人間菩提--嚴冬中的暖陽
Bringing Warmth to People in the Festive Season
In such bitter cold winter, Tzu Chi members arrived at Sichuan yesterday.
We see that the locals as well as Tzu Chi volunteers who arrived earlier to make preparations and the local volunteers all happily welcomed those who arrived yesterday.
See how warm the atmosphere was when they met.
It was very cold but everyone’s heart was filled with warmth.
It is selfless Great Love that, like the sunshine in winter, brings warmth amidst the bitter cold.
In such cold weather, most people would not want to go out, but a group of people came all he way from Taiwan.
They traveled such a long distance across the sea and mountains to arrive at the town in Sichuan all because they could not bear to see people suffer from the cold, especially as they’ve already suffered an earthquake.
In May, Sichuan was struck by a major earthquake.
All the time, despite the hot weather, Tzu Chi volunteers went to the disaster areas (to provide aid to those affected)
(Because of the loving care they gave,) they formed a close bond with the locals just as if they were family.
(So, when our volunteers went back this time,) the locals, who are now our volunteers warmly welcomed our Tzu Chi volunteers from Taiwan.
The local people have been anticipating our volunteers’ return as if our volunteers were their family coming home for a festive family reunion.
You came here all the way from Taiwan, and we are very moved by you.
So, we should learn from your spirit.
That’s why we decided to serve as volunteers.
This is a card to express their gratitude and well wishes to us.
They also put the theme for this year’s Year-end Blessings Ceremony in it.
What’s most special is that they even put our names in it and wrote:
“You are the lotus flower in my heart”
On the back of the card, it says:
“You will always remain”
“in the hearts of the people of Sichuan”
I feel that this sentence truly gives us great encouragement.
This morning, at around 6 a.m. in Sichuan even before it was light out, our volunteers set off despite the bone-chilling cold to go to the distribution site.
Seeing that, I am truly very grateful.
They do this because this is the first winter after the earthquake and so we must go there to offer supplies that they need for the winter.
Our volunteers prepared clothing, warm quilts, food, etc.
We also see that our volunteers went to inspect the quilts.
Each one is over 4 kg.
Okay
It’s passed.
The manufacturer also felt the love our volunteers have for the people, so he did his best to make the best quality quilts.
He even gave us more than what we asked for, which really touched us.
See, such is the cycle of love, which can (inspire others to give of their love)
We also saw how our volunteers checked the rice.
The rice that we give must be of good quality too so our volunteers also went to inspect the rice.
See how they took a random sample from a sack of rice to see how much broken rice was in it.
See, such is Tzu Chi volunteers’ love, which they show through their mindfulness and not just through words only.
They not only made sure of the quantity but also demanded quality.
So, be it thermal underwear, quilts, rice grains, etc., they were very mindful in everything they did.
So, the first of our winter aid distributions in China has begun.
Let’s now turn to other parts of the world.
Many western countries are now covered with snow.
Despite that, Tzu Chi volunteers are going out to help people in need.
What they give can truly warm people’s hearts.
They’re doing this because this is the time when westerners are celebrating Christmas.
See how Tzu Chi volunteers also put on a Santa costume and go visit churches. Senior homes, orphanages, homeless shelters etc as well as go to see our care recipients one by one to bring love and care.
This is what Tzu Chi volunteers are doing.
We are continually receiving news of their work.
See, how important our blankets are to those in need.
Upon receiving it, a woman held it up and laid her face against it.
They go to visit schools, senior homes among many other places, and they also go to visit people under their care one by one.
See, that is how our Tzu Chi volunteers dedicate themselves with love and mindfulness.
Not only do they provide material goods, but, most importantly, (they warm people’s hearts)
Aside from giving people clothes and blankets as well as socks and hats and food, our volunteers also give them coin banks and share with them the story of how Tzu Chi started and then tell them that by giving whatever little they can spare every day.
They too can help those in need.
By encouraging others to do this, we hope that people would not underestimate what they can do to help others and to warm people’s hearts.
So, warmth isn’t only something the sun can bring; our volunteers also hope that people can (warm others’ hearts also by giving their love)
This is the love of our Tzu Chi volunteers.
I’m truly very grateful.
Our volunteers in the Philippines are also doing the same.
With Christianity being the predominant religion there, Christmas is widely celebrated. (as it’s a major holiday for Christians)
(Despite being of different religious beliefs) our volunteers in the Philippines hoped that those of our care recipients who are Christian could have a joyful & heartwarming Christmas.
So, they are now holding several winter distributions in the Philippines, treating all with respect and abundant love.
Seeing them express their gratitude to one another.
I’m truly very moved.
Our volunteers not only provided warmth and love in countries where it is cold and snowy.
In countries where the weather is warm and where Christmas is celebrated, they also brought a sense of festivity and warmth.
I’m truly moved by what they’ve done.
All in all, our volunteers worldwide are spreading seeds of love.
They not only give people things that are useful, they also sow seeds of love in people’s hearts. (which will not only benefit themselves,) but also enable them to help others.
Such is the passing on of love.
For that, I’m truly very grateful.
(Our volunteers are indeed)
(bringing life and vigor to others, which comes) only when people are safe and well.
So, Japanese often speak of “gen ki” or “o gen ki,” which is to wish people vitality and to be safe and well.
We should be grateful for living in peace and safety.
