is the spirit of humanity.

They would guide the locals to a prayer and also shared with them how Tzu Chi started in Taiwan with 30 housewives saving NT$0.50 from their grocery money every day.

Seeing al this, I'm truly very moved.

My disciples in South America are truly following the Jing Si principles and passing on these principles to others.

They also walk the Tzu Chi path with sincere piety.

With sincere piety, gratitude, respect, and love, they go into the community to help those in need.

What they are doing is truly moving.

All in all, I'm truly grateful to this group of disciples living on the other side of the world.

(for all that they do). I'm truly very grateful.

 

 

 

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 牽手天涯承師志 慈愛悲愍護孤雛 千里義診無醫村 迷你醫院膚苦難 慈濟志工愛的腳步，在十二年前來到南美洲的巴西，慈濟志工每個月舉辦一次下鄉義診！而在玻利維亞，原本義診都是由美國人醫會承擔 ，這次就由玻利維亞慈濟志工和法國醫院的醫護，全權策劃舉辦，義診的地點選在最需要醫療資源的貧民村，一共解救了270位貧苦的病患！ 拉起布條，這次來到玻利維亞彌安納村的義診，意義特別重大，因為這次是玻利維亞慈濟人、參加2008年九月的全球人醫會營隊取經後，第一次全權策劃舉辦義診，不只膚慰病苦，還要傳達竹筒歲月的理念。 證嚴上人開示：「靜思法脈勤行道，他們很戒慎的傳承出去，還有虔誠的慈濟人間路，慈濟宗門人間路，他們也是很虔誠的，感恩尊重愛去走入人群付出，這都是令人感動的。」 哪裡有需要就到哪裡義診，在巴西，即使經過上個月的水患，現在又進入雨季，慈濟人持續十二年的每個月下鄉義診，也不會因此停歇。 證嚴上人開示：「菩薩所緣緣苦眾生，好在，有這一群人間菩薩，他們都伸長了手，拉長了情、擴大了愛，所以雖然人少，卻是彼此之間很合作，所以他們就是心合起來、氣合起來，把這個愛很深的落地生根。」 把握當下啟發的慈善心念，讓慈濟人看見病苦，由愛而來的醫療人文，就是醫病醫心最好的良方妙藥。 2008/12/19

 

 

 

 

 

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: Let our state of mind always remain positive no matter what we hear.

今日靜思語: 要學習聽到任何話, 都保持歡喜 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

971218人間菩提英文版Tzu Chi Membersin Malaysia:Giving Out Tuition Aid to Help Students in Need

Tzu Chi Membersin Malaysia:Giving Out Tuition Aid to Help Students in Need

每日播出內容 ｜ 300K 300K ｜ 56K

人間菩提--新芽助學暖嚴冬

 

Life is truly impermanent.

I saw on the news that a fire broke out from inside an operating room on the 4^th floor at the NTU hospital yesterday.

When the fire occurred, there were surgeries still going on.

So, they had to evacuate over 800 patients in a very short time including those in surgery or with serious conditions.

Truly, we can imagine how serious the situation was and how difficult the evacuation must have been I truly hope that everyone is safe and well and the damage caused by the fire can be minimal.

It's winter now, so when we use heaters or other electric heating devices,

We truly should be very careful.

Only when all is safe and well in society can everyone live a blessed life.

Even in a nation with good social welfare benefits civic charity organizations are still needed and when the nation has good social welfare benefits, the quality of the charity work being done should be even higher.

Over the last 40 or so years, Tzu Chi's charity mission (has improved the well-being of many people)

Beginning from charity work, we later developed our mission of Medicine as well as the missions of Education and Culture.

(which am to provide education to the people) as education is very important to the future of our society because the education and development of a person is important for society to have peace & harmony.

The footage we see was taken in Malaysia.

I am very grateful to our volunteers in Malaysia.

In these past two or so years, they have been (promoting the practice of keeping a coin bank) which is to re-emphasize the spirit of charity. (of helping others even when we do not have much)

Because of the recent economic downturn, more people have become impoverished.

So, our volunteers in Kuala Lumpur have hastened their steps and mobilized over 2,000 volunteers to visit students recommended by schools for tuition aid.

