人間菩提--人道伸援無藩籬
Humanitarian Aid Transcends National Boundaries
When Tzu Chi started 43 years ago, we had no resources at all.
So, we encouraged people to put a coin into a bamboo bank every day and told them that the money that everyone pooled together could help the poor.
By saving a little every day, people’s daily living wouldn’t be affected.
(So, many people were inspired and) put away 50 NT cents every day in the coin bank.
Because people continue to pool their love together like this, Tzu Chi has been able to carry out its relief work to this day in every part of the world.
Lately, we’ve often heard people talk about the global financial crisis or financial storm.
In truth, what’s worse is the spiritual storm in people’s minds.
Such a spiritual storm of greed, hatred, and delusion constantly rages in people’s minds and that is indeed very worrying.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen many disasters occurring all around the world.
To rebuild places that have been devastated by disaster we must first help people recover spiritually.
Take California in the U.S. for example.
When wildfires occurred in Southern California again in November our volunteers immediately gave out cash cards and blankets to those affected.
(While the material aid was helpful,)
(most important was the spiritual support)
The Tzu Chi volunteers were truly sincere and showed the people genuine respect
Before giving the aid, they comforted the people by speaking to them gently with love and warmly embracing them in their arms.
At the same time, our volunteers also told people the story about Tzu Chi and how it started 43 years ago in Taiwan with people saving a little every day.
Hearing that, a woman named Lisa was very touched.
So, she took home a coin bank with her.
Later, when she went grocery shopping, she told people in the store about the story of Tzu Chi’s bamboo coin bank.
After listening to her, the store owner was very touched and made his contribution by putting coins in Lisa’s coin bank.
Seeing that, several people there in the store followed suit
With that, Lisa became even more confident so she began to solicit donations from her friends and neighbors.
Everyone supported her and donated money.
So, she was full of confidence and joy.
The next day, she went back to our volunteers with a coin bank full of coins
Before she left, she took another coin bank.
The next day, she returned it full of coins again.
She continued to do this for several days.
With a heart full of love, she went around introducing Tzu Chi to people she knew hoping to inspire their love and pool everyone’s contributions together no matter how tiny the amount was because even a penny was helpful.
What’s even more touching was that when Lisa’s daughter saw how Tzu Chi volunteers cared for those affected by the fire she also asked for a coin bank and brought it to her school.
So, both Lisa and her daughter collected donations for Tzu Chi very happily.
Truly, the love we give. Gives people a sense of self-respect
In the face of sudden disaster, we not only provide material supplies, but what’s most important is we help them regain self-respect.
But self-respect shouldn’t turn into arrogance instead, they should give rise to love for others
So, this is how Tzu Chi volunteers care for people all over the world---
Whatever their ethnicity or religious belief, we embrace all with the same spirit of Great Love.
(This is the “mindset of equality” in Buddhism)
In practicing kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, we treat all equally.
In truth, this can inspire live in those we aid.
For example, in Myanmar, out of the 4,000 coin banks we distributed over 700 have been returned full of money.
Apart from donating money the locals also donate their rice.
They put aside some rice every day and put it in a plastic jar or an urn
(to donate to hose in need in their village)
A farmer said that the rice they put aside each day could help those in their village who were worse off than him---
What wisdom he has
With Buddhism being the predominant religion in Myanmar they used to just pray to the Buddha for blessings and pray for the Buddha to keep them safe and well.
After Tzu Chi volunteers went there, (they learned that they had to sow blessings)
(by benefiting others)
Behind the rice seeds that Tzu Chi volunteers gave them, lies their love and care.
(that will last into eternity to come)
Receiving such pure love from our volunteers, the locals in turn give of their love to others by donating money and rice to those in need.
So, one seed can give rise to innumerable seeds.
The rice seeds we gave them have flourished giving rise to golden fields of rice plants and an abundant and plentiful harvest.
Seeing that, I am truly very grateful.
This is an example showing that when there are favorable climate and land conditions and moreover, harmony between people, people’s lives can be restored.
However, recently, we have been hearing people talk about how they will make use of
the shopping vouchers what Taiwan’s government plants to give out soon.
Yesterday, I saw a news report on Da Ai TV about students from Taichung Elementary (talking about how they’ll use the money)
Their teacher asked them to write about what they would do with their shopping vouchers what they would do with their shopping vouchers.
One student very wisely said:
I saw on the news that many charity organizations and orphanages now receive less donations than before because the economy has been slow lately.
So, I want to donate the voucher to them.
Then, you’’ll have no voucher to use.
I talked to my sister and she’ll share her voucher with me.
See, such is wisdom.
How exactly should we use our shopping vouchers?
We should return to an industrious and frugal lifestyle and work hard to cultivate the field of our mind.
(by eliminating greed from mind)
To do that, we must only buy things that we need in our daily life rather than things that we want.
(When we keep having wants)
(our greed and craving will grow)
Everyone, we truly must uphold the spirit of Tzu Chi’s humble beginnings.
Many donors now say:
“The economy is doing badly now,”
“so I’d like to stop donating for the time being”
There are many people like that.
If we can inspire them to continue their acts of love then their Bodhi seed within won’t wither and their Bodhi mind will be nurtured and continue to grow.
(and the donations accrued can help others)
Wouldn’t it be better if this can happen?
So, the present circumstances provide a good opportunity to educate them on this concept.
We must give of our love and when every small donation is pooled together.
Those in need can be helped.
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