2009-01-31
971222人間菩提英文版Genuine Love that Warms Quake Survivors' Hearts
人間菩提--溫暖與誠懇之愛
Genuine Love that Warms Quake Survivors' Hearts
We want to give the best quality rice to the villagers.
This time, Master particularly asked us to give them rice that is not over-polished.
Master said that we should give others things of good quality and be considerate as to their needs.
Since some villagers are elderly people, we want quilt covers that feel soft and not too rough.
Time truly passes by very quickly.
In May 2008, Sichuan province in China as well as Myanmar were devastated by disasters.
I’m sure this is still fresh in everyone’s mind.
So, since May, Tzu Chi has been carrying on a relief mission in these parts.
In Sichuan alone, for the first stage of our relief mission 18 aid teams from Taiwan took turns to carry out a relay of love.
After the first stage of the relief mission ended, our construction volunteer bodhisattvas continued to stay in Sichuan to construct temporary classrooms for the local children
They’ve stayed there for over six months now.
Besides the construction work, they also went with our volunteers to visit the quake survivors helped make up a roster of those who require aid and organized the goods to be distributed.
Our construction volunteers have been there for over six months now.
As our winter aid distributions are approaching, previously, they were busy purchasing relief goods.
There were many tasks involved.
If Tzu Chi volunteers’ love can inspire shop owners, then the shop owners will put their love into the relief goods which are to be distributed to villagers.
Such Great Love is what we hope to give to villagers.
See, the distribution goods were continuously pouring in, and there are so many kinds of them.
Just purchasing clothing was a lot of work.
How are our volunteers to allocate the goods?
They have to know the number of people in each village that require aid and their age and gender, and then they need to transport these goods which include food and things for their daily living to the local areas with the exact amount for everyone.
Some of our volunteers have arrived earlier to make preparations for the aid distributions.
Our two activity centers in Sichuan will soon open for use.
(and this year’s Year-end Blessings Ceremonies)
(will be held there)
So, the activity centers should look very stately and dignified.
Besides the building materials, we also needed to purchase chairs, tables, etc.
Do you know when the local volunteers went with our volunteer, Mr. Lin and our staff, Mr. Huang, to purchase chairs, though it was just chairs, they were still very particular about it.
(They gave thought to) what kind of chairs the elderly would find most sturdy and comfortable to sit in and also what would be the most comfortable position to sit in.
They wanted the chairs to be sturdy, of good quality & at a modest price.
Indeed, a local volunteer even said that it was an eye-opening experience
At first, I only though that we could definitely buy chairs here so we came here to take a look.
But I never thought there’d be so much to consider such as the elderly’s needs
(and whether the chair makes them feel separate)
(or connected with others)
The volunteers we went with were truly mindful and I really learned a lot.
She thought that purchasing would be very easy but it turned out there was a lot to it.
This morning, our volunteers who’ll be distributing aid in Sichuan left Taiwan.
This time, over 200 volunteers will be participating in the upcoming winter distributions in Sichuan.
Among them are local businessmen and volunteers from Taiwan as well as local volunteers amounting to over 200 people altogether.
It is clearly a very large group.
In addition to distributing material goods, they’ll also be holding groundbreaking ceremonies for the schools we’ll be constructing and opening ceremonies for the two activity centers we’ve built as well as the Year-End Blessing Ceremonies
I also saw a news report on Da Ai TV where a teacher said:
“Those who used to serve as”
“little Tzu Chi volunteers,”
“please raise your hands”
At least half the class raised their hands.
The teacher then asked these students to be little helpers and teach everyone in the class how to perform sign language.
I can’t wait to see you again because I haven’t seen you for a long time. The construction work for the activity centers is nearly finished so I hope I can serve as a volunteer again soon and that you can come to Luoshui soon.
They intend to do a sign language performance at the groundbreaking ceremony.
(to show their gratitude)and show our volunteers what they’ve learned.
See how caring these children are and how they bear in mind Tzu Chi’s spirit and persevere in upholding it and pass it on to others.
I’m also grateful to the local teachers for passing on the humanistic values of Tzu Chi’s Education Mission.
They instill these values in the local students and encourage them to practice them.
So, seeing how the local teachers and students attach so much importance to our humanistic values.
I truly feel much hope.
Following the earthquake disaster, we now see such rays of hope in Sichuan.
Their future is truly very bright and hopeful.
All in all, this is the first winter after the earthquake devastated Sichuan in May,
(and it’s been snowing in many parts of China)
The rich may do snow activities and enjoy themselves while the poor will have to endure the freezing cold weather as they don’t have (enough clothing to keep them warm)
So, we’re now bringing warmth to those in need by giving them clothing, blankets, food supplies, etc.(as well as holding Year-end Blessings Ceremonies)
(to give them our best wishes,) and guiding them to welcome in the new year.
(with a positive mindset of hope)
So, before Tzu Chi members in Taiwan left today for the winter relief distributions in China, yesterday, everyone met with me via videoconferencing, connecting four places.
I shared with tem that Tzu Chi first gave aid in China in 1991, are for the past 18 years, Tzu Chi volunteers have been caring for the people in China, continually, thus paving a path with their love.
So, I hope that those who are going this time can continue to pave this path through their love and also cherish this path that others have paved by taking each step mindfully along every inch of the path and further pave it for others to come.
That was what I shared with them yesterday.