After visiting 4,850 students' families to understand their circumstances, our volunteers found that nearly 4,000 students truly need our help.

Among these nearly 4,000 students, we registered the families of 405 of the students as Tzu Chi's regular care recipients to receive regular aid from Tzu Chi.

This is how Tzu Chi volunteers in Malaysia keep giving of themselves so mindfully.

(For the sake of these children's education,) our volunteers held 13 gatherings in November to distribute the tuition aid.

For each gathering, our volunteers would speak to the students, their parents and the teachers respectfully and sincerely and tell them about how Tzu Chi began in Taiwan over 40 years ago (with 30 housewives donating a little each day)

They would speak of this during each gathering and then very respectfully get everyone to sing along to the song "We are One Family"

The lyrics of "We are One Family"---

Because we give out the tuition aid to all in need, no matter their ethnicity, there was one school that only had Malaysian Indian students.

So, our volunteers translated the lyrics of "We are One Family" into Tamil and even found a singer to record the song.

They have also translated Jing Si Aphorisms.

This is truly give with utmost sincerity.

Indeed, love is very important and we need to keep spreading the seeds of love in every corner of the world let alone schools where children are educated.

We also need to nurture"gardeners"---

Aren't the teachers and principal guiding children like gardeners nurturing seeds?

We must spread the seeds of love to the field of every person's heart so that everyone's love can be inspired (to work together for the same common good)

How can we inspire everyone to do this?

We must educate with love.

Such a way of education truly lets us see the light of hope.

When our volunteers were visiting the families, they came across a family with a grandmother and five grandchildren.

Originally, this family was supported by the children's mother.

(The father isn't around most of the time)

(and he doesn't have a regular job,) so he cannot provide for his family.

Every time he did come home, he would ask his wife for money.

So, the mother had to deal with the father, raise her six children can care for her own mother.

The mother truly had a heavy load to shoulder.

But, she resolved that no matter what hardship she would have to endure, she would let all her kids receive an education and even put them all through college.

Such was this heroic mother's wish.

But, not long ago, when the mother and her two-year-old son went out, they were both killed in a care accident.

Without the mother, the family fell into a crisis

From that time onward, the father never came home.

Fortunately, the eldest child, Nanthini, is a very good girl.

Keeping her mother's wish in mind, she not only wants to go to college herself but she also wants her four brothers and sisters to go to college as well.

She also has to support her grandma.

So, at one point, she thought of working part-time.

Seeing the heavy burden she had to shoulder, her school referred her case to Tzu Chi.

Tzu Chi volunteers went to visit the family and found that two of their neighbors were

also caring for them.

Nanthini's family is Malaysian Indian. One of the neighbors caring for them is Malay.

This Malay woman is not very well-to-do herself but she cares about Nanthini's family.

She provides dishes for the family twice a day so that the kids' nutritional needs can be met.

(Race isn't an issue for me)

Although she is Indian and I am Malay, I have known her since she was little, so her family is like my family. She is like my family so I can't bear to see her suffering.

(It's really a tragedy)

That's why I help them.

Another woman of Indian ethnicity also helps care for the family.

After Tzu Chi volunteers went to the family's aid, Nanthini felt that Tzu Chi volunteers have given them a sense of self-respect and much encouragement.

She felt very comforted that now they have this big family caring for them.

Indeed, many families need such heartwarming love and care.

There are still many people in other countries in need of help, because it is now winter and some are affected by natural disasters or the economic downturn.

But, every day we can see hope in the world because living bodhisattvas appear in every corner of the world. (to provide aid to those in need around the world)

Indeed, this gives hope and we see the promise of a bright future all because of love and kindness.

Although we live in a time where there are many disasters, there is still hope out there like the sun bringing warmth in the cold winter.

