We invited everyone here to ring the bell together with us to pray for peace for our world for safety for our country for the wellbeing of our society and for everyone to live in peace and happiness in the coming new year
Throughout his life, Dharma Master Sheng Yen, founder of
(teaching Buddhism around the world)
Though very busy, his inner state was that of perfect stillness of the mind when
(the flames of affliction are extinguished)
Master Sheng Yen was born to a very poor family in Jiangus Province of China
At a young age, he saw through life
He became a monk at age 13
(Due to the civil war in
(he joined the army and came to
During that experience, he realized many truths about life and saw through human conflict and strife
After retiring for the army, (he entered the monkhood once more) to seek Truth and enlightenment
He also pursued
(further studies in Buddhism and obtained) a doctorate in Buddhist literature in
I truly admire and respect him for his spirit
(He dedicated himself to spreading the Dharma) his entire life
Wherever I go to expound the Dharma, I never think about how many people would come to listen to my speech or how much money people would donate to me
I've never taken those issues into consideration
All I consider is how I can benefit them when I go there
To spread the Dharma to benefit living beings
(he traveled around the world to expound)
(the Buddha's teachings)
In his 80 years of life, he had
(bore witness to many major events of the world)
He passed away yesterday
Many Buddhists and Dharma masters are all very grieved at the news that such a venerable Dharma master of our times has passed away
However, this is but the natural course of life
His death should serve to remind us that life is impermanent and so we should awaken to the truth of life's impermanence and seize the present moment (to do what is right)
As I saw the words he left for everyone:
"Nirvana is Bliss"---
Isn't that the inner state of utter purity and peace that we often speak of in Tzu Chi
Indeed, this is what we Buddhist practitioners should aspire to--- an inner mind of utter purity with great selfless vows, and abiding by our vows for endless time to come
That's the pure and clean state of mind we should keep while going into the community to serve
This is what the Buddha comes to this world for---to purify people's minds, and guide people to do good and gain joy from it
This is what we should do in the course of our life
So, "Nirvana is Bliss"---
Though we may be very busy, our mind should always be in the state of utter purity and tranquility
Turning to
There aren't many Tzu Chi volunteers in
In winter, there is a large difference between day and night temperatures in
The temperature can drop as much as over 20 degrees Celsius during the night
So, one of our local volunteers suggested that, with it being so cold, they provide those in need with hot food
So, they quickly prepared bean soup and all kinds of food
They brought over steaming hot soup and food to the Madi Abdoun tent area in
The children were delighted at the sight of this
It had been so long since they had had steaming hot soup that was so tasty and nutritious
The children were very happy
Of course, the elderly and women were also very grateful
See, these are the conditions they've been living in since birth
It's truly very heartbreaking to see
Tzu Chi volunteers in
Previously, at their regular aid distributions when it was cold, they'd give out clothes and blankets
Now, they can even give out hot food
How heartwarming that is
Also, around the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, the Gaza Strip has been under aid raids & shelling and many people have been injured
Some injured Gazans were sent to
(
Tzu Chi volunteers also went to the hospital o visit the Gazan patients, giving them thermal blankets and chocolate warming the patients' hearts
So, (learning of that,) the superintendent of the hospital came to see our Tzu Chi volunteers when they visited again
He said that the patients were all very grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers for giving them emotional support and they all felt very respected and loved
So, the superintendent was very grateful as well
I am very grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers for bringing care to people in their time of need no matter how far away these people are They seize the chance and give of themselves wherever help is needed
In life, we may fell helpless about many things that we can't do anything about
We never know when impermanence will strike
However, what we can do is to seize every moment
(and make use of our limited lifetime)
(for the greater good)
That's why I often share with you that we must seize the good resolutions of the moment and hold on to them forever
Doing meaningful things
(that bring good to humanity) is to live out the value of our lives
See how our volunteers so far away in
When we give without asking anything in return, isn't our mind in a state of purity and peace since we ask nothing in return?
See how in a country like Jordan which is a predominantly Muslim country, people of different religions, including Roman Catholics, Christians, and Muslims gathered together along with our volunteers for the Year-end Blessings Ceremony
Holding a light in their palms, everyone prayed with one heart for there to e peace and harmony on Earth and for the victims of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip
They all have a common wish which is that the conflict in the Gaza Strip
(between
See how people with different religious beliefs gathered together in a prayer ceremony
Isn't this a starting point for peace?
So, as long as people do not discriminate between religions, and everyone dedicates themselves to inspiring love in others with sincere piety wouldn't there be peace and harmony everywhere and the world be free of disasters?
So, the pureland isn't far from us---
(The pureland is actually very close at hand)
 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 一代宗師身示寂 寂滅為樂恆清澄 救援拔苦無疆界 人間淨土期現前 法鼓山創辦人聖嚴法師圓寂，享壽八十歲。證嚴上人今天在志工早會上表示，儘管佛教界不捨一代宗師離開，但這就是大自然的法則；從中體悟人生無常，更應該要把握時間，分秒不空過，讓自己的生命發揮最大良能。 佛教界的一代宗師聖嚴法師，二月三號下午四點由於器官衰竭，捨報圓寂，享壽八十歲。以「寂滅為樂」作為最後的叮囑語，聖嚴法師超然的生死觀，一生致力求知弘法，以及推動人間佛教的用心，為佛弟子樹立了實踐人間菩薩的典範。 遠在約旦的慈濟人，定期送上物資、關懷生活困苦的居民，探視受無情戰火波及的傷患，親手奉上溫暖和祝福。儘管宗教種族大不同，大愛仍然跨越了有形的界線，齊聚一堂，共同傳達心中用之不盡的愛。 體悟人生的無常悲苦，就更要把握時間，分秒不空過，讓生命在每一刻都發揮良能。 2009/02/04 |
Regards, Jenny
思慧合十
Today's Jing Si Aphorisms: Do not ask for less responsibility to be free and relaxed- ask for more strength
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