I truly wish I could go to Sichuan, but I cannot
So, when they called me early this morning before they boarded the plane.
I told them:
“Please bring my heart with you
(“Everyone must remember what I said”)
“When interacting with every person”
“who comes to receive the supplies,”
“please give him or her your fullest love”
I also asked them to express to the local volunteers my gratitude and to the local authorities as well for the support they’ve given us.
And for all the volunteers who went there earlier to make preparations as well as those.(who had surveyed the locals’ needs)
(and made rosters of aid recipients---)
I have also asked our volunteers who left today to express to them my gratitude.
It is my hope that our volunteers can speak the words that I want to say and carry out the work with the same attitude that I would if I were there.
I also hope that everyone can truly love and care for one another in the team.
There are too many things to be grateful for.
After this group of Tzu Chi members arrive, beginning tomorrow and through the week, they’ll give out supplies attend the groundbreaking ceremonies of the schools we’ll be building for them and hold Year-end Blessings Ceremonies.
It is our sincere and earnest hope that the locals who are to receive our aid can have adequate clothing and food this winter.
That is what we earnestly hope for
9:23
Genuine Love that Warms Quake Survivors' Hearts
We want to give the best quality rice to the villagers.
This time, Master particularly asked us to give them rice that is not over-polished.
Master said that we should give others things of good quality and be considerate as to their needs.
Since some villagers are elderly people, we want quilt covers that feel soft and not too rough.
Time truly passes by very quickly.
In May 2008, Sichuan province in China as well as Myanmar were devastated by disasters.
I’m sure this is still fresh in everyone’s mind.
So, since May, Tzu Chi has been carrying on a relief mission in these parts.
In Sichuan alone, for the first stage of our relief mission 18 aid teams from Taiwan took turns to carry out a relay of love.
After the first stage of the relief mission ended, our construction volunteer bodhisattvas continued to stay in Sichuan to construct temporary classrooms for the local children
They’ve stayed there for over six months now.
Besides the construction work, they also went with our volunteers to visit the quake survivors helped make up a roster of those who require aid and organized the goods to be distributed.
Our construction volunteers have been there for over six months now.
As our winter aid distributions are approaching, previously, they were busy purchasing relief goods.
There were many tasks involved.
If Tzu Chi volunteers’ love can inspire shop owners, then the shop owners will put their love into the relief goods which are to be distributed to villagers.
Such Great Love is what we hope to give to villagers.
See, the distribution goods were continuously pouring in, and there are so many kinds of them.
Just purchasing clothing was a lot of work.
How are our volunteers to allocate the goods?
They have to know the number of people in each village that require aid and their age and gender, and then they need to transport these goods which include food and things for their daily living to the local areas with the exact amount for everyone.
Some of our volunteers have arrived earlier to make preparations for the aid distributions.
Our two activity centers in Sichuan will soon open for use.
(and this year’s Year-end Blessings Ceremonies)
(will be held there)
So, the activity centers should look very stately and dignified.
Besides the building materials, we also needed to purchase chairs, tables, etc.
Do you know when the local volunteers went with our volunteer, Mr. Lin and our staff, Mr. Huang, to purchase chairs, though it was just chairs, they were still very particular about it.
(They gave thought to) what kind of chairs the elderly would find most sturdy and comfortable to sit in and also what would be the most comfortable position to sit in.
They wanted the chairs to be sturdy, of good quality & at a modest price.
Indeed, a local volunteer even said that it was an eye-opening experience
At first, I only though that we could definitely buy chairs here so we came here to take a look.
But I never thought there’d be so much to consider such as the elderly’s needs
(and whether the chair makes them feel separate)
(or connected with others)
The volunteers we went with were truly mindful and I really learned a lot.
She thought that purchasing would be very easy but it turned out there was a lot to it.
This morning, our volunteers who’ll be distributing aid in Sichuan left Taiwan.
This time, over 200 volunteers will be participating in the upcoming winter distributions in Sichuan.
Among them are local businessmen and volunteers from Taiwan as well as local volunteers amounting to over 200 people altogether.
It is clearly a very large group.
In addition to distributing material goods, they’ll also be holding groundbreaking ceremonies for the schools we’ll be constructing and opening ceremonies for the two activity centers we’ve built as well as the Year-End Blessing Ceremonies
I also saw a news report on Da Ai TV where a teacher said:
“Those who used to serve as”
“little Tzu Chi volunteers,”
“please raise your hands”
At least half the class raised their hands.
The teacher then asked these students to be little helpers and teach everyone in the class how to perform sign language.
I can’t wait to see you again because I haven’t seen you for a long time. The construction work for the activity centers is nearly finished so I hope I can serve as a volunteer again soon and that you can come to Luoshui soon.
They intend to do a sign language performance at the groundbreaking ceremony.
(to show their gratitude)and show our volunteers what they’ve learned.
See how caring these children are and how they bear in mind Tzu Chi’s spirit and persevere in upholding it and pass it on to others.
I’m also grateful to the local teachers for passing on the humanistic values of Tzu Chi’s Education Mission.
They instill these values in the local students and encourage them to practice them.
So, seeing how the local teachers and students attach so much importance to our humanistic values.
I truly feel much hope.
Following the earthquake disaster, we now see such rays of hope in Sichuan.
Their future is truly very bright and hopeful.