 

 

 

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 慈濟基金會的慈善志業是貧苦人的依靠，醫療志業是病苦人的希望，而教育志業讓孩子有光明的未來，這份用心從台灣傳到全球。馬來西亞慈濟人，發放新芽助學金給三千多位貧困家庭的學生。證嚴上人今天在志工早會中感恩慈濟人，真誠的用行動將愛散播到全球。 一場車禍帶走蘭蒂妮的母親與兩歲的弟弟，身為家中長女的她，原本已經決定放棄升大學的機會，要找工作來照顧家裡的祖母與四個弟弟妹妹；在最失意的時候，馬來西亞慈濟志工帶著希望來到了她家，而志工的關懷也引發了鄰居的愛心。 證嚴上人開示：「這兩個家庭彼此來關心，不同種族在關心，發現到了人間也是有愛，不過慈濟人投入了這個家庭，這一位蘭蒂妮她就感覺到說，慈濟人來關心，給他們的自尊，給他們的勉勵，感覺到說有這麼大的家庭，她很安慰。」 為了幫助更多像蘭蒂妮這樣家境清寒的孩子，馬來西亞慈濟人在11月、舉行了13場新芽助學金頒發典禮。動用了2000人次的志工，主動走入社區做訪視，要圓滿孩子們的讀書夢，還有四百多個家庭，將轉介成為慈濟長期照顧的個案。 證嚴上人開示：「現在開始又多了四百多個家庭，每一個家庭都是很需要這樣溫暖的愛，總而言之，每一天都可以看到人間的希望，因為人間菩薩一一都出現在這樣的地球上。」 人文教育能為社會帶來希望，慈濟志工恆持善念，要讓愛心，就如同冬天的陽光一般，溫暖每個社會角落。 2008/12/18

 

 

 

 

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:  If we have the will to do something, we need not fear, for with conviction, time can be found, and strength will surely come.

今日靜思語: 只要有心, 一定可以撥出時間;只要有願, 不怕沒有力量. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

971217人間菩提英文版The Powerful Importance of the Direction of Our Thoughts

 The Powerful Importance of the Direction of Our Thoughts每日播出內容 ｜ 300K 300K ｜ 56K

人間菩提--迷悟只在一線間

 

(I saw in an news report that)a bus carrying Russian tourists who had gone to visit Israel veered off a desert road and plunged down a ravine.

Over 20 people were reported dead while over a dozen were injured.

Such a devastating terrible tragedy happened in the twinkling of an eye.

Wasn't it a risk to travel such a long way?

Why put oneself in such a position?

In truth, it is the spiritual journey that gives us the most beautiful experience.

Our inner awakening, the experience of marvelous enlightenment is the most beautiful thing there can be

Why did they instead go so far away?

In the aftermath of the accident, bodies were strewn across the slope.

It was a truly horrifying scene.

The tragedy was truly very regretful.

Why did they have to risk their lives like that?

But as humans, (problems not only occur) when we seek beauty externally and go visit scenic places, actually, when we are immersed in our own inner world if our thinking becomes misguided in the slightest then spiritually we'd also fall into peril.

That was the case with Mr. Huang.

He couldn't bear to see his son lose himself in the virtual world of online games and wanted to guide him out of this habit.

Though he wanted to guide his son, he ended up losing himself in online games as well.

I thought to myself, "Is that really so much fun?"

You sit there in front of the computer and play the game online all by yourself.

Is that really fun?

So, I asked my son to teach me as I wanted to see if it was really fun to play.

As a result, I lost myself in the game, too.

He played until midnight, I told him to go to bed.

He did but got up again and played until dawn.

The extent to which he lost himself in it was truly very worrying.

When we do something "just to see what its like" there's a high risk of getting lost in it.

He had wanted to see for himself what it was like but ended up losing himself in it.

It takes but one thought to go from right thinking to deluded thinking, and vice versa.

(Accessing the sublime world of the awakened mind) just hinges on the thought in our mind.

We must use our wisdom to make the right choices and not be ensnared by the illusory virtual world on the Internet. Instead, we should contribute to the real world and help fulfill real needs.

Going out for a pleasure trip versus returning to ourselves and (dedicating ourselves to benefiting others) are very different experiences.

But our starting to do that(takes some cause or turning point)

Indeed, karmic affinities were truly inconceivable.

In the aftermath of the 921 Earthquake in 1999, our Tzu Chi volunteers across Taiwan all mobilized to solicit donations for the quake survivors.

When our volunteers went to Mr. Huang's store to solicit funds, he responded warmly by immediately donating US$30.

