人間菩提--以慈啟智修福慧
Compassion Giving Rise to Wisdom -- Tzu Chi's Aid Mission in Haiti
Although Taiwan is not very big, with population of only around 23 million, there are many living bodhisattvas here.
Recently, we’ve been (preparing our winter distributions)
Tzu Chi volunteers al around Taiwan have been packing relief goods for low-income families and those in need (whom we’ve been giving monthly aid)
If they can come to the distribution, we’d give them the relief goods then
For those who connot come, we’ll deliver the goods to their homes.
For some elderly care recipients, we would also hold a simple “reunion meal” with them.
So, around the time of the Chinese New Year, we can see people coming together like one big family.
Throughout different parts of Taiwan, our volunteers would help the elderly and children (at the distribution site) and treat them like family. It was very heartwarming.
Tzu Chi volunteers do not think of all this as hard work but consider it a blessing.
This is what we’re doing in Taiwan.
We should all help other people with willingness, gratitude, respect, and love.
Indeed, having loving-kindness, we have no regrets because we can see that (our efforts) have enabled people to (gain what they need)
In giving of ourselves to help them, we harbor no regrets.
This is the meaning of them phrase:
“With loving-kindness, we have no regrets”
With great compassion, we have no complaints
For the sake of helping people out of suffering and hardship, we’re very willing to take on the work
No matter how tiring the work is, we have no complaints, only willingness
It is our wish to help these people. So, no matter how hard the work is, we do not complain about it.
This is the meaning of:
“With compassion, we have no complaints”
See, we not only hold aid distributions in Taiwan, we also do it in other countries as well.
Look at Haiti. To carry out charity work in Haiti is indeed full of challenges.
On Jan. 15 and 16, we conducted two aid distributions in Haiti.
The first distribution was held at an elementary school in Port-au-Prince.
Today in Haiti, we completed our second distribution.
It was very successful
Our volunteers distributed aid to around 1,400 families yesterday (Jan. 15)
Today (Jan. 16), they will be distributing aid to around 1,800 families.
(In conducting aid in the poor neighborhood,) our Tzu Chi volunteers have to be very cautious.
Even though it’s difficult, with the love and determination of our volunteers, and with the Four Immeasurables Minds of loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity, they overcame the obstacles and turned this rocky path into a smooth one.
From the information that they sent me, a lot of people came to receive the aid, but the site couldn’t hold so many people.
Those waiting outside started worrying that they might not receive the goods.
So, some became restless.
Fortunately, there were UN peacekeepers the security personnel of the company OECC and local police on site maintaining order so the distribution went smoothly and was completed successfully.
When our volunteers were leaving, they said that the local people were very grateful.
When they were leaving, the local expressed sadness at seeing them go.
(They saw our volunteers off, with some standing) on the roof and some standing by the road.
All in all, they all waved good-bye to our Tzu Chi volunteers with gratitude and respect.
This time, Tzu Chi volunteers from three countries joined together to carry out the aid distribution.
Everyone involved in the mission felt a deep sense of inner joy.
As I often say:
“with a joyful mind, we have no worries”
There is no worry because living beings have come out of their wrong thinking
As you can see, Tzu Chi volunteers not only show compassion.
(but also promote humanity and love)
Before the distribution began, they first got the crowd involved in songs to lift people’s spirits and bring them joy.
In that moment, their unhappiness due to poverty and feelings of want and desire are all gone.
So, we can see that when living beings have such interactions, the pure feelings of love can be inspired and this love comes from wisdom.
Our volunteers devoted a lot of thought to planning the details of our distribution so that we can imbue it with humanity and spread this spirit to everyone.
As a result, people’s unwholesome thought & feelings disappear.
So, when we distribute aid there, imbuing it with humanity is very important.
For this end, our aid team will strive to overcome all challenges, and inside, they feel great joy.
Despite all the thought and planning required, they don’t feel troubled.
They are filled with peace and joy as they carry out the distribution.
When they present the goods, moreover, they bow to the point that they’re even lower than the recipients.
Their giving is done with great respect.
As I often say, “With equanimity”
“we give without seeking anything in return”
All we hope for is to see people live in security and well-being and to see them let go of unwholesome thinking and walk correctly on life’s path based on right views and thinking.
(This first starts with) our love which wakens our compassion inspiring us to sincerely give of ourselves unconditionally.
As a consequence of that, the recipients are experiencing. peace, security, and happiness.
It is truly a very moving thing.
It’s no wonder that the local volunteers were so happy.
(despite the hard work)
They said they are very happy to be able to do something to help fellow Haitians.
(So, we can see that people in Haiti can)
(open their hearts to work in unity)
It makes me see hope in Haiti. In a word, nothing is impossible to achieve as long as we truly have the heart---the heart of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Having this we can practice the Six Paramitas.
In doing so, we cherish ourselves and others.
To cherish ourselves, we must be disciplined and give without seeking anything in return so that our heart is pure and clean with only love (and no selfish motives)
This is the Four Immeasurable Minds great kindness without regrets. Great compassion without complaints. Great joy without troubles, and great equanimity (without selfish desires)
When we have these Four Immeasurables within, we can make the paths in our world become smooth.
I’m really grateful to our Tzu Chi volunteers now in Haiti.
I’m very grateful to you all
Your joined together form three different countries to spread Tzu Chi’s love and values of humanity
You’ve overcome the obstacles to providing aid in Haiti and have opened the door for further aid.
You’ve truly done a thing of great merit.
I’m very grateful to you for your mindfulness, love, and giving.
It’s a very successful beginning and marks a milestone for Tzu Chi
I’m very grateful and very moved.
Compassion can give rise to wisdom.
Wisdom is awakened because of compassion Tzu Chi’s work allows us to learn numerous truths and Dharma. But, if we don’t go amongst the people to serve it would be difficult for us to understand the suffering in life.
Only when we witness the suffering can our altruism & selfless Great Love be inspired.
With Great Love, we’ll be able to develop wisdom.
Everyone, this how we cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
I’m truly grateful.
(I could never finish speaking on this)
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