All in all, this is the first winter after the earthquake devastated Sichuan in May,
(and it’s been snowing in many parts of China)
The rich may do snow activities and enjoy themselves while the poor will have to endure the freezing cold weather as they don’t have (enough clothing to keep them warm)
So, we’re now bringing warmth to those in need by giving them clothing, blankets, food supplies, etc.(as well as holding Year-end Blessings Ceremonies)
(to give them our best wishes,) and guiding them to welcome in the new year.
(with a positive mindset of hope)
So, before Tzu Chi members in Taiwan left today for the winter relief distributions in China, yesterday, everyone met with me via videoconferencing, connecting four places.
I shared with tem that Tzu Chi first gave aid in China in 1991, are for the past 18 years, Tzu Chi volunteers have been caring for the people in China, continually, thus paving a path with their love.
So, I hope that those who are going this time can continue to pave this path through their love and also cherish this path that others have paved by taking each step mindfully along every inch of the path and further pave it for others to come.
That was what I shared with them yesterday.
I truly wish I could go to Sichuan, but I cannot
So, when they called me early this morning before they boarded the plane.
I told them:
“Please bring my heart with you
(“Everyone must remember what I said”)
“When interacting with every person”
“who comes to receive the supplies,”
“please give him or her your fullest love”
I also asked them to express to the local volunteers my gratitude and to the local authorities as well for the support they’ve given us.
And for all the volunteers who went there earlier to make preparations as well as those.(who had surveyed the locals’ needs)
(and made rosters of aid recipients---)
I have also asked our volunteers who left today to express to them my gratitude.
It is my hope that our volunteers can speak the words that I want to say and carry out the work with the same attitude that I would if I were there.
I also hope that everyone can truly love and care for one another in the team.
There are too many things to be grateful for.
After this group of Tzu Chi members arrive, beginning tomorrow and through the week, they’ll give out supplies attend the groundbreaking ceremonies of the schools we’ll be building for them and hold Year-end Blessings Ceremonies.
It is our sincere and earnest hope that the locals who are to receive our aid can have adequate clothing and food this winter.
That is what we earnestly hope for
9:23
971221人間菩提英文版Year-end Blessing Ceremony:Welcoming the New Year with Love
人間菩提--用愛心迎接未來
Year-end Blessing Ceremony:Welcoming the New Year with Love
I’m truly filled with gratitude.
Our Year-end Blessings Ceremony has started to be held, beginning last month.
Tzu Chi members work hard to hold the ceremony, hoping to inspire people to be grateful for this past year, and to welcome the new year with love.
It is truly moving to see their efforts.
We also see that starting in July or August our Tzu Chi volunteers began making the hong-baos and gluing the rice grains onto it.
People of all ages (participated in the activity with joy)
We see that even people with ailments participated such as Zhen-ye.
Though she has difficulty walking due to bone cancer and her hands would shake, she still participates because she wishes to from good affinities with people far and wide---
She knows that with the hong-bao she makes, she will form a good affinity with whoever receives it, wherever they are.
So, instead of resting at home due to her illness she would rather work on the hong-baos with other Tzu Chi volunteers.
We also saw a grandpa in his eighties.
Actually, he became Tzu Chi’s care recipient three years ago.
Tzu Chi volunteers visit him regularly just as if they were his children.
Our volunteers always invite him to attend the Year-end Blessings Ceremony.
They even traveled far to bring him there.
Are you happy today?
I didn’t sleep last night.
You didn’t sleep last night?
He was too excited.
When he received the hong-bao, it warmed his heart and made him so happy.
So, around the time of the new year, our volunteers are very busy
I often say that I’m very grateful for all that they do
Do you know how many have been preparing for the ceremony over the past few months?
At every Tzu Chi office (around Taiwan) whenever our volunteers had spare time,
they would come to make the hong-baos.
And, to make it convenient for attendees to attend the ceremony would be held at a local venue.
(Our volunteers would have to)
(rent a suitable venue, and they always)
go there a few days before the ceremony to give the place a good tidying up.
They would wash and scrub the restrooms clean, etc.
They do this at every venue the ceremony is held.
Why do they do this?
Because it is Tzu Chi’ s way.
We cherish every place that we use no matter if we only use if for two or four hours.
We also do this to set a good example.
A hall that holds a ceremony ought to be clean.
That is how we show respect to the attendees.
When we hold the ceremony is schools, we also clean it, so that every place the students set foot on will be clean. This is to teach the students.
No matter what kind of venue we use, we have to be respectful towards the people who attend the ceremony so that coming there.
There is an air of humanity and respect.
I have to thank all our Tzu Chi volunteers for their hard work be it finding a venue managing traffic, or arranging the transportation.
All of this has to be planned many days in advance in order for everything to go smoothly.
Setting up the venue arranging transportation,
(making all the hong-baos and gifts)---all these require months of work.
So, Tzu Chi volunteers.
I’m truly grateful to you.
In Taiwan, even though it’s now winter, we feel warm because of
(your love which is like the winter sunshine)
As all of you know, lately, I’ve been very worried about the situation in Zimbabwe because of the cholera outbreak that began in Aug.
The situation is truly very worrying Tzu Chi volunteers from South Africa had gone to a South African city bordering Zimbabwe because many Zimbabweans have fled there.
Some already have cholera while some are still healthy
But, they all lack food and medicine.