Later, our volunteers invited him to go to the disaster area and help with the work we did and he agreed. The day he was scheduled to go, he set out around 3 a.m. in the morning.

The weather was cold and it was drizzling.

While riding on his motorcycle to the gathering place, he thought to himself.

"Have I got nothing better to do than"

"to set out before dawn and ride in the dark"

"especially on such cold and rainy day?"

The farther along he rode, the more he wondered what he was doing.

(Upon seeing no one there when he arrived,)

(he turned back)

But he thought, "As I've already come this far,"

"wouldn't it be a pity to not go?"

So, he turned and rode back to the gathering place.

"Excuse me"

"Is this bus going to Nantou?"

The volunteer replied, "Yes"

When we got there, it was very cold.

The Tzu Chi sisters stood in a line and handed out steaming hot porridge to us.

It was heartwarming to receive the hot porridge

It really warmed the heart.

We weren't the quake victims but were just cold from riding on the bus and we had porridge awaiting us when we arrived.

So, you can imagine how much disaster victims are in need of care.

Beginning from that moment, he began dedicating himself to Tzu Chi's work.

He not only helped with the construction work of Tzu Chi's schools but also helped pave the paths at our hospital in Dalin with interlocking bricks.

However, he had some bad habits that he found hard to quit.

He had a hard time quitting smoking and drinking.

One time he heard me say on Da Ai TV that how come a big, strong man succumbed so easily to a cigarette of only a few inches long.

This woke him up, and he thought:

"Master is right. How come"

"a tall, strong man like me"

"can't resist the temptation of a mere cigarette"

"and have to sneak away to smoke?"

He felt that he shouldn't have so little willpower.

So, from that moment he resolved to rid his bad habits.

So, he hasn't looked back since and has become a certified Tzu Cheng member.

Over these years, he has been continuously adjusting himself so he can walk on the right path.

Then in 2003---I knew Mr. Huang was very good at online games.

At that time, he wouldn't play online games when he was free, so I thought I could make use of his ability.

He said, "Don't play online games"

"Film editing is more fun"

He then gave me a CD that contains learning materials and a trial software.

I installed it on my computer and I found it more interesting than online games as I could edit the footage however I liked.

I said, "Hey, this is fun"

When editing footage, (he would sometimes complain that)

(the footage was poorly filmed)

It was until he gave filming a try himself that he found that what he filmed was worse than the work of others.

It was then that he started to realize.

How hard I was to serve as a documenting volunteer. At that moment, he made a firm commitment to be a documenting volunteer.

Now he has become a very good documenting volunteer.

All his family are Tzu Chi volunteers also

Both his wife and his mother joined Tzu Chi and are now certified Tzu Chi members.

So, the entire family are Tzu Chi volunteers

See, this is also a "habit" (and a good one too)

Look at how Mr. Huang changed his habit of playing online games to editing footage of Tzu Chi volunteers and events.

He even quit smoking and drinking all at once.

He's truly an exemplar for other Tzu Cheng members.

(See how a change in thinking changes everything)

When Mr. Huang immersed himself in playing online games, he became addicted to it which was a real problem.

So, we must be careful with what we think and do.

(and put our ability into good use)

In Canada, Tzu Chi volunteers have been working with the Salvation Army to provide hot meals to those in need for 13 years.

In the bitter cold of winter when many parts of Canada are covered by snow, our volunteers prepare hot meals for those in need and give them gloves, hats, winter clothing, etc.

We see how grateful the homeless were

(So, when we are healthy and able,)

Instead of going sightseeing, we should use the time to care for the homeless and bring them comfort and warmth.

As Mr. Huang said, when he received the bowl of hot porridge, he thought to himself that it would be nice if the quake victims could have hot porridge to eat, too.

That's right.

See, in Canada, to serve the homeless and those from low-income families our volunteers had to take several buses to come and prepare hot dishes for people in need.

So, while spending time traveling, why don't we make our trips more meaningful by contributing our time to benefit others?

So, our mind determines whether we do things that are beneficial or harmful.

(It all depends on the direction of our thoughts)

I'm truly very grateful.

Living in this world, if everyone is able to tell right from wrong, this will be the most beautiful world.

