The Inner Peace and Joy from Helping Others
人間菩提--造福人間得輕安
Almost three weeks ago, Hurricane Ike hit the
(It has brought much devastation)
(to the state of
The severely damaged areas were truly grim scenes of devastation.
The losses from this hurricane are very great.
Most of the houses were destroyed.
Though some houses are still standing, they don't have water and power.
So, even if the residents go back, they cannot live in their homes.
Therefore, many affected by the hurricane are still staying at shelters
It's also unclear how many people are missing or dead.
For example, on the coast of the
Tzu Chi volunteers have learned that this town has suffered severe damage.
Many other charity organizations are also waiting to go in to survey the damage.
Yet, it wasn't until October 1 that we were able to go in to assess the damage.
When our volunteers went there, like the other charity organizations, they stayed at a temporary shelter.
They were able to feel what it was like s
The members of our disaster survey team include volunteers from Tzu Chi USA Headquarters in
(who came all the way to
as well as volunteers from our Dallas and
They saw scenes of considerable devastation.
It has already been close to three weeks since the hurricane hit.
Look at the aftermath.
The forces of Nature are truly powerful.
What we are seeing doesn't look like the
Seeing its destruction,
(it reminds us to always live with an attitude of)
(vigilance and humble piety)
Mother Nature is very powerful.
So, we have to respect and be afraid of it.
We should always be on the alert.
Life in this world is impermanent.
The land we live on is also fragile.
It cannot withstand the strong wind and rain of such storms.
See how human beings are actually weak and insignificant in the face of Nature.
When we can do good we must seize our time to do it.
If we do that, we'll be able to enjoy its spiritual reward of
(inner peace and joy)
If we don't do good and indulge ourselves in pleasures that pleasure is actually short-lived.
(We can indulge ourselves in pleasure,)
But what does it really bring us?
(We would have nothing to show for our lives)
If, however, we can give of ourselves to help people in need,
then the joy and pleasure we get from it will truly be long-lasting.
Whenever we can do good, we will enjoy great spiritual pleasure.
Around the time that Hurricane Ike struck the
Typhoon Sinlaku was ravaging
The devastation was quite severe.
Before the affected areas could be restored in less than a week,
another typhoon formed over the ocean and headed directly toward
That was Typhoon Jangmi.
So, those areas that Typhoon Sinlaku had severely devastated were again hit by the torrential rain of Typhoon Jangmi bringing further devastation.
We also see that our Tzu Chi volunteers quickly went to help the disaster victims.
In
They had to take detours because the bridge and roads were damaged.
They had to take a long trip around the mountain and cross the river to visit the disaster victims.
(They had to navigate over difficult terrain)
Then they had to climb the mountain
(to make their way to the victims)
But as long as there is love in their hearts.
(they'll find a way)
No matter how difficult the roads are,
They'll still go there.
When they reached the people in the mountains who were cut off from the outside,
they asked them how they were doing and whether they lacked any necessities.
Our Tzu Chi volunteers are not afraid of have to work hard.
They took a roundabout route around the mountain, crossed waterways and traveled on foot to reach this place.
So that they can bring supplies to the people which can help see them through the short-term period.
It's the same with our volunteers in
Before the typhoon arrived, they helped the elderly prepare for the typhoon.
After the typhoon, they visited them again to see if they were all alright.
If their house had been flooded or if they had leaks in their roofs, the volunteers would quickly make repairs and clean up the place for them.
So that these elderly can live in safe and comfortable conditions again.
In Yilan, there was also a school that had been flooded.
But the students' studies can't be put on hold.
So, Tzu Chi volunteers dedicated themselves to helping these students by helping to clean the school.
One of the volunteers
(has serious scoliosis and wears a back brace)
Yet she still came to help.
"You're in pain, but you still come."
"It's nothing"
I'm grateful I can help.
(so students can resume school)
All Tzu Chi members are like this.
They dedicate themselves without minding the hard work.
When you say, "It's very tiring work"
They'd say: "It's fine. I'm grateful to be able to help"
The reason we can help is because we are safe and well.
From this perspective giving of ourselves brings us great enjoyment.
This enjoyment isn't like the enjoyment from indulging yourself.
For instance, when you drink alcohol, when you're drinking, you are happy.
But after you are drunk you might do things that you come to regret.
So, is there really true happiness from it?
Actually, it brings a lot of troubles.
But, if someone is in need and we go to help that person will be grateful to us and we ourselves, in giving, are also grateful that feeling where each are grateful to the other isn't that a really blessed thing in this world?
We really should work for the good of the world.
That is what gives us true peace, everyday and it is what creates a peaceful society and helps to minimize disasters in the world.
So, we really should give of ourselves.
|
2008-10-05 20:23:24 |
首播 每日
Regards, Jenny
Today's Jing Si Aphorisms: If we do not seize the present moment, we will always look back with regrets and hence lose sight of our furture.
今日靜思語:放棄現在, 就會後悔過去, 迷失未來.
No comments:
Post a Comment