So, our Tzu Chi volunteers in South Africa went to the border city to offer care and to understand their needs and how we can help.
The water they have is very dirty.
Though they’ve escaped to the South African border, there is still a serious food shortage.
Even worse is the lack of clean drinking water.
What they really need now is water purification tablets.
Later, Tzu Chi volunteers surmounted many difficulties and finally were able to procure 9,600 tablets.
On Dec. 17, ten volunteers, including Mr. Cai and Mr. Zhu,
(our main contact persons in Zimbabwe)distributed water purification tablets.
(in a township of he capital)
Before the distribution, our volunteers had first sought permission from the local police and the distribution had been approved.
When the distribution first began, things went smoothly but toward the end of the distribution a large crowd suddenly gathered around and surrounded our vehicle.
When our volunteers saw the crowd closing in, they quickly got into the vehicle and closed its doors.
The crowd pounded on the car’s doors.
It was really a dangerous situation.
They were finally able to make an escape.
The incident had given everyone a fright and it has made me even more worried.
The incident reflects the difficulty we face in trying to get supplies into the country.
It’s already hard enough getting in urgently needed medicine and water purification tablets much less food supplies.
Of the food, what they need most now is cornmeal a staple of their diet.
(They are running out of food)
So, besides the lack of medicine, there’s also lack of food.
Their plight is truly heartbreaking
Look at the life in this country.
It is truly……
Seeing their conditions, we must truly realize how blessed we are and not be wasteful in our daily living.
We must live more simply and frugally.
It’s a blessing just to be safe and well.
Seeing all that’s happening around the world every day, there are heartbreaking situations.
But we also see that here, where all is safe and well, every day, people are working together to help one another and wishing each other well.
People are dedicating themselves to the community and from every person hey encounter, they’re learning about life’s truths and are developing wisdom.
There was one little boy who is only six years old.
His mother had told him that if he saved up money in his coin bank, at the end of the year, she’ll take them to Japan for a vacation.
So, all throughout the year, he diligently saved up money.
While at our Year-end Blessings Ceremony,
(he saw footage of people in suffering)
It made him ask many “whys”
“Why are people dying from hunger?” he asked.
“Why was there an earthquake?”
He had a lot of “whys”
I told him, “We aren’t going hungry”
“but we still want to fly off to Japan”
“What should we do with the money?”
He said, “I want o donate it”
“to help those kids who are going hungry
This is wisdom.
He’s only six.
It is only because we are safe and well that our children can be so blessed and wise.
Everyone, truly, every person, be it an elderly person, a sick person, or a little child---
Every person has the Buddha within. Everyone has compassion and is willing to help others.
Everyone is capable of living in a way the follows the Dharma---living with contentment and gratitude.
See, this is how things are in a place where all is safe and well.
At this year-end, I wish everyone well and hope every day can be a day where all is safe and harmonious.
Year-end Blessing Ceremony:Welcoming the New Year with Love
I’m truly filled with gratitude.
Our Year-end Blessings Ceremony has started to be held, beginning last month.
Tzu Chi members work hard to hold the ceremony, hoping to inspire people to be grateful for this past year, and to welcome the new year with love.
It is truly moving to see their efforts.
We also see that starting in July or August our Tzu Chi volunteers began making the hong-baos and gluing the rice grains onto it.
People of all ages (participated in the activity with joy)
We see that even people with ailments participated such as Zhen-ye.
Though she has difficulty walking due to bone cancer and her hands would shake, she still participates because she wishes to from good affinities with people far and wide---
She knows that with the hong-bao she makes, she will form a good affinity with whoever receives it, wherever they are.
So, instead of resting at home due to her illness she would rather work on the hong-baos with other Tzu Chi volunteers.
We also saw a grandpa in his eighties.
Actually, he became Tzu Chi’s care recipient three years ago.
Tzu Chi volunteers visit him regularly just as if they were his children.
Our volunteers always invite him to attend the Year-end Blessings Ceremony.
They even traveled far to bring him there.
Are you happy today?
I didn’t sleep last night.
You didn’t sleep last night?
He was too excited.
When he received the hong-bao, it warmed his heart and made him so happy.
So, around the time of the new year, our volunteers are very busy
I often say that I’m very grateful for all that they do
Do you know how many have been preparing for the ceremony over the past few months?
At every Tzu Chi office (around Taiwan) whenever our volunteers had spare time,
they would come to make the hong-baos.
And, to make it convenient for attendees to attend the ceremony would be held at a local venue.
(Our volunteers would have to)
(rent a suitable venue, and they always)
go there a few days before the ceremony to give the place a good tidying up.
They would wash and scrub the restrooms clean, etc.
They do this at every venue the ceremony is held.
Why do they do this?
Because it is Tzu Chi’ s way.
We cherish every place that we use no matter if we only use if for two or four hours.
We also do this to set a good example.
A hall that holds a ceremony ought to be clean.
That is how we show respect to the attendees.
When we hold the ceremony is schools, we also clean it, so that every place the students set foot on will be clean. This is to teach the students.
No matter what kind of venue we use, we have to be respectful towards the people who attend the ceremony so that coming there.
There is an air of humanity and respect.
I have to thank all our Tzu Chi volunteers for their hard work be it finding a venue managing traffic, or arranging the transportation.
All of this has to be planned many days in advance in order for everything to go smoothly.