 

 

 

 

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 心地風光覺圓明 虛擬世界迷自性 幸遇貴人導正途 展獻人間真善美 新店人文真善美志工黃鴻明，先前為了勸阻孩子不要沈迷電玩，沒想到投入之後，比兒子還沈迷；住在同社區的人文志工，知道他對電腦比較熟悉，邀請他參與剪接，現在成了團隊中不可或缺的剪接高手。 證嚴上人在志工早會上開示，覺與迷都是在一念之間，唯有運用智慧，用在真正需要的世界裡，就能發揮良能，造福社會，成為社會上一股善的力量。 俐落地操作電腦，常常三四小時不起身，只為了完成一部部慈濟大藏經，他是新店人文志工黃鴻明，之所以愛上電腦，最初是為了勸阻兒子玩網路遊戲，沒想到自己卻沈迷其中。在其他人文志工的鼓勵下，這雙沈迷電玩的手，現在承擔起剪接重任。 原本一天得抽三包菸的黃鴻明，偶然間聽到上人的開示，下定決定戒除多年惡習。而黃鴻明經營的便利商店，現在不但成了社區的夜間環保道場，地下室現在也是人文真善美的工作室，全家人在看到他的改變後，相繼都成了慈濟人。 因為轉念，讓黃鴻明找對了人生方向；珍愛生命，同樣發揮良能，造福社會，如今他也是社會上一股善的力量。 2008/12/17

 

 

 

 

 

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:  Opportunities are fleeting, so we must seize upon the good intentions of a moment and carry them through to the best of our ability always.

今日靜思語: 因緣稍縱即逝, 把握剎那的心念, 恆常盡心盡力去做 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

971216人間菩提英文版Cherishing the Stability in Society and Working to Sow Blessings

Cherishing the Stability in Society and Working to Sow Blessings每日播出內容 ｜ 300K 300K ｜ 56K

人間菩提--珍惜平安同造福

 

Take a look at Greece.

On December 6, (clashes between a group of youths and police)led to a 15-year-old boy being shot dead by the police. Following this incident, widespread riots erpted in parts of the country and even now, the riots still continue.

As Christmas will be coming soon, this is the time for businesses to sell more goods and make greater earnings.

But many stores have been looted and destroyed suffering severe losses.

For these places where there are riots, it will take quite some time to restore the places to their original state let alone that such discontent among the people has not been quelled and appeased yet has not been quelled and appeased yet.

With the current global economic crisis on top of the riots that are yet to be subdued,

Such disorder and unrest in society is like a storm creating turbulence.

Indeed, amidst such social unrest, not only is the economy affected, what's worse is that the disorder and chaos (could lead to people getting hurt)

At any time, something could happen to endanger people's lives.

One never knows when a devastating conflict or crisis could occur and when they could get hurt or even be killed.

When there is social unrest, it is in truth a great misfortune for the people.

So, we truly must cherish our peaceful and stable times.

We must cherish the peace and harmony in society because it is peace and harmony that enables us to have good, blessed circumstances.

To be able to have a good life, we need to live in peace with one another, interact harmoniously with one another, and be pure and clean in both body and mind.

(Our life can be blessed only when we)

(have peace and harmony)

We see the launch of direct daily flights, cargo shipping, and postal links between Taiwan and China.

This is a historical milestone.

May there always be peace and harmony between people so that everything can go smoothly.

May everyone in this world, truly lead their lives peacefully for peace is what makes the world blessed.

So, we must understand this and always cherish the life we have now, with this awareness.

However, climate conditions are very erratic as we see flooding in some parts of Rome while in the Northeast of the U.S.

These are all natural disasters.

Although the hardship people are enduring is brought about by erratic climate conditions as long as we have love in our hearts such love can still bring warmth to others like the winter sun.

Beginning in November, our Tzu Chi volunteers in New York have been collecting second-hand winter clothing.

(to give out to those in need)

This event actually dates back to 1996. Back then, when we learned that many homeless people in the U.S. suffered from the bitter cold during winter, we shipped many sleeping bags from Taiwan to New York to distribute to the homeless.

At that time, (our volunteers in the U.S. also started to) collect second-hand winter clothes and (have been doing so every year since then)

After they sorted out the clothes, they went out in the evening, loading their cars with the sleeping bags the winter clothing and hot meals to give out to the homeless on the streets.

