Life Wisdom: Coming Together to Bring Light to the World
“I remember that last February, there were over 1,000 people in Zhonghe undergoing COVID-19 home quarantine. We had to call them every day, but we didn't have enough manpower. My first thought was that perhaps Tzu Chi could give us assistance. From February 20 on, Tzu Chi volunteers made phone calls all morning and afternoon. Then, the number of people under home quarantine increased to more than 5,000. Tzu Chi volunteers made over 20,000 phone calls and even sent best-wishes packages to those under home quarantine. This time, to help with vaccination, Tzu Chi has provided a Jing Si Hall, which has excellent traffic flow and equipment. Also, Tzu Chi volunteers and medical staff members offer attentive service. They also give rice to people to wish them safety and peace, etc. So, nearly 50,000 people in Zhonghe have opted to be vaccinated in the Jing Si Hall. I'm indeed very grateful,” said Lai Jun-da, Head of Zhonghe District, New Taipei City.
I'm truly grateful to our Tzu Chi members for dedicating themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, I've often told myself: "Thankfully, there are Tzu Chi members." Whenever we Tzu Chi members are needed, we always come forth quickly and do all we can to provide aid. I'm truly grateful to our Tzu Cheng members and Tzu Chi commissioners from the bottom of my heart. I'm also very happy to hear that the parents and other family members of some Tzu Chi volunteers are our volunteers, too.
“With the company and guidance of my grandmother, aunt, and mother, my brother and I have joined this big family of Tzu Chi. When I took refuge in Master, Master said that doing good is everyone's responsibility. These words have been imprinted in my heart. I've seen how my family do Tzu Chi's work with great joy, so I'll work harder to do good and form good affinities with more people by sharing my joy with others,” said Zheng Ru-jun, a Tzu Chi Volunteer.
“As I'm relatively young, I'll share Tzu Chi with more young people so they can learn more about Tzu Chi,” said Zheng Sheng-yuan, a Tzu Chi volunteer.
“My aunt is a Tzu Chi commissioner and my uncle is a Tzu Chi volunteer too. My cousin, Mr. Li Ren-yao, is a Tzu Chi collegiate volunteer. When young, he took part in a Tzu Chi's class. He is now a certified Tzu Chi volunteer and has been sparing no effort to guide and care for young volunteers. This is why I've been inspired to receive Tzu Chi's volunteer training. When doing community volunteer work, I found that senior community volunteers truly welcome young people like me to join them. I'll keep giving of myself with enthusiasm. Thank you all,” said Lai Qing-an, a Tzu Chi Volunteer.
Indeed, by doing Tzu Chi's work, one can learn more about Tzu Chi and understand how Tzu Chi members work with one heart for the common good. There is much to be grateful for. Let us keep working hard. I often say that when something is right, we should just do it.
Over the past few days, I've taken part in a few Year-end Blessings Ceremonies here, and in this meeting room, I've heard you all share your experiences. For that, I'm very grateful. After you shared your experiences, I'd say: "What you've done is right. Please keep working hard. What you've done is what we all have to do." There is much to be grateful for.
When we first began our charity work in Taipei, everyone was very dedicated. The building used as our old office in Yonghe was donated by our volunteer, Ms. Shao Cai-xia, in 1995. In 2000, Mr. Lin Zong-ming and Ms. Lian Li-xiang donated their land on Zhongshan Road so we could build a new office there.
When the office was inaugurated on March 8, 2002, Master took part in the ceremony and had a look at the premises. For nearly 20 years, we've cultivated in this cultivation ground, helped many people in nearby communities, and inspired many people to serve as living bodhisattvas. In 2000, there were 192 volunteers. This year, it's 1,132. The number of volunteers has grown about sixfold. We'll keep working hard.
Whenever I mention our volunteer, Ms. Lian Li-xiang, her smile always comes up in my mind. She always wore a smile and also inspired her family to join Tzu Chi. To pass on Tzu Chi's spirit generation after generation, we must let our children understand how we dedicate ourselves to doing Tzu Chi's work.
Mr. Li and other senior volunteers have all passed on Tzu Chi's spirit in their families mindfully. To practice filial piety, we must pass on the good deeds of our parents and also dedicate ourselves to doing good. Indeed, benefiting humanity is how we can create the greatest value out of our lives.
So, we must vow to pass on good deeds. When we do good, our children will be filled with joy. This is how we pass on goodness to them. In all, a family doing good will be blessed. We must pass on goodness in our family, whatever our religion. When we harbor goodness within and follow our religion with genuine sincerity, we will keep doing good despite difficulties.
The Dharma teaches us the true principles of life. No matter what our religious beliefs are, we must harbor goodness within, do good deeds, and practice life's true principles. This is what the Buddha taught. The Buddha came to this world to teach us life's true principles. I'm very grateful that by taking each step firmly, we've been walking the Tzu Chi Path for nearly 56 years.
May we all keep passing on our sincerity and love generation after generation. This is my greatest expectation. There is much to be grateful for. "Thank you" is a catchphrase of Tzu Chi members. As we often say "thank you," naturally we always harbor gratitude within. If we work together harmoniously to do good and benefit people around us every day, we can bring peace and harmony to communities.
Our Jing Si Halls also function like academies, helping to bring peace and harmony to communities. Jing Si Halls are not only cultivation grounds, but also provide various classes. I'm truly grateful to our Tzu Chi volunteers for their mutual encouragement and support. I don't have to worry about them. Contrarily, whenever I visit our Jing Si Halls, our volunteers always give me joyful surprises, and I've said many words of praise to them, such as "Thanks to you," "this Jing Si Hall is very elegant."
Human nature is inherently kind. Our Tzu Chi members are like fireflies that have flown up and have been giving off blinking glows. Indeed, Tzu Chi members have been lighting up hope around the world.
Doing Tzu Chi's work individually or in groups, they've brought lights of hope to many places. Taiwan's area is not large, yet there are many Tzu Chi members here. They've lit up this place. Of course, there are Tzu Chi members in many other places bringing lights of hope to people. Taiwan is truly bright as there are many Tzu Chi members doing good and bringing about hope.
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