Setting up the venue arranging transportation,
(making all the hong-baos and gifts)---all these require months of work.
So, Tzu Chi volunteers.
I’m truly grateful to you.
In Taiwan, even though it’s now winter, we feel warm because of
(your love which is like the winter sunshine)
As all of you know, lately, I’ve been very worried about the situation in Zimbabwe because of the cholera outbreak that began in Aug.
The situation is truly very worrying Tzu Chi volunteers from South Africa had gone to a South African city bordering Zimbabwe because many Zimbabweans have fled there.
Some already have cholera while some are still healthy
But, they all lack food and medicine.
So, our Tzu Chi volunteers in South Africa went to the border city to offer care and to understand their needs and how we can help.
The water they have is very dirty.
Though they’ve escaped to the South African border, there is still a serious food shortage.
Even worse is the lack of clean drinking water.
What they really need now is water purification tablets.
Later, Tzu Chi volunteers surmounted many difficulties and finally were able to procure 9,600 tablets.
On Dec. 17, ten volunteers, including Mr. Cai and Mr. Zhu,
(our main contact persons in Zimbabwe)distributed water purification tablets.
(in a township of he capital)
Before the distribution, our volunteers had first sought permission from the local police and the distribution had been approved.
When the distribution first began, things went smoothly but toward the end of the distribution a large crowd suddenly gathered around and surrounded our vehicle.
When our volunteers saw the crowd closing in, they quickly got into the vehicle and closed its doors.
The crowd pounded on the car’s doors.
It was really a dangerous situation.
They were finally able to make an escape.
The incident had given everyone a fright and it has made me even more worried.
The incident reflects the difficulty we face in trying to get supplies into the country.
It’s already hard enough getting in urgently needed medicine and water purification tablets much less food supplies.
Of the food, what they need most now is cornmeal a staple of their diet.
(They are running out of food)
So, besides the lack of medicine, there’s also lack of food.
Their plight is truly heartbreaking
Look at the life in this country.
It is truly……
Seeing their conditions, we must truly realize how blessed we are and not be wasteful in our daily living.
We must live more simply and frugally.
It’s a blessing just to be safe and well.
Seeing all that’s happening around the world every day, there are heartbreaking situations.
But we also see that here, where all is safe and well, every day, people are working together to help one another and wishing each other well.
People are dedicating themselves to the community and from every person hey encounter, they’re learning about life’s truths and are developing wisdom.
There was one little boy who is only six years old.
His mother had told him that if he saved up money in his coin bank, at the end of the year, she’ll take them to Japan for a vacation.
So, all throughout the year, he diligently saved up money.
While at our Year-end Blessings Ceremony,
(he saw footage of people in suffering)
It made him ask many “whys”
“Why are people dying from hunger?” he asked.
“Why was there an earthquake?”
He had a lot of “whys”
I told him, “We aren’t going hungry”
“but we still want to fly off to Japan”
“What should we do with the money?”
He said, “I want o donate it”
“to help those kids who are going hungry
This is wisdom.
He’s only six.
It is only because we are safe and well that our children can be so blessed and wise.
Everyone, truly, every person, be it an elderly person, a sick person, or a little child---
Every person has the Buddha within. Everyone has compassion and is willing to help others.
Everyone is capable of living in a way the follows the Dharma---living with contentment and gratitude.
See, this is how things are in a place where all is safe and well.
At this year-end, I wish everyone well and hope every day can be a day where all is safe and harmonious.
971220人間菩提英文版Grandma A-chun─the Happy Recycling Volunteer
人間菩提--圓融無礙幸福人
Grandma A-chun─the Happy Recycling Volunteer
“Grandma A-chun, where are we going?”
“We’re going to Siluo”
“to do recycling work”
“Do you all get together every day”
“and then go do recycling work?”
“Yes”
“We want to keep the earth clean”
“so we all like doing recycling”
“Money will one day be sued up, but merits will not”
“It’s better to do good deeds”
“and leave merits to our children than money”
“If they’re not frugal, they’ll spend all the money”
“It’s not good”
“I’m the happiest person”
“so I need to be grateful”
“In a tea party where people sit outside”
“in the courtyard and talk about happiness”
“I’m the happiest person”
“I would tell them that I’m he happiest person”
“I really need to be grateful.”
“My children grew up to be good people”
“I also need to be grateful to them”
“for being so filial”
Who is the happiest and most blessed?
It’s those who give of themselves.
Joy and happiness come from the mindset of giving of ourselves willingly.
Indeed, those who have love for others are the people with the greatest happiness.
In the footage, we saw a large group of elderly recycling volunteers---
“grass-root bodhisattvas”
They all live in Yunlin County and most of them are in their sixties or seventies.
They all got involved in recycling thanks to Grandma A-chun, who is herself age 75.
She’s the one who organized them.
Grandma A-chun does all kinds of volunteer work, not just recycling work.
She’s also our culinary volunteer and volunteers in Tzu Chi’s hospitals.
Wherever there’s a need, she will organize a group to help.
There are over then, twenty people in her group.
Wherever they are needed, they’ll go to help.
When she was still young and in her prime, Grandma A-chun experienced hard times.
She had to do a lot of labor.
She was the poorest in her village because she became a widow when she was close to forty and had to toil hard to support her five children.
In her younger days, my mom had to work very hard. Do you know how much she earned?