That was how our volunteers in New York started collecting second-hand clothing every winter.

After sorting it out, they'd distribute the clothing to those who are in need of clothing to wear.

This year, our volunteers in New York put even more effort into promoting this activity urging people to donate clothing that they no longer wear so that it could be given out to those in need.

Owing to our volunteers' efforts, over 10,000 pieces of clothing were collected this year.

Before giving out the clothing, our volunteers would first sort out the clothing by category and size.

Because of the current economic downturn, (more people than usual came to)

(our distribution sites looking for clothing)

But some of them would first hang around outside saying that they were very curious about the clothing.

In fact, they were looking for clothing.

(To make them feel comfortable)

(about getting the clothing) our volunteers would greet them kindly and chat with them.

Knowing that they were in need of clothing, they'd provide them with clothes and put them nicely and neatly in bags.

Sorting out all those clothes was truly hard work for our Tzu Chi volunteers in New York.

They braved the harsh winter to come all the way to help sort out the second-hand clothing.

It's truly heartwarming to see.

Despite the freezing cold winter, the love and care of our volunteers can warm the hearts of all those who suffer from the freezing cold.

Seeing that, I'm truly very grateful.

Everyone, we truly must (take good care of our heart and mind)

We must cherish and take care to preserve the peace and safety we have now.

To have peace and safety, everyone's mind must be filled with peace and harmony.

Despite the economic slowdown we're experiencing, as long as people's minds are filled with harmony and everyone can cherish the peace and safety we have in society no matter how difficult life is, we'll be able to survive it.

What poses a greater danger than poverty is the disorder in society.

So, even if people are less well-to-do, as long as everyone can work together in unity,  

Harmony, and mutual love, we'll be able to overcome all difficulties.

(Let us lead a simple life) where we keep our hearts pure and live our lives peacefully.

If we can do so, we'll be able to make it through the economic downturn fine.

In fact, at a time like this, we shouldn't be wasteful.

Lately, people in Taiwan have been talking about how they're going to use the shopping voucher that the government is going to give out soon.

We should use it on things we really need (rather than waste it on wants)

In fact, if everyone can overcome their desires and lead a simpler lifestyle, we actually won't need to use that shopping voucher at all.

If we can pool our shopping vouchers together and use them to help those in need.

(I'm sure a lot of people can benefit)

All in all, what we decide to do can either benefit others or stimulate our greed.

It all depends on our frame of mind.

It's also our mindset that determines whether we will have blessings or disaster.

 

 

 

 

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 人間禍福一念心 寒冬送暖慰遊民 守護平安度難關 和睦清淨無上福 人世間禍福都在一念之間，希臘警察值勤過程中開槍擊斃一名青少年，引發希臘34年來最嚴重的暴動，經濟損失估計超過十三億美元，讓不景氣的冬天更加寒冷。不過在寒冬中也有人間溫情，美國慈濟人帶動社會大眾，捐出家裡穿不到的冬衣，送給遊民保暖，不但遊民心懷感恩，捐贈者也學會珍惜物命。 上人說，其實社會的動盪禍端，都起於一點點的毫芒小事，所以我們時時刻刻要戒慎虔誠，人心和睦，社會才能平安。 接連的爆炸伴隨熊熊火光，充斥著原本優美的希臘街道，因為警察擊斃一名青少年的事故，引發希臘34年來最嚴重的暴動，四百多家商店遭到破壞，全國估計損失將近13億美元，加上全球金融危機，讓希臘今年的冬天特別寒冷。 心中有愛才能撫平動盪不安，隨著經濟越來越不景氣，美國淪落街頭的遊民越來越多，美國慈濟人向社會募集善念與物資，再親切為需要的人送上愛心暖流，溫暖所有苦難人的心。 社會是祥和或是動盪，都在人心一念之間，人人心靈和睦互相扶持，再困難的日子都能平安度過。 2008/12/16

 

 

 

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:  If we work with a joyful heart, no matter how tiring and demanding the task is, we will be rewarded with a sense of bliss and joy.

今日靜思語: 以歡喜心做事, 即使忙碌卻不感到辛苦, 反而覺得甘甜.