NT$20 (less than US$1) for a day’s work and she had to raise five kid on that.
She had to go out before dawn to harvest peanuts and garlic for people.
Do you know how they harvested rice back then?
(The machine they used) was the foot-operated kind.
She had to leave around 3 or 4 a.m.
She didn’t just work during the day but even in the middle of the night.
Her children saw how hard she worked and knew all the things she had to do to support them so all of them behaved and were self-disciplined.
Now, they all have their own careers.
More than twenty years ago, she learned about Tzu Chi and became a regular donor, and over a decade ago.
She went to live with her children in Taipei to give them a helping hand.
At the time, she happened to encounter a Tzu Chi volunteer and started doing recycling work.
This was over a decade ago.
She started doing recycling work and it made her very happy.
When she returned to Yunlin County, she continued to do recycling work there.
She even encouraged a group of elderly people around her age to do recycling work with her.
If not for Tzu Chi, if not for this recycling work for us to do, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
Being old and not having a job.
I’d only be able to stay home and be bored and sleep all the time. It wouldn’t be healthy.
So, we’re very grateful to Master.
We just heard Grandma A-chun say she’s very grateful.
She has set a good example for our future generations.
The recycling work she does also conserves natural resources for our future generations by not letting our resources go to waste.
(This group of elderly bodhisattvas and)
(the efforts they’re making for the greater good)
(make them the most useful people)
(who’re making great contributions to our society)
(So, their lives have great value)
Some old people say:
I’m old. How can I possibly be of use?
We should never underestimate what we can do
We can still be of use even though we’re old.
We can still make use of our lives o do things to benefit our land.
So, (recycling gives our life greater meaning & value)
(Though doing recycling work)we can also purify our heart and mind
These elderly women are truly good models for others
Aren’t these elderly bodhisattvas adorable?
At home, their grandchildren would respect them as a living bodhisattva (for their noble work)
What a meaningful life.
They’re willing to contribute themselves to the very end of their days.
They have a very pure and simple heart.
They never think:
“Why am I doing work that no one pays me for?”
“Why work all day like this? What for?”
They never have such thoughts
(So, why do they do this?)
They do it out of gratefulness and love.
They all know to be grateful.
This Grandma A-chun has a wish.
Her wish is for me to personally certify her as a Tzu Chi commissioner.
She is seventy-five years old and is now going through training to become a Tzu Chi commissioner.
But in a video, I saw her asking me:
I would like to be a Tzu Chi commissioner but it’ll be hard because I don’t know how to read.
People said that it’ll be a problem because I would need to (record down) donations in the donation book and hand in the book.
Since I can’t read, I cannot (write down) the information in the donation book.
So, I won’t be able to do this part of the commissioner’s work.
I’d like to ask Master if I can still be a commissioner despite not knowing how to read?
If Master says yes, then I will go for it.
If not, then I won’t become a commissioner.
It’s not a problem if she can’t read.
Knowing life’s principles is what’s important.
See, isn’t Grandma A-chun a person who really understands life’s principles?
After she completes all the training courses, I will personally certify her as a commissioner.
She has been donating to Tzu Chi for more than twenty years and has been a recycling volunteer for over then years.
She’s more than qualified.
So, her not know how to read is not a problem.
(She can talk to people) and her words can teach them life’s principles.
(With her conduct) she is also a role model for younger people.
She really understands life’s principles.
Some people only know the principles, but (can’t apply them in real life)
They can talk about life’s principles, but they have trouble getting along with others.
But this grandma (is a good person who treats people right)
(and does the right things)
She’ someone who truly understands life’s principles.
So, it’s not a problem if she can’t read.
As long as one is a good person who can discern what’s right and does it---that’s being a person who knows life’s principles.
So, Grandma A-chun was already qualified to be a commissioner over ten years ago.
See how she worked so hard to raise her children.
Her virtue and character as a mother already makes her an exemplar.
She truly deserves praise
So, we should make good use of our time every day (to do good)
Her whole family is involved in Tzu Chi.
Two of her daughters are already commissioners and she herself is training to become a commissioner.
Her sons and daughters-in-law also participate in Tzu Chi’s recycling work.
She has a big family. Every month, her grandchildren, sons, daughters-in-law, daughters, and sons-in-law would come to visit her.
See, she used to be the poorest in the village.
Now, her family is a model family in their village because of their filial piety.
They are truly a model family.
Their ways are very touching to see.
If every family in society can be like this, wouldn’t our society be a most harmonious society?
Grandma A-chun─the Happy Recycling Volunteer
“Grandma A-chun, where are we going?”
“We’re going to Siluo”
“to do recycling work”
“Do you all get together every day”
“and then go do recycling work?”
“Yes”
“We want to keep the earth clean”
“so we all like doing recycling”
“Money will one day be sued up, but merits will not”
“It’s better to do good deeds”
“and leave merits to our children than money”
“If they’re not frugal, they’ll spend all the money”
“It’s not good”
“I’m the happiest person”
“so I need to be grateful”
“In a tea party where people sit outside”
“in the courtyard and talk about happiness”
“I’m the happiest person”
“I would tell them that I’m he happiest person”
“I really need to be grateful.”
“My children grew up to be good people”
“I also need to be grateful to them”
“for being so filial”
Who is the happiest and most blessed?
It’s those who give of themselves.
Joy and happiness come from the mindset of giving of ourselves willingly.
Indeed, those who have love for others are the people with the greatest happiness.
In the footage, we saw a large group of elderly recycling volunteers---
“grass-root bodhisattvas”
They all live in Yunlin County and most of them are in their sixties or seventies.
They all got involved in recycling thanks to Grandma A-chun, who is herself age 75.
She’s the one who organized them.
Grandma A-chun does all kinds of volunteer work, not just recycling work.
She’s also our culinary volunteer and volunteers in Tzu Chi’s hospitals.
Wherever there’s a need, she will organize a group to help.
There are over then, twenty people in her group.
Wherever they are needed, they’ll go to help.
When she was still young and in her prime, Grandma A-chun experienced hard times.
She had to do a lot of labor.
She was the poorest in her village because she became a widow when she was close to forty and had to toil hard to support her five children.
In her younger days, my mom had to work very hard. Do you know how much she earned?
NT$20 (less than US$1) for a day’s work and she had to raise five kid on that.
She had to go out before dawn to harvest peanuts and garlic for people.
Do you know how they harvested rice back then?
(The machine they used) was the foot-operated kind.
She had to leave around 3 or 4 a.m.
She didn’t just work during the day but even in the middle of the night.
Her children saw how hard she worked and knew all the things she had to do to support them so all of them behaved and were self-disciplined.
Now, they all have their own careers.
More than twenty years ago, she learned about Tzu Chi and became a regular donor, and over a decade ago.
She went to live with her children in Taipei to give them a helping hand.
At the time, she happened to encounter a Tzu Chi volunteer and started doing recycling work.
This was over a decade ago.
She started doing recycling work and it made her very happy.
When she returned to Yunlin County, she continued to do recycling work there.
She even encouraged a group of elderly people around her age to do recycling work with her.
If not for Tzu Chi, if not for this recycling work for us to do, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
Being old and not having a job.
I’d only be able to stay home and be bored and sleep all the time. It wouldn’t be healthy.
So, we’re very grateful to Master.
We just heard Grandma A-chun say she’s very grateful.
She has set a good example for our future generations.
The recycling work she does also conserves natural resources for our future generations by not letting our resources go to waste.
(This group of elderly bodhisattvas and)
(the efforts they’re making for the greater good)
(make them the most useful people)
(who’re making great contributions to our society)
(So, their lives have great value)
Some old people say:
I’m old. How can I possibly be of use?
We should never underestimate what we can do
We can still be of use even though we’re old.
We can still make use of our lives o do things to benefit our land.
So, (recycling gives our life greater meaning & value)
(Though doing recycling work)we can also purify our heart and mind
These elderly women are truly good models for others
Aren’t these elderly bodhisattvas adorable?
At home, their grandchildren would respect them as a living bodhisattva (for their noble work)
What a meaningful life.
They’re willing to contribute themselves to the very end of their days.
They have a very pure and simple heart.
They never think:
“Why am I doing work that no one pays me for?”
“Why work all day like this? What for?”
They never have such thoughts
(So, why do they do this?)
They do it out of gratefulness and love.
They all know to be grateful.
This Grandma A-chun has a wish.
Her wish is for me to personally certify her as a Tzu Chi commissioner.
She is seventy-five years old and is now going through training to become a Tzu Chi commissioner.
But in a video, I saw her asking me:
I would like to be a Tzu Chi commissioner but it’ll be hard because I don’t know how to read.
People said that it’ll be a problem because I would need to (record down) donations in the donation book and hand in the book.
Since I can’t read, I cannot (write down) the information in the donation book.
So, I won’t be able to do this part of the commissioner’s work.
I’d like to ask Master if I can still be a commissioner despite not knowing how to read?
If Master says yes, then I will go for it.
If not, then I won’t become a commissioner.
It’s not a problem if she can’t read.
Knowing life’s principles is what’s important.
See, isn’t Grandma A-chun a person who really understands life’s principles?
After she completes all the training courses, I will personally certify her as a commissioner.
She has been donating to Tzu Chi for more than twenty years and has been a recycling volunteer for over then years.
She’s more than qualified.
So, her not know how to read is not a problem.
(She can talk to people) and her words can teach them life’s principles.
(With her conduct) she is also a role model for younger people.
She really understands life’s principles.
Some people only know the principles, but (can’t apply them in real life)
They can talk about life’s principles, but they have trouble getting along with others.
But this grandma (is a good person who treats people right)
(and does the right things)
She’ someone who truly understands life’s principles.
So, it’s not a problem if she can’t read.
As long as one is a good person who can discern what’s right and does it---that’s being a person who knows life’s principles.
So, Grandma A-chun was already qualified to be a commissioner over ten years ago.
See how she worked so hard to raise her children.
Her virtue and character as a mother already makes her an exemplar.
She truly deserves praise
So, we should make good use of our time every day (to do good)
Her whole family is involved in Tzu Chi.
Two of her daughters are already commissioners and she herself is training to become a commissioner.
Her sons and daughters-in-law also participate in Tzu Chi’s recycling work.
She has a big family. Every month, her grandchildren, sons, daughters-in-law, daughters, and sons-in-law would come to visit her.
See, she used to be the poorest in the village.
Now, her family is a model family in their village because of their filial piety.
They are truly a model family.
Their ways are very touching to see.
If every family in society can be like this, wouldn’t our society be a most harmonious society?
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